Later model dash in a Box???

[sick88tbird]

Just day dreaming now after seeing a cherry dash in a mid-90's CV...mine is all butchered up and I have broken blend doors in my heater box....the outter plenum looks the same, I was just wondering if anybody has messed around with this kind of swap and had any measurements/dimensions of the dash and dash frame...being as my car is a daily driver, I can't afford massive down time...I'm also wondering about the speedo...weren't they electronic in the later models? If so, I wonder if the old speed sensor from my '88 T-bird would send the proper signal.

I can get the dash and heater box for around $80-90 but if its guaranteed a no-go then I'd rather spend that money elsewhere.

Thanks in advance,
Don

[gadget73]

well, the body is the same for all practical purposes from 79-91. The dash is essentially the same 79-89, and then 90-97 or something, so I would wager you can fit a later style dash in a box, though you might want to pull it from a 90-91 just to be certain. Be prepared for a vast amount of wiring work. None of it is the same, the steering column is different, and so is the shift linkage. Its doable, but honestly you're better off getting a complete 90s model as a parts car rather than raiding the junkyard for parts.

[sick88tbird]

Yeah, I know it's a huge undertaking...I'm putting it on the back-burner...If I can just find a good heater box with good doors that the j-yard, I'll just replace it and look for a few trim pieces to band-aid my dash.

[rick99601]

your dash looks better anyway, IMHO.

[sick88tbird]

Trying to modernize and make everything more serviceable.

[marquisman]

if you ask me, the more modern, the less servicable it is lol.

[rick99601]

if you ask me, the more modern, the less servicable it is lol.

x2

[Mercracer]

I pulled a 97 dash yesterday and I will be comparing it to my 91 dash next week. My first concern is if the plenum piping matches up. I have plenty of time to work the bugs out before I need everything fuctional as the drivetrain will not come out until spring and I do not plan on having it running until well into summer.

[pantera77]

Personally I don't think the contours of the dash are going to line up at all.

[1990LTD]

I am skeptical as well but I'd love to see it done.

[86VickyLX]

I pulled a 97 dash yesterday and I will be comparing it to my 91 dash next week. My first concern is if the plenum piping matches up. I have plenty of time to work the bugs out before I need everything fuctional as the drivetrain will not come out until spring and I do not plan on having it running until well into summer.

I'm really interested to see what you find out with this.

[Mercracer]

While I wait for the opportunity to compare the dash "contours" I am sorting out the wiring differences. I will be making major wiring updates in my '91.

[Mercracer]

Its doable, but honestly you're better off getting a complete 90s model as a parts car rather than raiding the junkyard for parts.

I would rather disect a car in the bone yard and figure everything out than mess up a car I am working on. If the dash does not fit in my '91, I will likely be on the search for a 95-97 project car. If I can canibalize this 1997 P71 before they crush it I can be less picky with the project car regarding it being a P71. I am also pulling parts from a fresh 1997 M75 GM. I may pull the dash from it just so I can see the wiring differences between Automatic Climate Control/Digital dash and a P71.

[86VickyLX]

If it does fit, are you gonna wire in the air bags and whatnot as well?

[Mercracer]

If it does fit, are you gonna wire in the air bags and whatnot as well?

We will have to see how this project progresses. Something like air bags is way down on the list of things to get working first. Working HVAC and instruments are at the top of the list for the dash swap.