Has anybody tried to replace the dash in a 52ish truck? We cut the firewall out to install a Bitchin fireawall and there is rust up under the dash area. I told dad that I would post something....but my suggestion was to blast it and use some POR because it can't be seen. The rust doesn't seem that bad to me, I don't want to get into more that I have to.;)

Bernie

I have not seen an assembly manual on that truck but on a 58 its a tough job. I can't think its much easier on a 52. I would do as you said. clean it out as best you can and coat it. Is it a leak from the cowl?

I appears to be just surface rust, but I still need to take a closer look. From inside the cab the dash looks great, just from the firewall side it is rusty. My gut feel is it is ok, but he wanted me to ask anyway...lol. I know LMC has a dash in their catalog and it doesn't look all the bad, but I am not into doing all the extra work if I don't have to. I already have enough work to keep me busy for a while.

Clean it (if its surface rust) prime and move on why replace things you don't have to. If it has a couple of spots were the rust eat through the metal, why not just cut those sections out and replace them with 18 gauge sheet metal.