The Custom Fabricated Dash for Our LS3 Defender!

[@realguy268]

Dial gauges are timeless. They always look good. Digital ones will look outdated in like 10-15 years. Everything Looks great. I wish I was as detailed as you when you make stuff.

[@LostCauseRanch]

That’s a good point on the looking dated. Factory tech stuff from 2010ish does look pretty old.

[@douggriffith8435]

I think you are a mechanical/electrical/engineering genius

[@LostCauseRanch]

I don’t know about that, I just don’t mind fumbling around and figuring stuff out haha.

[@olha_bieszczady]

Good job ! My suggestion - visible/decorative seams on the edges of the leather wraping.

[@LostCauseRanch]

That would be classy.

[@Okierover]

That's win. Looks great. The blower motor exposed would have looked good I think. Good job.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Yeah, I think that could have been a neat look too.

[@pgtips6143]

The revised dash looks amazing compared to the original, well worth the pain and time to create it. Regards to the finish look, leather on both side pieces and a painted centre section (body colour). A classic looking dash / dials would really look the part over the easy option of a full digital dash. Keep up the great work, look forward to seeing the next update. 😎👍

[@LostCauseRanch]

Appreciate that, I think you are in line with my vision style wise on it.

[@pgtips6143]

@@LostCauseRanch That’s because Great minds think alike 🤣👍

[@markbielawski]

Oooooh... It looks like shop stairs are coming up soon! 😉 I like the new dash design. I still can't wrap my head around what will happen with the window vents in the front in relation to the taller dash. 🤔 I also like the leather wrapping and am partial to the solid color option. I think if you wrap the whole of the dash and use a thin bit of padding under the leather, you can help reduce some of the rattling that you mentioned. Great job!

[@LostCauseRanch]

Someone has a keen eye on the wood. Are you referring to the bulkhead vents or the window defroster vents for the hvac?

[@markbielawski]

@@LostCauseRanch Bulkhead vents. The ones on the outside under the windshield.

[@stevenmoran4060]

The dash looks much better after trimming down which of course required some “unbending”!

[@LostCauseRanch]

"Unbending" has been a great skill of mine haha.

[@frglee]

I reckon a nice analog Smiths set of gauges would look the business for this vehicle.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Good suggestion, those would definitely look the part.

[@opticaldilusion6381]

It's looking really good so far ! It's hard to decide between the digital and dials. But I think when you said there is much more you can do with the digital dash that would make more sense with your modernized engine

[@LostCauseRanch]

That is the appeal on the digital to me as well. I like the options of all the data and what not. (Plus the install side is cleaner wiring wise).

[@mubangachipoya]

Love the trimmed dash , on the cluster try to do a blend of old and new, let the new for more info be very subtle (should not be an apparent display when landy is not powered on) while the older and major instruments remain classic

[@MJ-qe5lg]

You might want to start cutting in some of the rocker switches and dials etc...

[@GM.master]

nice work 👍 can i ask how can i get the discovery 2 ls swap kit?

[@LostCauseRanch]

I don’t think ACE is selling them anymore, at least to the public. I’ve heard grumblings of some other people trying to develop something similar but I haven’t seen anything just yet.

[@Lucky8]

Leather wrap the dash everywhere don't leave anything exposed and digital gauge cluster.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Fine Corinthian Leather. But yeah the digital dash would have a clean/simple install in there, plus have a lot more to offer feature and info wise.

[@derelict_wanderer]

Speed hut dial gauges with gps speedo capabilities!

[@LostCauseRanch]

They do have some nice options that would blend well style wise.

[@Okierover]

Dials choice? That's a tough choice. I'd probably go with digital that could be customized to look old school.

[@LostCauseRanch]

It is kind of a tough call, pros and cons to both. I really like the classic look of actual gauges, but the function of the digital with the ability to switch layouts and design is very appealing.

[@Stu_2112]

That was totally the right thing to do, it looks MUCH better. In terms of the leather, the mottled, detailed leather looks too fussy, a plainer more uniform colour looks better in my opinion. Also, I think body colour centre stack and leathered sides would look cool. Sorry, lots of opinion there.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I like the opinions, it’s nice to hear outside perspectives. Sometimes you get tunneled into one thought/vision when you are looking at the same thing over and over.

[@Stu_2112]

@@LostCauseRanch I find when working on my Series 2A that I often worry a bit too much about originality and I forget that ultimately it's my Land Rover and I get to build it for my needs, not anyone else's. No two Series Landies or Defenders are the same....so go with what meets your needs best

[@r0cket0710]

Dials all the way.

[@keiththecarguy1967]

Really like the new dash.... please no digital dash! Keep it iup!

[@LostCauseRanch]

Appreciate that

[@jaymac7160]

Go analog have seen aircraft style gauges on us sites will look awesome.

[@roverdogs_keithwhelchel]

OK leather as much as you can. Nice tight seems and stitching to make it stand out on the detail work. Yeah it sucks covering all that sweet looking work but it will look sweet and elegant with the leather. toss up on the gauges though that is a tough one really but you need to look at the other things going in too. Like the radio and heater/ac controls and what about switches for accessories? then there is the contrast of the leather. Just saying that's all

[@LostCauseRanch]

The radio will be a double din screen. HVAC controls and switches will be more traditional in appearance. So the digital option would mesh well with the radio. I’m not worried about covering it all up, I honestly just want it all to look right in there/nothing tacky.