Series 2a dashboard.

[Econ]

Hey guys I have a series 2a 109 Ute can someone please post a photo off what my dash should look like and what all the holes, lights and knobs are meant to do.

Thanks in advance

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[JDNSW]

That dashboard is a bit of a bitza! And I don't think I have ever seen one with chrome plated instrument bezels!

Try this picture.

John

[Econ]

Thanks John that's a good help I might just try clean it up and fill up the holes with blanks and keep a eye out for a original.

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[S3ute]

Hello from Brisbane.

I suspect the bezels have been painted with silver frost or chromebrite.

The hole pattern is not dissimilar to the later S2a dash and with a bit of rearranging with new switches and a few rubber grommets could have it back to near standard fairly easily.

Cheers

[S3ute]

Hello again.

Following on from before - my view is that your present panel is not too badly messed about appearance-wise if you want to retain it in close to original configuration.

The later S2A dash panels had a toggle wiper switch and headlight switch either side of the centre top lamp. The panel light switch (also toggle) goes in the upper right hand hole where the warning light presently is - the warning light can go where the pull out switch is presently sited below that hole. There may be a smaller hole on the right hand side between those two larger holes that on the later S2A had the trip meter reset knob.

The large centre hole would have originally had a light switch and ignition key combination or just an ignition starter switch there depending on the age of your truck. This could be replaced by a new ignition switch - possibly set in to a backing plate if the hole is too big for the standard switch.

I am assuming that the choke control is still in the original lower right hand side position.

That would leave only a few smaller holes which could be filled with either bolts of rubber grommets - or washer switch or additional toggle switches and lights for spotlights, interior light, ejector seat, flamethrower or whatever.

You can see the general layout in this photo of our old farm truck:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/291.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/Karingal_LR_Aug_2008_007_zpszf7cq30x.jpg.html)

Cheers,

[Econ]

Thanks mate that is great the choke is actually under the dash panel you an see it in the bottom right of my picture near the starter button. I have a new ignition/light switch ready to put in the centre hole that is a great help I will start rearranging it with some new switches and lights to make it more original.

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[B.S.F.]

I've got these two instrument panels. At first glance they appear to be identical. However the top one which is a Series 1 panel has got 3/4" warning light holes ,the bottom one has got 7/8" holes. What model does that belong to? Not wishing to hijack this thread but since we're talking instrument panels I thought it appropriate to post here.

[JDNSW]

I'm guessing that it reflects the change from screw in warning lights to snap in, but I can't remember whether that change was at the change from Series 1 to Series 2, or during Series 2 production. Pretty certain they were snap in by the time Series 2a started, as only one type is listed in the Series 2a parts book.

John

[russellrovers]

Hey guys I have a series 2a 109 Ute can someone please post a photo off what my dash should look like and what all the holes, lights and knobs are meant to do.

Thanks in advance

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AULRO mobile apphi ring me i have a s2 all original ready for ebay 145.00 dollors ps with all correct switches also a correct panel 35 dollors plus packing and postage jim

[russellrovers]

That dashboard is a bit of a bitza! And I don't think I have ever seen one with chrome plated instrument bezels!

Try this picture.

Johnchrome bezels are from rover p 4 rover p5 and most british cars

[Econ]

thanks russellrover. i am just going to do up the old one i have decided to put 2 little lights in the holes above the ignition for left and right indicators. i will re arrange it to the right spots and fill the holes in with other lights or switches.

[JDNSW]

chrome bezels are from rover p 4 rover p5 and most british cars

Of course, but not Landrovers!

John

[S3ute]

Of course, but not Landrovers!

John

Agreed.

The instrument cluster has Land Rover on the dial - as before, I suspect that it may have been painted at some stage.

Cheers

[Scallops]

Econ - just do as you say.....use what you have, add indicator lights to the spare holes etc....grommets if no use can be made. Don't worry about pure originality - or the hyperbole. What rivet counters dont often seem to have a sense of is operational vehicles.

If you get the old girl running any time soon, you're ahead of many commentators. All the best with it......if you'de like some help, we're here to help. :)

[S3ute]

Or simply accept the rc advice in the spirit in which it is usually offered.

I don't seem to recall anyone suggesting anything more than was originally asked. What are the holes in this panel for?

Other than, perhaps, the observation that Series Land Rovers rarely if ever left the factory with chrome instrument bezels.

Cheers,

[Scallops]

Seems to me Econ did accept my advice in the spirit in which it was offered....

When one actually gets around to doing a resto, it is my experience that all sorts of advice will crop up regarding bezels, holes, plates etc etc, you name it.....and the restorer often thinks to themselves, shall I find original parts then, or can I use the bits I have here? Yes, the original question had been answered, but I note however, that the OP was still in two minds regarding this.....sort what he has, and/or look around for an original - which was duly offered by another comentator. I'm contributing to this latter part of the discussion.

....I think, in many cases, the best advice when it's not going to necessarily be concourse, is to work with what you have if it's not some essential item that "needs" to be exactly original. Vehicles change over time and that is really part of their history. That was my message, it's a discussion.

[Econ]

Dash is done new ignition and head light switch. 2 yellow flashers left and right so you can see the indicators on. And a cigarette lighter to charge anything and everything.

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[Econ]

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AULRO mobile app

[Econ]

sorry attached now

[JDNSW]

Thinking about the chrome bezels, I guess there are three possibilities.

1. Not original, but swapped off another car of some kind. (similar Smiths gauges were fitted to many 1940s-60s English cars).

2. Smiths ran out of unchromed bexels and painted some to meet Rover orders.

3. It was sold originally as some sort of special vehicle, perhaps for a well heeled buyer, or for use by a prominent person, perhaps even a royal review vehicle, but perhaps only a personal vehicle for the General Manager that the fleet manager got tarted up to earn a few brownie points. The Chrome bezels could have quite likely been available as a special order, even if never listed. Perhaps just part of a special dealer package when sales were flagging a bit.

John

[Lotz-A-Landies]

As was mentioned before the same diameter bezels were fitted to numerous 1950s and 1960's English cars but not always the same profile.

In the 1970s as a teenager my older brother was into Rover P4 90s and 75s while I was into Land Rover. When he moved to rice burners I ended up with the remains of his Rover parts bins and fitted chrome bezels off a wrecked Rover P4 90 onto my 1960 SII 88". It was merely a case of prising up the little tabs a little and rotating them off and swapping them over to the Land Rover instrument cluster and speedo.

I also swapped the L700 headlamps with the PL-700 tripod headlamps.

Pretty sure there were many people who did the same.