By the CTP Staff – Images by Ivan Martinez
It’s 8:30 a.m. in Tempe, Arizona. The roll-up doors are open at Mobile Solutions’ fabrication training center, and the desert heat is already beginning to settle in. Inside, a fullsize C10 truck cab shell sits front and center, its bare metal dash a blank canvas. Around it, a group of fabricators from all over the country gather—some returning for their 10th class, others attending for the first time.
Over the next four days, they’ll work through the complete process of building a fully custom dashboard from the ground up—design, structure, electronics, upholstery. This is MasterTech 3D: Hot Rod Dash Build, a hands-on course designed not just to teach fabrication techniques but to walk attendees through the real-world process of turning raw materials into something refined, functional, and truly custom.
Laying the Groundwork
The first day set the tone. After introductions and safety briefings, the class was given a broad overview of the project scope. Unlike typical seminars that focus on isolated skills, this course was centered on building a complete dash assembly, start to finish, with each module feeding into the next.
A live vehicle inspection began the process—studying the C10 cab’s geometry, identifying mounting points, and exploring how to blend modern visual language into a classic form. Using Peel 3D scanning tools, instructors demonstrated how to capture the cab’s interior dimensions, providing a digital foundation for conceptual sketching. Students sketched their ideas on paper and tablets, weighing layout options for gauge clusters, LED zones, and layered trim.
From Concept to Construction
By day two, theory gave way to sawdust and resin. Templates were drafted and refined. CNC-cut shapes and router techniques were demonstrated in detail, with each attendee tasked with building their own dash stand and structural frame. Fiberglass mold-making, bracket fabrication, and ergonomic adjustments followed—each step carefully considered for serviceability, strength, and alignment with the original scan data.
This wasn’t a class about shortcuts. Every decision had a reason. Brackets were adjusted for driver sightlines, bezels were designed with upholstery tolerances in mind, and the layering of panels was treated more like sculpture than assembly.
Wiring the Future
Sunday brought electronics into the mix. LED strips were installed and tested, gauges mounted, and digital components integrated. Discussions turned to power distribution, wiring harness layout, and best practices for service-friendly installation. Students worked closely with instructors to fine-tune each interface—nothing was rushed. Even the placement of USB ports and HVAC controls sparked thoughtful debate.
By afternoon, the nearly complete dash sections were test-fit into the C10 cab shell. Some required fine-tuning. Others dropped into place with little more than a light push and the audible click of brackets locking in. That moment—that dry fit coming together—was a turning point.
The Finish Line
Monday was the final stretch. With tools in hand and upholstery materials laid out, attendees turned their attention to finish work. Techniques for stretching vinyl, hiding seams, and heat-forming around complex curves were demonstrated, then practiced. There was no pressure to complete every section—but there was encouragement to attempt something new.
By late afternoon, the shop had taken on the quiet, focused energy of a studio. Students assembled their final pieces, cleaned edges, and prepped for presentation. One by one, they shared their work with the class—some polished, some still in progress, all shaped by intention.
A Different Kind of Education
What set this training apart wasn’t just the techniques—it was the structure. Each module mirrored a step a builder would follow in the real world. Mistakes were welcome. Collaboration was constant. And while the instructors—Bryan Schmitt, Christerfer Pate, Phil Cantu, and Wesley Cato—shared decades of knowledge, they did so more like mentors than lecturers.
By the time the shop floor was cleared, everyone left with more than a finished project. They left with a deeper understanding of their craft—and a renewed respect for the process behind it.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
