The Ford Barn

Ruth · 02-24-2019, 05:28 PM

Can anyone enlighten me as what this hole in my dash rail is/was for? I believe it is "factory" because I have seen it in some other but not all '30-31 dash rails.

Synchro909 · 02-24-2019, 06:19 PM

I don't think the hole is original. It is too irregularly shaped (not round). Most likely some one, some time installed a switch there - maybe wipers?

WHN · 02-24-2019, 06:41 PM

We have one just like yours on the drivers side. Windshield wiper switch. I don’t believe it was done at the factory. Enjoy.

Ruth · 02-24-2019, 07:32 PM

Thank you for your responses and I would tend to agree with you both except I have seen the same hole in the same location in other Model A dash rails. Just yesterday I saw the same hole in the dash rail of a '31 AA Truck.

I do have one on the drivers side for the wiper switch and that one was obviously drilled sometime before me. But this one appears to be stamped. And why on the passenger side/

Charlie Stephens · 02-24-2019, 07:39 PM

Definitely not original. How about a hole for a push button starter?

Charlie Stephens

Oldbluoval · 02-24-2019, 07:42 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Extra as to starter it looks to be on passenger side for US car
Unless u are redoing, go to hardware and get a plastic/rubber grommet and forget it
IMHO

jrelliott · 02-24-2019, 07:48 PM

Cigar lighter. Now you could wire it as your electrical outlet for usb port.

Tacoma Bob · 02-24-2019, 07:51 PM

Had two in my 30 ccpu in 1968. One for for the wiper switch and the other was for a hi beam indicator. Welded em up an moved on.

bucket-o-rust · 02-24-2019, 08:53 PM

I have three dash panels laying around with similar holes. I do not think the dash panels had any extra holes when they left the factory. I suspect switches and starter buttons of all kinds over the years. The hole to the far right is odd but it could of been on a right hand drive car at one time.

Ruth · 02-24-2019, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucket-o-rust

I have three dash panels laying around with similar holes. I do not think the dash panels had any extra holes when they left the factory. I suspect switches and starter buttons of all kinds over the years. The hole to the far right is odd but it could of been on a right hand drive car at one time.

I agree but the thing that baffles me is I have seen others in almost exactly the same place and same size. One just yesterday!! That is what prompted me to ask.

Oh well. I guess it stays. It has been there since I bought the car and the woodgrain is still too nice to redo.

Marvin/TN · 02-24-2019, 10:32 PM

me to and I know mine wasn't factory and it did have a wiper Sw installed in it, mine is on the drivers side

Dick Steinkamp · 02-24-2019, 10:35 PM

I'll bet there are VERY few dash rails around today without an extra hole or two. My 3 owner Tudor had one on the drivers side that an aftermarket headlight switch occupied. Probably easier to put that switch there than to fix the original.

Mike V. Florida · 02-24-2019, 11:44 PM

The only holes in the dash from the factory were screw holes.

CHuDWah · 02-25-2019, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

Can anyone enlighten me as what this hole in my dash rail is/was for? I believe it is "factory" because I have seen it in some other but not all '30-31 dash rails.

Any evidence of an aftermarket heater ever having been installed? Those usually were placed on the passenger side because there wasn't room on the driver side. The hole could be for the fan switch - would have been simpler to put it on passenger side than to run wiring to driver side.

Joe K · 02-25-2019, 08:14 AM

Mice?

Joe K

WHN · 02-25-2019, 08:27 AM

Toggle switches have standard mounting hole sizes.

1/2 inch for most. If your hole is that size, mostlikely cut for a toggle switch.

I had a Model A years ago that did not have a working key. Someone had just put a switch in dash to turn car on and off. Enjoy.

Badpuppy · 02-25-2019, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe K

Mice?

Joe K

Yes. Mice. Definitely mice. From planet Ersatz.

Joe K · 02-25-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badpuppy

Yes. Mice. Definitely mice. From planet Ersatz.

After the commentary about toggle switches "Mice of technical ability" came to mind.

