the sucker king Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 i found an uncracked dash for my hatch in a junkyard. i'm wondering if this is worth it. i tried taking a dash out once with no instruction, got frustrated and gave up. now i've looked over the fsm instructions and it seems straight forward. who has done it? how much time? how many curses? also, this dash is from a late ea81 hatch. mine is a 1980. they are quite different. i know the later one will fit, but how much trouble am i buying. the guage cluster is not digital, i assume the connections are all compatable. the clusters do not swap right? if i take the dash i take the cluster. what's involved in hooking up the tach, i don't have one now, but the new dash would have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I've done several dash replacements, but never on a 80 model. I think the inside dimensions are the same on the 2, but not positive. As for the wiring, I have no clue there either . As a matter of fact, it sounds like I cant help much here at all Pull off the original cluster and see how the plugs are setup on the back. Then compare with the new one. If it looks like they are the same, then you should be able to do the swap without to many problems. Theres 3 bolts along the front, 1 on each end and 1 in the center. Then under the corner on each side byt the quarter panel. The wiring loom will need to be detached, and the cables for the heater/vents also. The heater vent ducts usually come off by themselfs. It would be a good idea to take the steering wheel off, and drop the steering column also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. RX Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 About the only difference that I can remember is a DL dash versus a GL dash, the two are different looking, but should be interchangeable. What year is the dash coming from, maybe I have the FSM for that year and can scan a copy of the dash wiring diagram, then you can check it against your FSM. Either way, buy the dash, someone here will need it if you can't make it work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 the wiring/connectors are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Turbone helped me do the dash replacement on my '84 Brat. It is time consuming; I think I remember it taking the better part of a Saturday....about 8 hours to remove the old and install the new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I'd rather do a motor swap if that puts any perspective on how much this would suck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Huge pain in the ***** - you have completely different wireing, and since you do not have a tach, wireing that up will be needed. You would be better off taking the wireing harness from the donor car and just replaceing that at the same time. It's quite accesible with the dash removed. And while your in there, you should at least inspect your heater core, as that will be accesible as well. Alternatively, I have an 80 GL cluster here with the tach and everything that will fit in the dash you are looking at..... GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sucker king Posted June 10, 2004 Author Share Posted June 10, 2004 thanks for all the replies. as i suspected, it sounds like a huge pain in the rump roast. so i guess i'll do it then. any tips on removing the one from the junkyard (man i hope it's still there) ie: anything that will save me some time? gd- i just may take the whole harness as you suggested, or maybe i'll talk to you later about that cluster. corky- i think it's an 86 gl hatch. do what you can. much apreciated. my email is meatpile@earthlink.net mick- i owe you money. i know that. now would seem like a good time to pay you huh? don't be afraid to threaten me. i respond well to threats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 John, actually, I need to email you about a few things. I've finally gotten some cardboard that will let me pack the louvers okay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 As for removal tips - I just did this job on Saturday, and I can say that removing the windshield (10 minutes with a utility knife) will really make getting to the bolts on the top of the dash much easier. Of course you can't do this on your car, but at the junk yard it certainly would fly, and make your visit more enjoyable. With the windsheild out, it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to get the dash out. I had never pulled one before either, but if you know where all the bolts and nuts are, then it's actually pretty straightforward. Remove the surround, and the guage cluster first, as well as the drivers side kick panel. Remove the glove box door, and insert. And remove the passenger kick panel/shelf. On top of the dash remove the vent louvers, and there will be three or four bolts underneath that hold the dash down.... various nuts and bolts underneath that hold the dash in place, and of course all the wireing has those wraps on it that hold it to the dash. Couple of zip-ties in there too. I just cut those. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Sawing off the front of your car makes it easy to get the the hidden bolts that you just can't get to w/o braking your hand:-\ Guess that's not an option..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sucker king Posted June 13, 2004 Author Share Posted June 13, 2004 it is now a CONFIRMED pain in the rump roast. removing the windshield was a great idea that i would not have thought of on my own. thank you. maybe it should have takin me 30 minutes after that, but it didn't. it took a lot longer. let's just leave it at that. i'm glad i did it though. this dash is beautiful. i'm going to put it in when i get around to replacing my windshield. that will not only help with those top bolts, but manuevering it around will be a lot easier. again thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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