Instrument Panel

[Paul Johnson]

I am considering buying a used Legacy Sonex and would like to replace the instrument panel, is this a straight forward process or is it part of the structure.

[vwglenn]

That is a pretty loaded question but I'll say that rearranging my panel wasn't hard at all. Mine is non-standard though.

[Paul Johnson]

Sorry, question was not meant to be loaded, all I want to know is the replacement of the instrument panel easy or do I have to start drilling out rivets?

[fastj22]

Sorry, question was not meant to be loaded, all I want to know is the replacement of the instrument panel easy or do I have to start drilling out rivets?

If built to plans, you will need to drill out rivets. But plenty (most) of builders have deviated from the plans to "improve" the panel.
As plans built, the crossmember is structural and keeps the sides from taco'ing in when the fuel tank gets heavy. If you are going to do surgery, get some ideas from others on what they did to "improve" it. Piano hinges are the most popular where you can swing the panel forward to gain access behind. Some have built more vertical panels to give more space and helps with glare. The most common I've seen is replacing the plans cross member with a 1.5 x 1.5 x.125 angle aluminum and mounting switches through it. Then putting a hinge on the top and frees up the panel for fun stuff.