The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Before I try to fabricate a new instrument panel, I was wondering if there was any vendor that has them already made up.

What year and model airplane?
i.e. 1946, 47, 48, etc., C120, 140, or 140A

I don't know of anyone who manufactures a "new" panel (...maybe Cessna would, at great expense ). That said, and to clarify...are you considering a complete removal/replacement of the entire instrument panel ("post to post")? We're often reminded that the panel assembly is a major structural piece of the aircraft...also, that too much cutting away of existing for additional instruments can reduce important strength. There are many who have achieved impressive & airworthy upgrade "modernization" without a lot of alteration so maybe you'll hear from some here yet. That there are lots of exciting and small/light instruments and packages available and being developed & marketed these days would be an understatement, no doubt we'd all agree. Fun and exciting times! Keep us posted as you explore the possibilities.
Mac

Instead of removing the panel for replacement in its entirety you may want to consider refacing it. I refaced mine with .050 by after removing all the instruments and then scribing from the backside the positions for instruments I wanted to keep. Brake bend a 90 on the bottom and cold form with a soft hammer the rolled edge on the top.

No structural changes are made so a 337 is not needed depending on your AI/AP.

"No structural changes are made so a 337 is not needed..."

Truly outside the box, and looks great & "new". Nice work. ...curious -- what's the effect on weight and balance?
Mac

2066 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:09 pm "No structural changes are made so a 337 is not needed..."

Truly outside the box, and looks great & "new". Nice work. ...curious -- what's the effect on weight and balance?
Mac

Less than a 1/2 pound I would think. We will be doing a new weight and balance soon as new lighter radios were added.

Scott,

Do you have a few more photos of the panel overlay you made? I'm working on a fairly involved rearrangement of my own panel. Do you have some before-and-after photos? Or some photos of how the overlay interfaces with the original panel? Maybe a few shots of the edges? Thanks in advance.

-- Chris B

7757 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 04, 2023 11:22 pm Scott,

Do you have a few more photos of the panel overlay you made? I'm working on a fairly involved rearrangement of my own panel. Do you have some before-and-after photos? Or some photos of how the overlay interfaces with the original panel? Maybe a few shots of the edges? Thanks in advance.

-- Chris B

Here is the before, I removed everything and made sure the front was flush with no protrusions. Then cut a .040 sheet to fit. While holding it in place with a couple celecos I scribed from behind the holes I wanted to retain.