Interior Swap
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Interior Swap
I just purchased a 1980 Corvette and I want to redo the interior. I would like to change the dash from it's original style to an earlier 68-77 style dash and console. Has anyone done this or know if it can be done?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
I have a 79 and my plastic, square "tunnel" covering the speedometer and tachometer is cracked, I was wondering if its a simple swap to change to the dual round tunnel from the earlier cars?
PS. did not mean to hijack but no point of starting a second thread on the same topic
PS. did not mean to hijack but no point of starting a second thread on the same topic
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I'm pretty sure it will require a complete replacement of the dash and console. I am just not sure if the older style will fit without any major fabrications.
P.S. No worries jumping in, it can only help bring in the information.
P.S. No worries jumping in, it can only help bring in the information.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,639
Likes: 3,102
From: Shamong, NJ
You'd probably want to stick with a 75-77 dash, as they used an electric tach and oil pressure gauge, just like the 80 does.
The 68-77 dash is made up of three pieces. There's the left front piece with the speedo/tach, the right front piece with the map pocket and the dash top. The 79 dash is all one piece.
So it your inquiring if you can use the round speedo and tach, in your 79, then yes you can, but it is not a "simple swap to change". To do it, you would need to use a complete 3 piece dash from an earlier car, just like MyRCar is contemplating doing.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51...c/DSC07893.jpg
on this pic of a 79 interior the tach and speedo are round but there is a rectangular bezel with a fake chrome edge around them, I was wondering if an earlier round bezel would fit there. I do not know how the earlier cars are build so please forgive me if this is a stupid question and there is no way it will happen.
(sorry for using sbodys photo - just found it on google image search)
on this pic of a 79 interior the tach and speedo are round but there is a rectangular bezel with a fake chrome edge around them, I was wondering if an earlier round bezel would fit there. I do not know how the earlier cars are build so please forgive me if this is a stupid question and there is no way it will happen.
(sorry for using sbodys photo - just found it on google image search)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
If you're going to retrofit yours, I suggest that you use 77 pieces as your basis. (FYI, the 77 center stack bezel hes minor differences on how it meete surrounding trim. You will not be able to use your original.)
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,639
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From: Shamong, NJ
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51...c/DSC07893.jpg
on this pic of a 79 interior the tach and speedo are round but there is a rectangular bezel with a fake chrome edge around them, I was wondering if an earlier round bezel would fit there.
on this pic of a 79 interior the tach and speedo are round but there is a rectangular bezel with a fake chrome edge around them, I was wondering if an earlier round bezel would fit there.
Unlike the 78-82 speedo and tach, which are mounted in a removable housing, the speedo and tach on earlier cars, are mounted directly into the left side of the dash panel. This is the whole left side dash, it goes from the door to the center gauge bezel, and from the dash top, down to the steering column.
If you want to add earlier gauges to your car, you have to replace the entire dash; along with the gauges, glove box, center bezel and a-pillar moldings.
Sorry, but you just can't just swap in the earlier speedo/tach.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Last edited by Easy Mike; Feb 4, 2013 at 08:44 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,939
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From: Palm Bay Florida
Can be done, finding the three dash panels and a center console used and in good condition won't be easy and the new parts are over $1000 plus gauges, would require modifying main harness but it can be done, not for the faint of heart.
Mark
Mark
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The 77 interior was a hybred of earlier and later designs. It incorporated the later tunnel and center stack with the round inset speedo & tach and map pocket of earlier models. It also introduced revised windshield trim that was carried forward onto later models.
If you're going to retrofit yours, I suggest that you use 77 pieces as your basis. (FYI, the 77 center stack bezel hes minor differences on how it meete surrounding trim. You will not be able to use your original.)
If you're going to retrofit yours, I suggest that you use 77 pieces as your basis. (FYI, the 77 center stack bezel hes minor differences on how it meete surrounding trim. You will not be able to use your original.)
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
No, as I said in my previous post, the 79 dash is all one piece, were as the 68-77 dashes, are made up of 3 separate pieces.
Unlike the 78-82 speedo and tach, which are mounted in a removable housing, the speedo and tach on earlier cars, are mounted directly into the left side of the dash panel. This is the whole left side dash, it goes from the door to the center gauge bezel, and from the dash top, down to the steering column.
If you want to add earlier gauges to your car, you have to replace the entire dash; along with the gauges, glove box, center bezel and a-pillar moldings.
Sorry, but you just can't just swap in the earlier speedo/tach.
Unlike the 78-82 speedo and tach, which are mounted in a removable housing, the speedo and tach on earlier cars, are mounted directly into the left side of the dash panel. This is the whole left side dash, it goes from the door to the center gauge bezel, and from the dash top, down to the steering column.
If you want to add earlier gauges to your car, you have to replace the entire dash; along with the gauges, glove box, center bezel and a-pillar moldings.
Sorry, but you just can't just swap in the earlier speedo/tach.