Return to the BUILD

“Now you’ll start to assemble the dashboard, adding PCBs that will operate the siren, front lights, and horn. You’ll also a few more details to the cab roof.“

Contents

Parts

Materials: All of the non-electronic parts in this stage are plastic.

NOTE: Save any spare screws left over at the end of each stage of this build. They may be needed in later stages!

Build

Components for the Dashboard & Roof

Assembling the Dashboard

Press the two holes in the tab of the Dashboard Kick Panel onto the matching pins behind the Dashboard, as shown:

Make sure the pins are projecting through to the other side. On my model, this connection was little loose, so I used super glue to secure it:

When these parts are fitted correctly, these two side edges should be flush to each other:

Turn this Dashboard assembly upside down and drop the shafts of two red Push Buttons into these holes, as shown:

Test fit the switches of the Siren/Headlight Switch PCB behind the Push Buttons.

Save the wire ties from these PCBs as they may come in handy to tidy up cables later on:

I took a moment here to operate each of the Push Buttons to check they activated the corresponding switch behind them:

When you are happy with the fitment of the PCB, remove it and apply a little super glue to these two vertical tabs:

Fit the Siren/Headlight Switch PCB back into place, holding it until the glue sets:

Slide the smaller of the two PCBs on the Horn Switch PCB cable through this opening from behind the Dashboard Kick Panel, as shown.

If needed, the two PCBs on this cable can be separated by gently pulling the wiring apart:

Leave the rest of the Horn Switch PCB cable (and the larger PCB) behind the Dashboard assembly:

Assembling the Steering Column

Fit the tab with the pin of the Turn Signal Button into this matching slot in the Steering Column and press the parts together:

The two tabs of the Turn Signal Button should end up flush with the matching notches of the Steering Column. I highly recommend using super glue to secure these tabs into place – just make sure it does not interfere with pushing the button:

Fully insert the smaller PCB of the Horn Switch PCB cable (the one we routed through the Dashboard Kick Panel earlier) inside the Steering Column so the switch on the PCB is located behind the pin of the Turn Signal Button, as shown:

It is a good idea to verify operation of the switch by pushing on the pin of the Turn Signal Button:

Gently bend the two wires of the smaller PCB down into this notch of the Steering Column:

Then, firmly press the Circuit Board Cover into this opening of the Steering Column, capturing the smaller PCB in place as shown.

If necessary, use a little super glue here:

While feeding the wires of the smaller PCB back through the Dashboard assembly, fit this Steering Column into place as shown:

There is a small cutout that the Horn Switch PCB wiring slots into here:

Secure the Steering Column to the Dashboard Kick Panel from behind with one (1) Type E screw:

Turn the Dashboard assembly upside down again and drop the shaft of a Push Button into this hole on top of the Dashboard:

Test fit the larger PCB of the Horn Switch PCB cable by sliding it into these two slots of the Dashboard with the switch on the PCB facing the Push Button.

On my model, the two wires of this PCB were getting caught on the white plastic slot of the Dashboard:

To fix this, I simply snipped off a little of the slot tab with my sprue cutters to make room for the wiring. The small bit you see hanging here was right after cutting and was later removed. I just wanted to share how much I cut away:

Then, I was able to test fit the PCB into place correctly:

Again, it is a good idea to make sure the Push Button successfully operates the switch on the PCB:

If you are happy with the fitment, remove the larger PCB and apply a little super glue inside these two slots of the Dashboard:

Fit the larger PCB of the Horn Switch PCB cable back into place, holding it until the glue sets:

Push the D-shaped pin of the Map Light into this matching hole on top of the Dashboard:

Press the pins of the GPS Display into these matching holes on top of the Dashboard. The pins are different sizes, so this will only fit one way:

Press the pins of the Dashboard Storage Box into these matching holes on top of the Dashboard. These pins are also different sizes, so this will only fit one way:

To give our Dashboard assembly a little more ‘pizazz’, I used my 1mm Liquid Chrome pen to touch up a few things such as the gauge cluster nuts, the controls on the GPS Display, and other bits:

Attaching the Radio Antenna to the Cab Roof

Retrieve your Cab Roof assembly from Stage 11. Press the two pins of the Radio Antenna into the matching holes at this location on the Cab Roof. The pins are different sizes, so this will only fit one way:

If you are curious as to the functions of the various Dashboard buttons, here is what I am told they will operate:

Thoughts

This Dashboard looks nice and I like that we are not having to install any decals on this model! A spare Push Button was included in this stage in case one becomes lost. Also, we did not use the Roof Components C and D in this stage, so keep them safe until later on in the build.

Next Up

 Stage 20 – Jump Seat/Support, Cab Equipment, Front Left Light Cluster/Lenses/Diffusers/PCB, Windscreen Wiper, Mirror