Interior - Dash - Defroster

 

A real Lamborghini These photos are from a 6.0 Diablo

 

This is a photo from the 2002 Knott's show of a NAERC car

 

 

Fletch

I purchased these Diablo defrosters from Jason at LamboStuff.com

 

These are photos and comments from other builders about there installation methods.

 

There is a detailed "manual" that Dale has created for you to view (in regards to this section). This instruction manual is on how he built his IFG Phantom Roadster. (click on his logo to visit his web site)

Click here to visit Dale's section on: Chapter 18 - Dash Board & Console

 

Dale Van Blokland

I installed the front dash vents. These will not actually be hooked up to anything but they will give it a more authentic look.

 

 

Endre (Andy) Bujtas

Defroster Duct Pattern
This is the pattern for which the defroster duct will be made from. I decided to have an operational defroster system. However, the small clearance does not allow duct hoses to be used. This is the only way I can see to duct defroster air - by making and bonding an integral duct to the dashboard.


Defroster Pattern
This picture shows how the defroster air will be routed to the defroster registers (grills). The defroster vents are slightly on an angle to match the curvature of the windshield lip.

Out Of The Mold
This is the defroster duct out of the mold, cleaned and painted. You only need to paint the inside since you need an unpainted surface when you bond the duct to the dash.

Defroster Duct Bonded
The defroster duct is then bonded to the front piece with Fiber Strand and fiberglass. I made alignment tools from wood to fit the duct in the proper place. The tool mimicks the defroster duct register (grill). In addition, I bonded some speed nuts so that when the registers will be installed, they will be held in place.

Front Dash Installed
The front part of the dash is now permanently installed. At the fron corners, the piece is bonded and screwed in. A 1 inch steel flat bar is bonded to the underside of the piece and welded to the A-pillar. I also made alignment pins so that the main dash unit will be properly aligned with the front piece. The only thing left to do on this piece is to fill the gaps. In this picture you can also see the defroster duct that was bonded to the front piece.
Designing the Duct
This picture shows the underside of the dash and how the integral duct will be routed. I decided on an integral duct since, in some places, it will be difficult for me to route the 3 inch hoses. All ducts will be slip-fit to the main heater/AC unit plenum.
Making the Pattern
This shows how the dash vent duct pattern is being made. It is made of sections glued together. The areas where the round Diablo vents are inserted area extra deep to accommodate the their depth into the dash.
Pattern Complete
This shows the completed pattern as it fits inside the dashboard. It was painted to provide a smooth surface for glassing. Mold wax is then spread all over the pattern and fiberglass layed over it on a flat (waxed) surface.
Out Of The Mold
This picture shows the heat/ AC vent duct out of the pattern. It is being cleaned up for air holes, etc and is now ready for painting.

 

 
This entire Website is copyright © 2002-2005 by Ron Fletcher. All rights reserved.
Although my information comes from various builders and sources, if you want any information contact me. The photographs used on this site are used with permission, if you want to use any, contact them through the various links on this site. I did and you can see the results!