Billet Dash, for Manx Style, 4 Small Holes, Chrome

OVERVIEW

When you''re building a classic Meyers Manx or a custom dune buggy, the cockpit is where you spend your time, and nothing ruins the vibe of a vintage fiberglass body like a cluttered or poorly finished dashboard. This EMPI Billet Aluminum Dash Panel is the definitive solution for enthusiasts looking to bring a high-end, "pro-street" look to their off-road or street-legal VW. Precision-machined from high-quality billet aluminum and finished in a mirror-like chrome, this panel doesn''t just hold your gaugesit serves as the centerpiece of your interior. Whether you''re restoring an original Manx or building a modern sand rail, this dash plate provides a clean, structured layout that eliminates the guesswork of hole-sawing your expensive fiberglass body multiple times, ensuring a professional alignment every single time.

Beyond the stunning visual appeal, this dash panel is engineered for structural integrity and ease of installation. The backside is strategically drilled and tapped with 6mm-1.0 threads, allowing for a "hidden fastener" mounting system that keeps the face of your dash sleek and uninterrupted by unsightly screw heads or rivets. By centralizing your primary 3-1/8 inch speedometer and flanking it with four 2-1/16 inch auxiliary gauges, you ensure that vital engine datalike oil pressure, cylinder head temperature, volts, and fuel levelis always within your line of sight. At Appletree Automotive, we know that the difference between a "kit car" and a professional build is in the details, and this chrome billet dash delivers the fit and finish that air-cooled purists demand for their pride and joy.

FITMENT

• Meyers Manx: Original and Reissue Fiberglass Bodies
• Manx-Style Buggies: All standard fiberglass "Manx Clone" bodies
• EMPI Imp: Fits most EMPI Imp buggy dash contours
• Sand Rails: Custom mounting on flat-panel dash configurations
• Bounty Hunter: Compatible with various fiberglass dune buggy variants
• Deserter & Kyote: Fits many vintage fiberglass T-buggy bodies
• Custom Applications: Any flat or slightly curved surface requiring a 5-gauge layout

SPECS

• Material: High-Quality Billet Aluminum
• Finish: Triple-Plated Brilliant Chrome
• Large Center Hole: 3-1/8 Inch ID (Standard Speedometer)
• Small Auxiliary Holes: 2-1/16 Inch ID (Standard Gauge Size)
• Hole Quantity: 1 Large Center Hole, 4 Small Perimeter Holes
• Mounting Hardware: Backside is drilled and tapped for 6mm-1.0 studs
• Mounting Style: Hidden fastener design for a smooth face
• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Part Number: 16-9835-0
• Weight: Approximately 0.71 lbs

PRO TIPS

1. Dedicated Grounding is Mandatory

Because this billet dash is typically mounted to a fiberglass body, it will not naturally ground to the chassis like a steel Beetle dashboard would. You MUST run a dedicated 14-gauge or 16-gauge ground wire from the back of the aluminum panel or one of the mounting studs directly to a clean spot on the vehicle chassis. Without a solid ground, your gauges may provide erratic readings, and your instrument lighting will likely fail or flicker. Using a multi-terminal ground block behind the dash can help keep this wiring organized and professional.

2. Protect the Chrome During Assembly

The chrome finish on this EMPI panel is exceptionally bright, which also means it can show scratches if you aren''t careful during the install. We recommend covering the entire face of the panel with blue painter''s tape before you begin inserting the gauges. This protects the surface from "wrench slip" or scratches caused by the metal bezels of the gauges as you tighten them down. Once the wiring is complete and the dash is bolted into the car, you can peel the tape back for a pristine, fingerprint-free reveal that looks like a million bucks.

3. Use Anti-Seize on Mounting Studs

When installing your 6mm-1.0 mounting studs into the back of the billet panel, apply a tiny amount of anti-seize lubricant or a drop of blue (removable) thread locker. Because you are threading steel hardware into an aluminum plate, galvanic corrosion can occur over time, especially in humid or salty coastal environments where bug