Monday, March 1, 2010

Dash and Pedal Framework Prototype

I laid out a prototype of the the cockpit arrangement this weekend (made of wood) to determine were the brake pedal and master cylinders would fit as well as the steering column and the instrument cluster.

I'm just going to put all my comments up top with the pictures to follow on the bottom.

The goal was to get the pedal assembly as far forward and as high as possible with out interferring. That puts the center of the brake pedal about 7.5" off the floor and leaves about 1/2" clearance above the mastercylinder (to the dash cover). There's about 1/2" clearance between the back of the pedal and the "firewall" (no fire on the other side) when all the way depressed.

I originally thought that the instrument cluster would have to be centered on the dash, but now it looks like it can be viewed located right behind the steering wheel (where you would expect it to be). In the pictures below, the steering wheel/column is an inch or two lower than it will actually be due to interference with my wood mock-up.

I still need to work out exactly how to build the steel frame, but this is the proper layout of the components such that they are useful and fit.
A few other notes for those that have not read all previous posts: The square hole in the front of the center console is where heat comes in from the heater core. The two crank handles (handles removed) just aft of the dash on center console are the controls to vent heat in or out and to raise and lower the pop-up headlights. The steering column bearing is also setting on the center console for now - it will mount on the dash frame.