I am considering putting an perfect condition '83 dash in my '87 thunderbird to replace my cracked and messed up stock dash. I really like the look of the older dash as well. I cannot find a good replacment '86/'87/'88 dash in any local junkyard, but have found several nice dashes in some '83/'84 cars.
I plan on using the '87 dash wiring and buttstuffog cluster. I'm obviousiy going to have to modify the dash some way to make the '87 cluster to work. Does anyone have and ideas for this conversion? any suggestions would be great.:D
I dont know any real "techincal" details, but I am willing to bet you will have to hack up the display panel an awful lot to get your current gauge cluster in there to work. Have you ever considered a dash cap?
Before
(http://www.coolcats.net/stockmod/modified/images/dashtop_01.jpg)
(http://www.coolcats.net/stockmod/modified/images/dashtop_02.jpg)
Before tpuppies
(http://www.coolcats.net/stockmod/modified/images/dashtop_15.jpg)
after
(http://www.coolcats.net/stockmod/modified/images/dashtop_18.jpg)
As per Mr. Eric@coolcats website
http://www.coolcats.net/stockmod/modified/dashtop.html
I agree that the 1983-84 dash is clean, simple, straightforward, no-nonsense...but it definitely has a lot of limitations. I seriously doubt you'd get your gauges cluster to work in that dash, because the hole in the 1983-84 dash is just way too small to accommodate it. You would have to change your heater box, etc. behind the dash as well. The good news is that all the holes you need are there...you shouldn't have to drill even one. It is a lot of work though. I'm going to have to agree that a dash cap is much more economical and viable at this point. Unless you have all winter, all the parts, and some wiring schematics. ;)
I've already removed the heater core and all of the surrounding plastics. I only drive my tbird in the summer, and I don't recall haveing ever turned the heater on for any reason. That stinks that the recessed area in the '83 type dash is too small....Well what do you guys think about a mustang dash? Theres several various years of fox mustang at my local junkyard with good condition dashes. Particularly, theres a '88 four cylinder 'stang that has a flawless dash. I wonder if I could get an '87 tbird cluster to fit in that...As far as prices go, I could get 3 dashes from this junkyard for the price of one dash cap, and not one of the carpet ones: I'm not too particular of those.
You can probably get an older (pre-1987) Mustang cluster to work. Keep in mind that the speedo is cable driven.
That looks great! That dash cap Is the type I would get, but there expensive aren't they?
Not really there about $100 for the 85-88 dash but you have to dye them the color of your dash top. It's not that to do either:D
What are mustang clusters like for the '86 and older? I think those are the ones that have individual pods for each gauge. those would look pretty cool and have a old-school feel along with that style of dash. Hmmm, well I could get a dash cap and keep it simple or i could do somthing that is real time consuming but in the end be real unique....I think I'll have the time to put into it this spring and summer.:rolleyes:
here is a moddified 86
(http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0305MM_veryveryfright/#)
here is a moddified 86
(http://musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0305MM_VeryVeryFright08z.jpg)
haystack.. you mean this?
(http://musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0305MM_VeryVeryFright08z.jpg)
Yeah I got it right before you did. thanks.
i think i would check e-bay for dascap. the guy that i just bought mine from sell them for most vehicles. the buy it now price 98.99 but i won it on auction for 31.00 and got a console lid cap for 8.81 at auction. i will post pics when done but test fit looks great.
Badbird, your 'bird is beautifull! thats one of the best looking earlier foxes i've seen...:bowdown:
what is that cluster thats in that dash? It seems that if that could fit,
an '87 cluster could fit..
THANKS. i try very hard to keep improving it this year it is getting all new black and gray custom interior, with a custom console top for the factory console, i am vac forming a new top with b&m shifter cover integrated into it i will post more pics soon, thanks again for the comments. Ron Barck 734-776-5987 rpm121370@yahoo.com
nice car badbird!
Thank you very much. i will post more pics when interior is complete. we vac formed the new console top today. it integrates a b&m shifter and trim all in one. if any of you attend Detroit Autorama i entered and am waiting for response hopefully i will meet some of you there. Ron
I would like to point out the picture of the dashboard posted by Haystack is actually a 79-86? Mustang interior with a 97-200? Ford truck instrument cluster. I believe it came from the MM&FF issue where they put a Lightning 5.4l in a Fox Mustang.
That sounds right to me, I know it was a MM&FF spot I got it form. I just googled 1986 mustang dash.
where did you order the dash cap from?
hi i bought my dashcap from ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/80-82-83-84-85-86-Thunderbird-Mercury-Cougar-Dash-Cap_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ40017QQitemZ8025790638 Just start bidding thats how i won mine. good luck.