OK, test fitted the 85 dash in the 83. The 10mm bolts on the sides line up. the bracket on the transmision hump swaps out between the two cars so the bottom matches up. There are two things that dont match right now. First in the 3 10mm bolts along the top of the dash. Second is the 85 has a opening to let in fresh are though the vents. The 83 doesnt have these. So, I'm debating on the vents. Possibly just cut the holes and make them work or just leave it as is. the other project would be to make the 3 bolts acoss the top work. Thinking of taking the three tabs that are spot welded to the 85 and just add them to the 83 possibly spot welding them or bolting them to the car. But for the most part the there hasnt been any real difficulties in changing over the interiors. You just take the brackets and bolt them to the other car.

 

Do you have the air ducts off the other car? It might require changing the entire heater core and duct system. On a side note, have you checked to see if the newer heater control and wiring will work with the older components? That may neccesitate and entire change anyway.

Installing the tabs off the other body sounds like it shouls work.

 

drill your own holes or justdo alotta rigging.

 

I have the whole car. The 83 was already stripped of the heating cooling componets. The blower motor to the heater core all fit as long as you take the repective brackets for the car with them. I took the guts out of the A/C condenser box under the dash. Filled the holes for the hoses that goto the enginebay with excess plastic material I found inside the box. I still want to have heat, Just not to worried about cold.
As for the wiring I'm pulling the wiring harness from the 85. I have been labeling as I pull stuff out. After I pull it out I will be eliminating the extra wires, such as emissions or the items that will not be used anymore like the choke what not.

 

Any updates on your progress with this project? I'm curious to know since I'm starting this exact same project (complete interior 85-->83 swap). How did you solve the problem with the 3 10mm bolts along the top of the dash?

G-man

 

The side dash vents suck anyways.
They dont vent any heat except the small side window de-misters, when in defrost mode.
If you want cool,outside air.....roll down the window!

 

I did this a few years ago.
I simply cut the bolts that did not fit. Worked fine for me.

// Magnus