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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: Wolfgrey04 on October 25, 2013, 07:11:02 pm

Title: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Wolfgrey04 on October 25, 2013, 07:11:02 pm

Does anyone know if it's possible to switch a 1980 dash onto a 1987 crew cab? specifically the dash cover. I read somewhere it only required a new instrument bezel. I came across a deal to good to pass up and now have a brand new bezel and cover. Just wondering if anyone would know what else I need to buy to make this work.

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: VileZambonie on October 25, 2013, 07:58:34 pm

Yes you can but the dash cluster bezel is different too

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Wolfgrey04 on October 25, 2013, 08:10:14 pm

Yea i got the trim bezel for the 1980 dash. Are you saying that I need the housing that the instruments sit in to? I also mocked everything up in the truck and it looks like the headlight switch is going to have to be relocated slightly.

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Captkaos on October 27, 2013, 01:35:59 pm

You just need the plastic piece that goes in front of the gauges.

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Wolfgrey04 on October 28, 2013, 06:13:15 pm

Bought the new trim bezel and dash. Love the look of the 80 dash!  Still gotta move the headlight switch

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: gildardo01 on October 28, 2013, 10:13:36 pm

isnt there a problem where the VIN number goes.. i dont think they line up.. .

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Captkaos on October 29, 2013, 08:37:56 am

78-up had the VIN in the window as long as the dash comes from those years it will work fine.

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Wolfgrey04 on November 03, 2013, 10:20:52 am

Yea the VIN doesn't line up with the 80 dash opening. I also have to get new vent assemblies for the passenger side. The 87 trim held the vent outlets while the 80 dash trim had no such clips in the trim. Switching the dashes turned out to be an expensive venture. I looks so much better though.

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: VileZambonie on November 05, 2013, 07:55:28 pm

before and after pics?

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Wolfgrey04 on November 14, 2013, 05:28:21 pm

Not completed yet. Realized when I got the 1980 dash trim for the dash I had to buy new vent ducts for the passenger side. The 1987 trim held the blower vent. The 1980 had the duct that held the vent. So I went back and had to order more parts. So to recap, new bezel, new trim, new ducts, and move the light switch up. All that and the purchase of the 1980 dash will get the conversion. Well, I'm still guessing considering I have not put the darn thing in until I get the rest of my parts. Hopefully they will show up tomorrow. I'll post the pictures when completed.

Title: Re: Dash Swap from 87 to 80?
Post by: Irish_Alley on November 14, 2013, 11:18:18 pm

Quote from: Wolfgrey04 on November 03, 2013, 10:20:52 am

Yea the VIN doesn't line up with the 80 dash opening.

this is because in 80 they were still using only 13 digits instead of the 17 in post 80