Dash/cowl
 

greetings everyone... just a couple quick questions if i may, i noticed that the dash/cowl piece on my 1250 is made of fiberglass..is this true for other models also?? i ask just because i work in the industry [unfortunately] and is this something i should make a mold for? they seem hard to find, and OVERPRICED...also, does anyone know if the duro tires are true to size?/ i have heard the deestones tend to run small. thanks

Most have the fiberglass dash. Late 60s and 70s models.

The fiberglass dash first appeared on 1X4/5 series. The 1X6/7's, 1X8/9's, and the Quiet Line series tractors also had fiberglass dash covers.

I don't know what the later tractors used.

Keep in mind that each series tractor had, it's own style dash.

I think reproduction dash covers would be a great idea.

well thats what i was kinda wondering..i have been in fiberglass molding, repair, and production for almost 10yrs now..open molding to L.R.T.M [resin transfer molding] and infusion....so, as long as i had an exact pattern to build an mold from..well thats all...and the gel-coat, resin, and glass for those parts plus labor couldnt be more than 60-80 bucks....???? the one on my 1250 has some crazing and cracking but not bad enough that it cant be repaired...just feel for those guys looking at replacements for over 100-150$

Would like to have a new dash also. I don't think I am alone. Keep us posted if you are going to make some. Mark

will do for sure..keep me posted if others would be interested also...thanks

I need one for my 126 and they are impossible to find in good shape it seems so i would be in!

I too would be interested. I have a 125 and a 1000 that both need either repaired or replaced. I know that if you wanted to make them MANY of us members would purchase them! YES PLEASE! :beerchug:

I know I'd be up for one for my 1000 for sure. And maybe even one for a 1*50 if I ever get one again

I wish more companys made aftermarket parts for the Cubs like they do for the green ones.

I can see a market for them as well as the plastic for the Cyclops tractors. :bigthink:

Since these old ironsides tend to live on and on, I'd bet the market for more fragile parts like the glass dash will only continue to grow.

NOW, if someone could find the tooling for the aluminum dash trims. I paid almost as much for an NOS replacement as I did for the whole dern tractor. As good a job someone did making them, I just couldn't go with the faux decal replacements.

im on it fellas!! let me see what i can put together, have to research which models are like..problem may be that if there is big differences between models, i will need a pattern to start..i can use an old dash and mold it without damaging it also....so bare with me...thanks..

im on it fellas.. i will do some research to see how many different styles there would have to be, [molds to make] and check into some materials and costs, but reproduction dash covers in sanding/primer gel coat are not far off...keep me posted if others are interested, please..? also, i may need to use/find different styles of dash covers as patterns for molds, can do it without damage...thanks

Mine needs a bit of fixing.....but not replaced, yet.

I do have a NOS dash for a 149 that I paid dearly for. I just need another one for my 109.

Our 149 may need a dash also so I'm all ears here also.

+2 for the Cyclops plastic. I have a 1641 with a broken nose.

Personally, I would like a QL "blank" dash without holes. I could see a market for replacement panels for any of the plastic crap, maybe out of heavier fiberglass?

i can make them as thick as you want, and definitely dont need to do the holes. would have to build a router jig to get all the cut outs right anyways.. im going to try to pull the dash off of 1250 and make a mold for it..only thing is, that the backside/underside wont be perfectly smooth, as i was going to open mold these for now..otherwise to inject or infuse them, we're talking b-molds and tens of thousands of dollars for tooling...does anyone know exactly how many "styles" there are?? thanks

Ok, well i didnt want you guys to think i forgot, or was just full of s--t, so i finally got to taking mine off and into work (better not need to plow anymore!!) i was talking to the owner about making the tool for it, demand, pricing, etc....long story short; being these were originally produced doing heat press injection molding, the tooling was expensive, but the ability to produce large volumes was easier..since we are a mostly r.t.m, chop, and hand laid shop, the tooling wouldnt be too bad, but i would have to get 75-90 bucks a piece for them to cover costs...then i would have to make a router jig also to cut them...they would be made by hand so thicknesses can vary, depending on what you would want, and they surely wouldnt have to be cut..i added a layed of 3oz mat to the back of mine, just to beef it up some and kill the cracking...sorry for the long post, but if enough are still interested and willing, i will gear up and make a mold....heres what the inside would look like, and they would be made with grey sandable (primer) gel coat...

Looks good I would be interested

Count me in also. Can you make the Quietline and also the 109-169 series?

All i have is a quietline dash fellas, so i would need a part to use as a plug (the pattern on which a mold is made) for any other series...i can make a mold off of them without harm, if anyone is interested??? I wish i could make them for cheaper, but just the nature of things, and i cant really do it in my garage ..

Ironman; do you have any decent quietline dash tins available??

No, I'm sorry, I don't.

i know i bombed this with everything else going on, but does seem some people would be interested in this...problem is i need the actual dash pieces to make a mold off of...so if anyone is interested pm me... i am in a place where i can make these now, IF i have tooling for it...

Update
 

Did anything ever come of this project? I need a new cowl for my 149.

Thanks

I’m ready to help in any way to get these to market. I do have a NOS dash for my 149. Maybe that could help to get a mold done.

I have an NOS?? 126 dash I would gladly loan you for a pattern if need be.
I was going to use it for my 126 resto 2 years ago but when I pulled it from the box and went to fit it I realized (WTF)!!!someone had hogged out all the holes with a dremmel or some other similar tool!!!

1st clue was when the ammeter fell through the hole!!

Few things worse than a sloppy ammeter hole.

Gotta keep an eye on those A holes!

:biggrin2:

Ok so ive not been on here much or at all... i do however still work in a custom fiberglass and fiberglass tooling (mold making) fabrication shop.. we do many kinds of composites.. so i would need a dash or dash's plural to create the shapes unlezs someone wants to cut one on a 5 axis out of model board and send to me..? Someone should coordinate all this and ill make whatever i have too to help.. wd also can pick between LRTM molding which is like the oiginals an "A" side mold and a "B" side mold used together etc etc, or just make an A side and someone can hand lay them chop them etc..? Either way its a start.. im in wi obviously and work in lake mills, so if someone has a shape to donate to the cause i promise i will make a mold and ship it to whoever wants to push this... i would get into the prod but the company i worked for which was 50yr family owned is now private equith bullshit so i vant commit to that, although i wouldnt take it completely off the table....
Plus whatever we use as the original shape/pattern, doesnt mean that its going to be ruined, but it it will need pulling flanges adhered to it etc, but i can with 90 gaurantee it will not be ruined.. obviously would potentially need some body work and paint likely..
I can also make a first article part off of any mold we were to create... just putting thiz out there.. dont want to sound like a bullshiter, just being as transparent as i can..