Building new dash for 2001 FW Horizon 180

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:01 pm

Here is my progress so far.
Rob
The old VDO dash

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:07 pm

Making the cardboard blank

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:08 pm

Cardboard blank test fit

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:10 pm

Duplicate cardboard blank to 1/8 inch veneer plywood and drill holes.

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:12 pm

The dash wrapped with grey carbon fiber faux vinyl. I used Meguires wrap which was available at the local auto store. It is very heavy and has the texture of carbon fiber with a very easy installation.....peel and stick.

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:15 pm

Now a test fit in the boat. The vacant hole is for my depth gauge which arrives tomorrow. I also have a black trim for the edges of the dash that will trim it out and fill the gaps.
enjoy Rob

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:37 pm

Great job! Looks terrific. Just wondering if you did anything to the plywood to help keep it from delaminating from exposure? Probably don't need to, just wondering.

yrless11 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:03 pm

Looking good! What did you do with the speedo? My h200 has the paddle wheel speedo too, albeit my paddle wheel is long gone. I'm thinking if/when my vdo guage goes out, I'll replace with gauges like you. I would probably go with a pitot tube speedo as a replacement. Great work!

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:17 pm

It looks great, nice work!
My 24 year old gauges still all work, but when I do have to replace em I'll consider something similar.

Giffo · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:00 am

Great job. Looks sweet. On my 2006 H180 I noticed the dash board is not sealed from water which may get behind it and run down on all the wires. I might have a look at placing a seal around the mounting board so as to eliminate this. Could do some damage if salt gets on the wires.

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:40 am

I will be spraying the back with a urethane coating to protect it. I also purchased a rubber gasket that will go between the new dash and the hole to seal it from water.
The new speedo came with the pitot tube and hose so I will be swapping out the old paddle wheel. The depth gauge (Faria digital with air and water temp) is due to arrive today. That will fill in the remaining hole.
I hope to have this all done this weekend.
Rob

ric · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:44 am

Lookin good!!

captkevin · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:49 am

Very nice job. How do the new gauges connect to the existing wiring?

ric · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:06 am

captkevin wrote:

Very nice job. How do the new gauges connect to the existing wiring?

Cut harness plug off, crimp on these thingies

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:44 am

I will have to cut into the existing harness and tap into the appropriate lines to go to the corresponding gauges. Thanks to this board i downloaded a wiring schematic that tells me which wires to use.

www.iFourWinns.com

Building new dash for 2001 FW Horizon 180

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