'80 Dash Replacment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Rye TX
'80 Dash Replacment
OK Guys and Gals. My wife and I are in full resto mode. All of the interior is done except for the dash. Any words of wisdom before we start? Anybody want to fess up to screw-ups that will keep us out of trouble?
Just a plug.... The Corvette America & Ecklers parts we've bought and installed have been top of the line. Everything has fit like a glove, and looks superb!!! By the way, we don't work for them.
Just a plug.... The Corvette America & Ecklers parts we've bought and installed have been top of the line. Everything has fit like a glove, and looks superb!!! By the way, we don't work for them.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
There are two metal tabs that bolt to the underside of the dash that attach to the firewall. They are evenly spaced across the dash. They are designed to be bolted to the dash prior to installation. When installing the dash, they will simply clip into the firewall. To remove the old dash, you need to unbolt them from the dash. The passenger side is very easy. The drivers is directly above the tachometer with little clearance. Just be patient.
When installing the dash, pay very close attention to the ears that stick out off the top of the dash. They are very easy to crack and tear. You will have much better luck if someone helps you install the dash. It's very hard to move around by yourself inside the car.
Some people suggest dropping the steering column. I didn't, but I had bough a new steering wheel, so I removed the old and left it off before I put the dash on.
Good luck.
When installing the dash, pay very close attention to the ears that stick out off the top of the dash. They are very easy to crack and tear. You will have much better luck if someone helps you install the dash. It's very hard to move around by yourself inside the car.
Some people suggest dropping the steering column. I didn't, but I had bough a new steering wheel, so I removed the old and left it off before I put the dash on.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Glenn Heights Tx
Originally Posted by Ak. Mal
There are two metal tabs that bolt to the underside of the dash that attach to the firewall. They are evenly spaced across the dash. They are designed to be bolted to the dash prior to installation. When installing the dash, they will simply clip into the firewall. To remove the old dash, you need to unbolt them from the dash. The passenger side is very easy. The drivers is directly above the tachometer with little clearance. Just be patient.
When installing the dash, pay very close attention to the ears that stick out off the top of the dash. They are very easy to crack and tear. You will have much better luck if someone helps you install the dash. It's very hard to move around by yourself inside the car.
Some people suggest dropping the steering column. I didn't, but I had bough a new steering wheel, so I removed the old and left it off before I put the dash on.
Good luck.
When installing the dash, pay very close attention to the ears that stick out off the top of the dash. They are very easy to crack and tear. You will have much better luck if someone helps you install the dash. It's very hard to move around by yourself inside the car.
Some people suggest dropping the steering column. I didn't, but I had bough a new steering wheel, so I removed the old and left it off before I put the dash on.
Good luck.
but it is better if you get a helper...and yes watch out for the ears!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: staten island new york
St. Jude Donor '10
i'm in the same boat as you are. i'm trying to get help from friends to do this as i never done this before. so far glove box removed,duct wok under glove box,2 screws on sides by door posts,4 screws around guage cluster,speed and tach lens removed. thats as far as i got. mine is a 79e so i dont think there will be much differance. good luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Rye Texas
Fit....
Originally Posted by 1982CorvetteDude
I'd like to know what stock they (ecklers and corvette america) are pulling your parts out of because I have yet to see anything from them fit like a glove 
I put in the carpet by myself and it fits great! The door panels went in with no problem and the carpet on them matches the rest of the carpet. The only pieces that don't perfectly match are the tunnel cover pieces. They look like they were cut "against the grain" or taken from a selvage end. Bought new mounted seat covers and they fit right into my existing pans with no problem. Guess maybe we've just gotten lucky with our parts. Sorry to hear you've had problems........
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Rye Texas
No Duct Work??????
Originally Posted by The Ram
my reinstallation will be easy as im not reinstalling any duct work...so a few screws and im done
Why no duct work? I'm willing to make life easier for both of us so neither of us end up dead over a dash!
whatcha mean?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Damn, if you two married folk are in the same thread making sure you won't rip each other's heads off, maybe you shouldn't be inside the car working together. It gets a little cramped in there.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Glenn Heights Tx
im not going to have AC in it, nor heat because when this puppy is driven is on warm sunny days with the ttops off...plus i dont feel like spending the extra money to have the ac compressor and such replaced/serviced when i wont be even using them at all...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Rye TX
Originally Posted by Ak. Mal
Damn, if you two married folk are in the same thread making sure you won't rip each other's heads off, maybe you shouldn't be inside the car working together. It gets a little cramped in there.
The A/c & Heater suggestion is interesting.
Thanks for the info everyone, We will return the favors.
Last edited by AlCherry; Feb 7, 2006 at 07:37 PM.
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Be careful with the small tabs that are at the top corners of each end of the dash... they have a crease to allow them to bend.. bend too much and the paint/die cracks...or worse...
Pre-fit the glove box door before you put the dash in...
Take your time... feels good once done but will take patience...
Pre-fit the glove box door before you put the dash in...
Take your time... feels good once done but will take patience...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Originally Posted by Mrs. Al
I put in the carpet by myself and it fits great! The door panels went in with no problem and the carpet on them matches the rest of the carpet. The only pieces that don't perfectly match are the tunnel cover pieces. They look like they were cut "against the grain" or taken from a selvage end. Bought new mounted seat covers and they fit right into my existing pans with no problem. Guess maybe we've just gotten lucky with our parts. Sorry to hear you've had problems........
My problem is the dash pad assembly / center guage bezel / tach -speedo lens. All were bought as new repro's and nothing wants to "line up". I haven't even tried to install the console parts yet
