Holes above gauges?

[jmooner3]

Anyone know what the holes above the gauges in the picture might be for? I've looked at a bunch of members pictures of their dashes and havent seen holes here. Unless there is some rare option I'm missing from this 49 B1B, I'm guessing the previous owner mounted something there and I should fill em.

[Reg Evans]

The P.O. must have installed some after market gadgets there. I would fill them back in or find some really cool after market items to fill the holes again. Nothing from the factory ever went there in my experience.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Reg Evans

[JBNeal]

looks like a good place for some aftermarket turn signal indicator lamps/LEDs...or the mounting holes for a grab iron/cupholder.

[Reg Evans]

Just spotted this photo on Jaker110's string about getting ready for spring.

[HanksB3B]

Hank

[KJ's Dodge]

The hole more on top of the dash is your control switch for the wipers. Most heater/defrost/fresh air systems were options installed by dealers and not the factory, thus the below the dash mounting panel and installation in most of the trucks I have seen on this forum or in person. I would bet that the holes are factory installations for the factory direct purchases. Here is a picture of my dash and I have the documentation to know for certain my truck was picked up in Detroit with the factory heater/defrost/fresh air systems installed. My controls above the gauge panel working left to right: Heater, temperature, air, and defrost. If you don't have the fresh air or defrost option but have a heater, I would guess it would be heater on the left and temp on the right.

It is great to see a few other trucks on here with the heater controls above the gauge panel. I never saw that in Don Bunn's book but I know the previous owner wouldn't have gone to that much trouble to relocate the switches. The location of the holes in the previous posts are right at the same spots on my dash, for my center two controls, so...

KJ

Edited March 7, 2012 by KJ's Dodge

[48Dodger]

jaker110 has the same knobs as well.....I wasn't aware of'em til today....will have to go check my big trucks.

48D

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=31511

[KJ's Dodge]

If any one else has a B1 with the heater controls mounted in the dash above the gauges, I would like to see some more pictures and would be really interested to see others set up like my heavy Dodge with all four controls (heater, temp, defrost, & fresh air), since to my knowledge that is not currently documented any where I have seen.

Thanks,

KJ

[bach4660]

probably not a good idea to be taken pictures while you are driving at 30mph

[Dodgeb4ya]

I'd be more concerned about no oil pressure but happy it's running on an empty tank of gas!

Edited March 9, 2012 by Dodgeb4ya

[jmooner3]

Ha! again you guys come through with the answers! There is not currently a heater in this truck but there is firewall swiss cheese where it once was and I have a heater in my parts truck. Anyone have controls they want to sell?

Another observation I make from your interior pics (thanks for sharing)is your trucks all have the long shift lever with a bend. When I got this truck it had what turns out to be a seized desoto 25" motor. The tranny was a 3spd on the floor with the same Ebrake as in your pics but the lever is straight not bent? Wonder if it's a car tranny?

[Merle Coggins]

The 4 and 5 speed trannies have the shift levers coming up through the floor more toward the front than your 3 speed trans. This is the reason for the bend in the levers.

Merle

[jmooner3]

Thanks Merle! It's a 3speed I think...soo could be the original? There is no sheet steel or boot where it went through the floor. Does anyone have one for sale or know a source? The tranny is just a little fella. Noticed it's leaking oil as it lays on it's side in my garage. Obviously not the way it will sit in the truck. Should I be concerned about seals or once it's upright its OK. Also the Ebrake got oil soaked can I clean it up with brakeKleen or is the band shot?