Joe K

100IH · 02-25-2019, 03:43 PM

Switch-hitter mice, Carbide teeth. I swear, seems like no one own any books anymore. This a problem for "Model A as Henry Built It. Wonderful factory pictures of most all body types including interiors. It's a must have book and should be purchased before even shopping for a car, else how would you know?

30 Mike · 02-25-2019, 04:48 PM

Ha Ha , i have you beat my 30 pickup had one on each side left was a? Right had a heater fan switch in it! welded both in.

Ruth · 02-25-2019, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

Toggle switches have standard mounting hole sizes.

1/2 inch for most. If your hole is that size, most likely cut for a toggle switch.

I had a Model A years ago that did not have a working key. Someone had just put a switch in dash to turn car on and off. Enjoy.

Thanks for the helpful suggestion. The hole is .640"

02-24-2019, 06:19 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,495	Re: Hole in dash. I don't think the hole is original. It is too irregularly shaped (not round). Most likely some one, some time installed a switch there - maybe wipers? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

02-24-2019, 06:41 PM	#3
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,817	Re: Hole in dash. We have one just like yours on the drivers side. Windshield wiper switch. I don’t believe it was done at the factory. Enjoy.

02-24-2019, 07:32 PM	#4
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,336	Re: Hole in dash. Thank you for your responses and I would tend to agree with you both except I have seen the same hole in the same location in other Model A dash rails. Just yesterday I saw the same hole in the dash rail of a '31 AA Truck. I do have one on the drivers side for the wiper switch and that one was obviously drilled sometime before me. But this one appears to be stamped. And why on the passenger side/

02-24-2019, 07:39 PM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,030	Re: Hole in dash. Definitely not original. How about a hole for a push button starter? Charlie Stephens

02-24-2019, 07:42 PM	#6
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,370	Re: Hole in dash. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Extra as to starter it looks to be on passenger side for US car Unless u are redoing, go to hardware and get a plastic/rubber grommet and forget it IMHO

02-24-2019, 07:48 PM	#7
jrelliott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pine, AZ Posts: 794	Re: Hole in dash. Cigar lighter. Now you could wire it as your electrical outlet for usb port.

02-24-2019, 07:51 PM	#8
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,025	Re: Hole in dash. Had two in my 30 ccpu in 1968. One for for the wiper switch and the other was for a hi beam indicator. Welded em up an moved on.

02-24-2019, 08:53 PM	#9
bucket-o-rust Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: visalia calif Posts: 263	Re: Hole in dash. I have three dash panels laying around with similar holes. I do not think the dash panels had any extra holes when they left the factory. I suspect switches and starter buttons of all kinds over the years. The hole to the far right is odd but it could of been on a right hand drive car at one time.

02-24-2019, 10:32 PM	#11
Marvin/TN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN area Posts: 832	Re: Hole in dash. me to and I know mine wasn't factory and it did have a wiper Sw installed in it, mine is on the drivers side

02-24-2019, 10:35 PM	#12
Dick Steinkamp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,163	Re: Hole in dash. I'll bet there are VERY few dash rails around today without an extra hole or two. My 3 owner Tudor had one on the drivers side that an aftermarket headlight switch occupied. Probably easier to put that switch there than to fix the original. __________________ All steel from pedal to wheel

02-24-2019, 11:44 PM	#13
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Hole in dash. The only holes in the dash from the factory were screw holes. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

02-25-2019, 08:14 AM	#15
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Hole in dash. Mice? Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

02-25-2019, 08:27 AM	#16
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,817	Re: Hole in dash. Toggle switches have standard mounting hole sizes. 1/2 inch for most. If your hole is that size, mostlikely cut for a toggle switch. I had a Model A years ago that did not have a working key. Someone had just put a switch in dash to turn car on and off. Enjoy.

02-25-2019, 03:43 PM	#19
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: Hole in dash. Switch-hitter mice, Carbide teeth. I swear, seems like no one own any books anymore. This a problem for "Model A as Henry Built It. Wonderful factory pictures of most all body types including interiors. It's a must have book and should be purchased before even shopping for a car, else how would you know?

02-25-2019, 04:48 PM	#20
30 Mike Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 43	Re: Hole in dash. Ha Ha , i have you beat my 30 pickup had one on each side left was a? Right had a heater fan switch in it! welded both in.

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