VW T2 Bay Window (1968–1979): 2× 52 mm gauge panel replacing the ashtray – no drilling

Description

For the VW Transporter T2 Bay Window (T2a and T2b, 1968–1979), including Westfalia: the panel replaces the ashtray below the radio and holds two 52 mm gauges flush – on the air-cooled flat four typically oil temperature and oil pressure, or a voltmeter.

• A hollow plug with crush ribs clamps in the ashtray slot. Nothing is drilled, the original stays intact.
• The gauges (e.g. VDO Cockpit) sit flush, held by crush ribs without screws.
• The cables run through the plug into the slot.
• Variants for 45, 50 and 55 mm gauge depth.
• Prints face-down on the bed: smooth visible side, no supports.

The slot is only 47 mm tall, so the panel sits in front of the dashboard and protrudes by the gauge depth.

File the crush ribs if needed; too loose: felt tape on the plug. Bore +0.4 mm, check with the test ring.

Dimensions

Dimensions of the default variant in print orientation.

Material and temperature

Shaded location: PETG is sufficient, ASA is the more robust choice. PLA is unsuitable in a car – it starts to soften at about 55–60 °C.

Print orientation: Face (visible side) down on the bed, plug pointing up.

Guide: PETG or ASA in a car?

Safety notice

The T2 has no airbags. The panel must not obstruct the gear lever, heater levers or knees; fuse the wiring and keep it away from sharp sheet-metal edges. Install at your own risk. Never mount in an airbag deployment zone, never cover controls, never restrict the view. Follow the material and temperature advice. Add-ons may affect the type approval of the vehicle (§ 19 StVZO in Germany); keep edges in the head and knee area rounded (UN Regulation No. 21).

Not an original part. No affiliation with the vehicle manufacturers named; make and model names only indicate fitment.

Slot size taken from an ashtray insert for a 1969 bus (Printables 115262, CC BY-NC-SA), our part not yet tested in a car. T2b (from 1973) probably the same according to the maker, not confirmed. No airbags from the factory.

What's included

• toleranz-testring-52mm.stl – Tolerance test ring
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe45.stl – STL – print-ready mesh
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe45.3mf – 3MF – with print profile
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe45.step – STEP – editable in CAD
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe50.stl – STL – print-ready mesh
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe50.3mf – 3MF – with print profile
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe50.step – STEP – editable in CAD
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe55.stl – STL – print-ready mesh
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe55.3mf – 3MF – with print profile
• vw-t2-bay-aschenbecher-instrumentenblende-2x-52mm_tiefe55.step – STEP – editable in CAD

Printing

1. Print the tolerance test ring first and test-fit a gauge.
2. Print in PETG or ASA, 0.2 mm layers, 4 walls, 20 % infill, no supports. No PLA.

Installation

1. Pull out the ashtray.
2. Route the cables through the grooves into the plug and on into the slot, press the gauges in from the front.
3. Push the panel straight into the slot until it sits against the dashboard.

Guides for this part

• VW T2 Bay (1968–1979): oil temperature and oil pressure in place of the ashtray, no drilling

FAQ

Version 1.0.0, updated 2 November 2026 · SKU GPN-VW-T2BAY-2X52