Billet Dash, for Manx Style, 2 Large, 4 Small Holes, Alum

OVERVIEW

Elevate your dune buggy''s interior to a professional level with the Latest Rage Billet Aluminum Dash Panel, specifically designed for the iconic Manx-style fiberglass body. When you''re building a high-end street tracker or a rugged off-road rail, the dashboard is the focal point of your cockpit. This precision-machined billet aluminum piece replaces the flimsy or plain look of a bare fiberglass dash with a rugged, high-tech aesthetic that screams performance. The brushed finish not only looks incredible against any gel coat color but also provides a durable surface that resists the corrosion and vibrations common in the air-cooled world. It''s not just about looks; it''s about creating a structural mounting point for your vital engine monitors that won''t crack or fatigue over time like plastic or thin-gauge metal alternatives.

At Appletree Automotive, we know that a clean installation is the difference between a "kit car" and a custom masterpiece. This billet dash features a smart, "blind-mount" design with the backside pre-drilled and tapped for 6mm-1.0 studs. This means you won''t have unsightly screw heads or bolt faces marring the front of your beautiful aluminum panel, providing a seamless, "floating" appearance once installed. The layout is optimized for a comprehensive monitoring system, featuring two large apertures for your speedometer and tachometer, flanked by four smaller ports for critical data like oil pressure, cylinder head temperature, voltage, and fuel level. Whether you''re cruising the coastline or climbing dunes, this dash panel ensures your gauges are organized, legible, and securely mounted in the classic center-dash Manx configuration.

FITMENT

• Meyers Manx: Original and Manx II fiberglass bodies.
• Manx Clones: Most "Manx-style" short-wheelbase dune buggy bodies.
• Bounty Hunter: Fits various vintage fiberglass kit bodies with flat dash sections.
• EMPI Imp: Suitable for custom dash modifications on classic EMPI bodies.
• Sand Rails: Can be adapted to custom tab mounts on 1.5-inch or 1.25-inch chassis tubing.
• VW-Based Kit Cars: Universal application for any project requiring a 6-gauge vertical or center-mount array.

SPECS

• Material: High-grade 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum.
• Large Hole Diameter: 3 1/8 inches (3.125") - Fits most standard large speedometers and tachometers.
• Small Hole Diameter: 2 1/16 inches (2.0625") - Fits standard auxiliary gauges (VDO, Autometer, etc.).
• Mounting Hardware Specs: Pre-tapped for 6mm x 1.0 thread pitch bolts or studs.
• Mounting Style: Rear-side blind mounting for a clean front-face finish.
• Hole Configuration: 2 Large Holes (Center) and 4 Small Holes (Periphery).
• Finish: Machined Billet Aluminum (can be polished, brushed, or anodized).
• Weight: Approximately 1.48 lbs.

PRO TIPS

1. Master the Grounding Circuit

Since your dune buggy body is made of non-conductive fiberglass, your gauges won''t ground through the dash panel like they would in a standard steel Beetle. When installing this billet dash, we highly recommend running a dedicated "daisy-chain" ground wire from the mounting studs on the back of the aluminum panel directly to the chassis or a central ground bus bar. This ensures that your gauge lighting and needle movements remain steady and aren''t plagued by the "floating ground" issues that cause flickering lights or inaccurate readings in many air-cooled projects.

2. Perfecting the Fiberglass Cutout

Before you pick up the saw, use the billet dash itself as a template, but remember that the aluminum panel is designed to overlap the fiberglass for a clean edge. Tape the area of the dash with blue painter''s tape to prevent the gel coat from chipping, then mark your holes. We suggest cutting the fiberglass slightly smaller than the aluminum panel''s outer dimensions to allow the billet to "seat" against the body. Always check the clearance behind the dash for your steering column and wiring harness before you commit to the final mounting position.

3. Use Stainless Studs for Longevity

The backside of this dash is tapped for 6mm-1.0 threads. For the best long-term results, especially in salty coastal environments or humid climates, use stainless steel set screws or "all-thread" studs with a small drop of blue (removable) thread locker. By using studs and nuts rather than running bolts from the back, you avoid the risk of cross-threading the aluminum dash every time you need to pull the panel for wiring maintenance. This setup allows the dash to slide on and off the fiberglass body effortlessly during the assembly phase of your build.