Dash support brace #483225

[Wallington]

More for conversation than anything groundbreakingly of interest. I'm referring to the strengthening bar that rivets behind the main cluster area of dashtop edge.

I've always seen it in diagrams, never really noticed it otherwise as not a common photo angle to be shown. It appears in all years of documents, at least the 1970 and 1980 Assembly Manuals and both 67-76, 76-81 Parts Manuals, even though it appears more like a later revision to aid in sagging dash sections years later. I checked a few of my saved pics, can't make it out, perhaps painted and blend in, whereas the pic below has been clearly added after paint and stands out.

My own vehicle, modified to RHD, doesn't have it. I haven't inspected why, perhaps not required and they used those tabs for extra mounting points once removed.

Any thoughts, perhaps to aid in all the weight of the dash and instrument panel in that area, but perhaps moreso during assembly when less support or components removed below for periods of time? Would have thought a simple strap type bracket that forms to the dashtop and onto firewall would offer more support, this riveted piece tends to only keep that area straight, but not from sagging. Perhaps it is because they have almost skipped a locating point above the steering column, or perhaps these were assembled with all gauges already in dash and limited access when hung?

Firebird dash cowl diagram by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird dash strengthening support 483225 by Ben, on Flickr

[wheels78ta]

These are from my dash area.

When I install the dash I'll get some pics of it right above where that bracket is.  The tabs that the support is riveted to is fairly weak and easily bendable.

[tinpusher]

 I don’t recall seeing that strap on my 74 or 79 at all, very interesting.

[Wallington]

Good pics, so yes, it blends in fairly well if painted the same as dash. Hard to see in any of the saved photos, of albeit poor quality, that i have of cars with dash removed.

[FormTA]

I've seen those on my cars but never put much thought into their purpose.  I may have some photos of them in my 79 Formula.

This is the only one I could find. Your image is much better. This one is from when I cut the roof off of my formula. You have to zoom in to the left to see it.

[roadking77]

I figured it was a clip of sorts to anchor the dash pad?

[Wallington]

I had to double-check, nope, mine removed. Possibly 40+ years ago when it had custom fibreglass dash installed. Had a look at some old pics and shows the leading edge is fairly fat there, possibly fouled up on that brace. Looking at pics of mine and the above pics you can also see mine has the longer tab extension removed, possibly same reason, who knows, but also the two larger holes added along the front edge for new dash.

Firebird dash metal area no support brace (2) by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird dash metal area no support brace (3) by Ben, on Flickr

[FormTA]

Interesting. It 8s probably due to the left hand conversion. What's with the relays? Power window direct battery conversion?

[Wallington]

Yep, power window relays that sit behind the relocated glovebox.