full digital dash?

Topic: full digital dash? (Read 7083 times) previous topic - next topic

full digital dash?

Reply #30 – September 01, 2009, 11:13:10 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;289331

I have the full digital cluster and think it's one of the neatest things about these cars. I had thought about swapping it out for an buttstuffog cluster but the full digital one is just too cool. It screams 80's high tech;)

Keep the digital cluster! It's way cooler plus it does have the tach and the rest of the goodies!

full digital dash?

Reply #31 – September 02, 2009, 12:02:50 PM

I even went to the trouble of swapping the half digital in my car for the full digital. It definitely screams 80's tech...and that's why I wanted it in my '88.

full digital dash?

Reply #32 – September 02, 2009, 12:19:49 PM

I got mine to do the swap also.
also thinking of some add on digi gauges too.

full digital dash?

Reply #33 – September 02, 2009, 07:04:58 PM

There's an '87 LX about 40 miles from here,5.0,digi dash,silver in color,keyless entry,premium sound,14 inch 8 hole wheels,gray interior (nice,but cracked dash.....as usual),and no dents to speak of.I can get it for $400.00,but,my funds are wasted right now.I'm trying to get the money to get it.I love the full digital dash a lot,but I always end up with the '88 Birds which,to my knowledge,didn't have that option.

full digital dash?

Reply #34 – September 02, 2009, 08:54:18 PM

ok guys im jumping in i have a full digital cluster on my 86 and i noticed theres a square( u know like the high beam square the brake and the rear lamp out squares that light up) well on the left side of the cluster theres one that says check turbo and i was like turbo coupes were the only one to get a turbo and turbo coupes came only with the buttstuffog cluster right?????? so whats the deal?

full digital dash?

Reply #35 – September 02, 2009, 09:49:04 PM

cougars were also turbo before 87

full digital dash?

Reply #36 – September 02, 2009, 10:56:39 PM

Quote from: Watchdevil;289256

It was actually done on production cars until they changed it for late 1983 production. I remember Ford got blasted for it when it first came out, so they tooled up a proper tach inside the instrument cluster.

The 1983-84 dashboards were modified versions of the 1980-82 ones to save cost. They even carried over instrument clusters. The 1980-82 Tbird dash was even carried over entirely intact to use on the 1983-86 mid-size LTD and Marquis.

Also, the provision for the clock mount next to the right center vent above the glovebox is in every single 1983-84 dashboard. All they did was use different right side vent trim.

Any idea what timeframe 'late' was? Funny, I don't remember this issue w/ the tach but maybe it's in some of the new car reviews.

What is the provision above the glovebox? I didn't see that on my 83?

If anyone has an 83 with the early tach maybe we can get a build date and picture.

full digital dash?

Reply #37 – September 02, 2009, 11:46:44 PM

my 83tc has the normal dash with the tach in the cluster.

full digital dash?

Reply #38 – September 03, 2009, 12:07:24 AM

Quote from: rodsterh;289597

Any idea what timeframe 'late' was? Funny, I don't remember this issue w/ the tach but maybe it's in some of the new car reviews.

What is the provision above the glovebox? I didn't see that on my 83?

If anyone has an 83 with the early tach maybe we can get a build date and picture.

Back in the day March and April were considered "late" production. Often Ford used to pull ahead some things mid model year for the next model year's production as early March or April. This explains things like 1985 Cougars with 1986 high mounted brake lamps and late 1984 Cougars with 1985 taillamps.

Here is some more info. I have the factory brochures for all the Fox Tbirds. The first 1983 brochure was the one shown in the PDF file elsewhere posted on the boards here.

In March 1983, the Turbo Coupe got it's own new seperate brochure done with more of a sophisticated BMW style with better format, layout and outdoor photography. The March '83 brochures show the new larger cluster mounted tach and fuel guage in place of the auto shift indicator.

In April 83, the full-line Thunderbird brochure was revised to reflect the style and format of the Turbo Coupe brochure. All the Turbo Coupes in that brochure showed the new larger cluster mounted tach as well. The 1984 brochures pretty much carried over the 1983 brochure style with a different cover color and a few new updated pictures and revised copy.

Thinking back now through my clouded memory and seeing the actual Turbo Coupe release date (which I forgot was delayed) around March 83, it could be the small center mounted tach never made it to production after all. I do recall for certain that it was changed at the last minute because of the negative reactions to it by the reveiwers of magazines like Motor Trend, Car & Driver and Road & Track.

I'd still like to see if any early production models turns up with the small tach or not.

full digital dash?

Reply #39 – September 03, 2009, 12:15:04 AM

Quote from: rodsterh;289597

What is the provision above the glovebox? I didn't see that on my 83?

Remember my peanut brittle dash which is shown in two pieces on my restoration thread? Look to the right of the right center vent just above the glove box opening and trunk release switch. It's a duplicate clock mount opening.

Earlier in the same thread you can see it in another dash shell.

full digital dash?

Reply #40 – September 03, 2009, 12:45:14 AM

what the hell ! a second clock provision. neat

a couple other nice 83 digi cluster posts here.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=21843&highlight=digital
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=21828&highlight=digital

there are several threads if you search user lumpycheeseman along with key word "digital" for more 83 digi info.

full digital dash?

Reply #41 – September 03, 2009, 10:29:53 AM

Hy
Someone here said 87/88 TC couldn´t come with digital dash but I have something what makes you think. I was taking my dash out today and saw one yellow light.

full digital dash?

Reply #42 – September 03, 2009, 12:19:11 PM

It's pretty common for Ford to have more lights on the cluster, than what they need. I've seen a few '04 F150s with the "wait to start" light on the cluster, that was never activated, because the diesel option never happened.

full digital dash?

Reply #43 – September 07, 2009, 11:03:30 PM

Quote from: Watchdevil;289616

I have the factory brochures for all the Fox Tbirds.
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I'd still like to see if any early production models turns up with the small tach or not.

Got all those 83 brochures too.

I agree, I'd be curious to see if this was something that ever made it to production.

I think I'll start a new thread under 'General' to see if we can find an early 83 TC.

full digital dash?

Reply #44 – September 07, 2009, 11:05:54 PM

Quote from: Watchdevil;289618

Remember my peanut brittle dash which is shown in two pieces on my restoration thread? Look to the right of the right center vent just above the glove box opening and trunk release switch. It's a duplicate clock mount opening.

Ha... neat. Saw it but never dawned on me it was an additional clock mount opening! Good eye!!