Clarification question: what is the dash panel as compared to the instrument panel?
The Shop Manual references both the “dash” and “instrument” panels. In my lexicon, those are the same thing. But looking at the context in the manual, I suspect that “dash panel” is what I would commonly refer to as the firewall and “instrument panel” is the interior panel that hosts the gauges, various switches & controls, ash tray, radio bezel, and glove box.
My take on it that the vinyl padding is the dash pad.
The filler panels in the dash pad are the dash panels.
The panel in front of you with the various gauges is the instrument panel.
A little trivia on how the dash board name evolved.
During the horse & buggy days when the horse was going fast at a “dash” it would kick up dirt/mud on the buggy riders. So, they installed a panel/Board on the front of the buggy to keep the mud/dirt off the riders. Which was called a “Dash Board” or “Dash Panel”.
Cliff?? Cliff Clavin, is that you??
(I jest…I love little nuggets like that.)
dash/dashboard= entire panel,everything below windshield and above your feet(except steering column)
dash pad=soft vinyl part on top
instrument panel/instr cluster=part that has all the guages
to add to why its called a dash board, i heard a story that it got its name after someone commented about the "dashing"appearance of the front of an oldsmobile in the late 1890’s.which was a very elaborate piece of woodworking for its day.
Had to run out earlier, but here are some examples -verbatim- from the Shop Manual -
Pg 2-36, Torque Limits table:
Master Cylinder to Dash Panel Bolts | 18-25
Brake Pedal Support Bracket to Instrument Panel | 9-23
Pg 3-57, Torque Limits table:
Steering Column to Support Bracket (Instrument Panel) | 15-20
Seal Retainer to Dash Panel | –
sounds like ford is calling the firewall the dash panel and the sheetmetal structure( of what we call the dash) the instrument panel
I am in agreement with this description. I guess the shop manual see it differently by the torque specs on the bolts listed in the other post. As far as the trivia, that is neat thanks for sharing that little tid-bit.
Steven
I once used the word dash panel while working with a bunch of Chrysler Instrument panel (IP) engineers. They all stopped working and looked at me like I had a horn growing out of my forehead. Convinced that I was indeed and idiot they told me"We haven’t built a car with a dashboard since 1915".
