77 interior help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
77 interior help
i recently took a 77 in trade on my 81 and i need some interior help please. as far as interiors are concerned the 77 is a different animal than the 81 i was familiar with. i am missing the console sides and most of the lower dash. forum member popbluff helped me out with an upper dash pad at a great price. when looking for used (all i can afford) parts im seeing most console pieces for the years 68-76. is there anything different concerning the 77 model other than the seam in the upper dash pad? when i buy the left lower dash pad does it need to be 77 only? my wiper switch is on a stalk off the steering column...so is there a place on the 68-76 models lower left dash for the wiper switch? that was general area for the wipers on my 81. seems i remember seeing a wiper switch in the center of the dash on some years .
thanks in advance
billy
thanks in advance
billy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
1977 was the first year where the wiper functions were in the steering column and yes... that is a "one year only" thing. Also the shape of the instruments changed in 1977 to a "flat bottom" speedo and tach... there has been some discussion here whether all 77 models are so equipped, or just some "later" built specimens. Be aware also that there are "early" and "late" production 1977s and there are significant differences between the two... prominent are "early" examples having the alarm arm key switch located on the front fender with "late" examples moved to the driver's door lock; and a difference in the locating peg arrangement on the t-top weatherstrip as well... early cars had fewer locating pegs than late cars; another one year (and only partial year) running change.
Last edited by markids77; Mar 20, 2013 at 09:58 PM. Reason: wording
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Also the trans tunnel "masonite" fillers on a 77 extend all the way to the end of the underdash of the instrument panel, unlike earlier cars which had the filler panel end about where the shifter stuck out of the lower dash.
Last edited by markids77; Mar 20, 2013 at 10:03 PM. Reason: clarification
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,633
Likes: 3,100
From: Shamong, NJ
The 77 uses console side panels similar to your 81's, but covered in vinyl, instead of carpet. The 77 console side panels are unique to 77.
is there anything different concerning the 77 model other than the seam in the upper dash pad? when i buy the left lower dash pad does it need to be 77 only?
The gauge cluster looks like your 81, but is actually a 77 only piece. The 77 cluster has "wings" on the sides of it, that are not present on the 78-82 cluster. 68-76's have a diecast metal cluster, that is shaped differently than the 77 cluster.
You need 77 front dash pieces, because they are the only ones that will line up correctly with your center gauge bezel, and console side panels.
my wiper switch is on a stalk off the steering column...so is there a place on the 68-76 models lower left dash for the wiper switch? that was general area for the wipers on my 81. seems i remember seeing a wiper switch in the center of the dash on some years .
thanks in advance
billy
thanks in advance
billy
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase a 77 owner's manual if you do not have one. Order the 77 assembly instruction manual (AIM). When they arrive, read through the owner's manual and look through the interior section of the AIM.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Mar 22, 2013 at 09:14 AM.
