Overhead control panel for a Snow Trac???

[Melensdad]

BigAl built a really nice overhead control panel in his Kristi KT7. I'm wondering if any one has built one in a Snow Trac? Is there enough room to put one up on the roof and still not interfear with the sun roof operation?

I'd love some input on this if anyone has done it. I think I'd like to remount my Clinometer up there if I can come up with a way to do it, as well as put a CB radio up over head. Originally I wanted to mount both the Clinometer and a future CB under the dash but there really is not enough clearance under the center of the dash because of the transmission shift lever. I even have a nice Blaupunkt radio that would be nice to install, but it won't fit under the dash so that might be nice to put overhead too.

Thoughts?

Here is a photo of what Allen did in the KT7. Clearly there is more room in the overhead area of the KT7 than in a Snow Trac. But I'd love something similar (even if it must scaled down to a smaller size) if there is room. If you've done it, please post a photo. If you have considered it but not done it, why not?

 

[DaveNay]

Can you take a picture from the same point of view in your Snow Trac?

 

[BigAl]

Bob ,
I looked at some old pictures of Snow Tracs and I think you have room . Remember my entry door is in the front where yours is in the back . If you have 3 or 4 inches of clearance from the inside roof to the windshield frame it can be done easily .
Al

 

[Melensdad]

Dave . . . I looked though my file photos on my home computer and don't have any that show the the inner front roof area. And its too darn cold to walk out to the shop tonight to take a photo.

Allen . . . I think I have about 3" vertical from the top of the windshield to the roof, but what worries me is that there may not be enough room from the front edge of the skylight to the windshield.

The Clinometer is small so that will easily fit, but to make it worthwhile I'd need enough room to insert a CB radio, perhaps a stereo radio, and connect the wires up to the backs of them, so I don't know if I have the depth to fit a radio & wiring. Even if I don't have the vertical clearance I could drop it down at an angle to give me a bit more vertical clearance but I can't really fudge the distance between the windshield and the sunroof opening.

 

[BigAl]

Ok .
Most gauges are 2 1/8" in diameter . A tach is about 3 1/4 "
Radio's are usually not over 2" high .A glove box or a shelf for CD's is also doable . I think you could easily do it .
Too bad I do not live closer because I would gladly build it for you . Now that I think about it I am really surprized no one has built one for a Snow Trac . There is nothing hard about doing it and it can easily be made in 1 day .
If the sunroof is to close , could you do the same thing I did on the KT7 and enclose a small portion of the sun roof . You only need it about 6" or 7" deep .

By the way Bob , I only had 3 1/2 " to work with on the KT7 !!! YOU CAN DO IT !!!

So why don't you drive it out here and i'll build one this weekend

 

[Melensdad]

So why don't you drive it out here and i'll build one this weekend

At 20 mph I can make it DaveNay's property in Illinois in about a day. How many weeks west of Dave is your Idaho ranch

Can you take a picture from the same point of view in your Snow Trac?

But, I think this photo is misleading. It looks like there is more room up there than I think there really is. I'm going to have to take some measurements.

Also, I don't think I can 'overlap' the front of the sunroof the way BigAl did on his Kristi KT7 because the push/pull bar to open the sunroof is located on the leading edge and overlapping the sunroof with the console would make it difficult/impossible to use the sunroof.

 

[bczoom]

Bob,

I can't tell much from the picture in terms of dimensions.

Instead of the console going left-to-right across the front, is an option to go front-to-back over the passenger head? The area partially covered by a shadow

 

[Melensdad]

Brian, That actually might be a great idea. But now I'm thinking that an "L" shaped overhead console might work out nicely. I'm obviously going to have to go take a whole bunch of measurements to see what I can come up with, but since I took the seat out adjacent to the drivers seat, having an overhead console over that area might work out very nicely and it would probably allow more room for something that needs a deep recess (like a radio). So perhaps the Clinometer would fit over the windshield but a CB radio or maybe an AM/FM radio would fit better in a side console?

 

[bczoom]

I guess it's time to take home some cardboard.

Cut it to make templates for console sizes and tape to the ceiling. You can then draw in where everything would fit and how easy it is to see and reach.

 

[Arlow]

Here's the overhead console I made. I just put in switches for the lights, the joystick is for the remote spot, and in the center is a Wayfinder 7000 (digital compass, altimeter, barometer, temp). I made it hinged for easy access.

 

[BigAl]

Here's the overhead console I made. I just put in switches for the lights, the joystick is for the remote spot, and in the center is a Wayfinder 7000 (digital compass, altimeter, barometer, temp). I made it hinged for easy access.

Man that is nice ! I knew if anyone had done one it to a Snow Trac it would be you Arlow.

There you go Bob .... So get to work !!!

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Very clean install Arlow.

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Hey Bob S.
Check out Arlows windshield wipers. Those are much better than stockers! Arlow whats the deal with those wiper arms and blades? Any part numbers or vehicles you took them off of?