dash swap
12-11-09, 01:07 PM
#1
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dash swap
ok i have a problem with the dash in my 86 fc. i have no desire to try to find a good used dash and hope that one lasts... I would like to swap the dash and door panels for one out of another car entirely. has anyone done this? if so what dash and door panels would work? I was thinking S13/240sx
12-11-09, 01:10 PM
#2
ok i have a problem with the dash in my 86 fc. i have no desire to try to find a good used dash and hope that one lasts... I would like to swap the dash and door panels for one out of another car entirely. has anyone done this? if so what dash and door panels would work? I was thinking S13/240sx
12-12-09, 03:07 AM
#4
ok i have a problem with the dash in my 86 fc. i have no desire to try to find a good used dash and hope that one lasts... I would like to swap the dash and door panels for one out of another car entirely. has anyone done this? if so what dash and door panels would work? I was thinking S13/240sx
think about it, the gauge cluster is a unique shape,
the cluster suround and turn signals are all unique shapes,
heater controls wont fit in another dash,
besides lengths and widths being off too im sure.
the fc has a unique door shape as well.
options iether find a used dash? well u said ud ont want to do that one...
so maybe custom recover the stock dash? with some material of your liking?
12-12-09, 05:50 AM
#5
You would have to custom build it from fiberglass or carbon fiber. Also, the only way to remove the stock dash is to remove the windshield first. there are four mounts on top that you will not be able to remove with the windshield installed.
but why would you want to put in another dash? mazda did a really good job designing one that is both ergonomic and attractive.
but why would you want to put in another dash? mazda did a really good job designing one that is both ergonomic and attractive.
12-12-09, 06:07 AM
#6
The Firestarter
You would have to custom build it from fiberglass or carbon fiber. Also, the only way to remove the stock dash is to remove the windshield first. there are four mounts on top that you will not be able to remove with the windshield installed.
but why would you want to put in another dash? mazda did a really good job designing one that is both ergonomic and attractive.
but why would you want to put in another dash? mazda did a really good job designing one that is both ergonomic and attractive.
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12-12-09, 06:42 AM
#8
IIRC the S13 dashes are prone to cracking in the middle.
This is complete nonsense-please ignore.
You would have to custom build it from fiberglass or carbon fiber. Also, the only way to remove the stock dash is to remove the windshield first. there are four mounts on top that you will not be able to remove with the windshield installed.
but why would you want to put in another dash? mazda did a really good job designing one that is both ergonomic and attractive.
but why would you want to put in another dash? mazda did a really good job designing one that is both ergonomic and attractive.
12-12-09, 07:30 AM
#9
Seems to me I've seen pics of FC's with alternate dashboards...finding one that will sit in the car is one thing, actually attaching it and making everything functional is another.
Your stock doorpanels- at least the underpinnings- would probably have to be used and suitably modified to meet the dash end.
Depending on your donor vehicle, wiring in the gauge cluster would probably be fairly simple but since most newer cars use an electronic speedo, you'd have that to deal with.
The dash is one of the most concentrated/complex assemblies in the whole car...swapping in a different one would be quite an undertaking but doable, I should think.
Your stock doorpanels- at least the underpinnings- would probably have to be used and suitably modified to meet the dash end.
Depending on your donor vehicle, wiring in the gauge cluster would probably be fairly simple but since most newer cars use an electronic speedo, you'd have that to deal with.
The dash is one of the most concentrated/complex assemblies in the whole car...swapping in a different one would be quite an undertaking but doable, I should think.
12-12-09, 09:31 AM
#10
I wasn't aware FC dashes were that low quality. Both of my gray dashes were perfect in my two FC's until I broke each of them because I was a moron. I don't think it is going to be harder to find a good condition FC dash within a few hours of you than it will be trying to retrofit something else into your car. What's to say you'll find a 240 dash closer to you than an FC dash?? Sounds to me like someone local to you has a 240 that they'll give the interior away from, and your hoping someone on the forum will say
12-12-09, 10:56 AM
#11
MECP Certified Installer
ok i have a problem with the dash in my 86 fc. i have no desire to try to find a good used dash and hope that one lasts... I would like to swap the dash and door panels for one out of another car entirely. has anyone done this? if so what dash and door panels would work? I was thinking S13/240sx
Admins: PLEASE fix the reply button!!!!
12-12-09, 04:21 PM
#13
The stock dashboard plastic (the stuff that all the various parts attach to) gets really brittle and starts to break apart as it ages. Pretty typical mid-80's Mazda.
I'd rather just spend the bucks on a new dashboard than try to retrofit something from another car. They're not THAT expensive.
I'd rather just spend the bucks on a new dashboard than try to retrofit something from another car. They're not THAT expensive.
12-12-09, 05:39 PM
#15
The stock dashboard plastic (the stuff that all the various parts attach to) gets really brittle and starts to break apart as it ages. Pretty typical mid-80's Mazda.
I'd rather just spend the bucks on a new dashboard than try to retrofit something from another car. They're not THAT expensive.
I'd rather just spend the bucks on a new dashboard than try to retrofit something from another car. They're not THAT expensive.
All the plastic bits disintegrate, but the main dash is pretty durable. Go down to the Mazda dealer or register for Mazda Motorsports and buy all the broken stuff. For around $100 you can replace most of the trim pieces.
You're not gonna find anything else that bolts in.
12-13-09, 09:30 PM
#18
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don't interrupt someone doing what you say can't be done!
12-14-09, 08:08 AM
#21
i dont think your problem is the dash. the problem is you bought an fc and wish it was a RWD honda civic.
you have more of a desire to go through the trouble of retrofitting a dash from a nissan.
and fyi it will cost you way more to buy a dash and door panels, for a s13 and fit them in your ride. i know because i would sell you either a usdm or jdm dash for $50.
so lets see, either your a really horribly retarded noob, or you just dont know how to convey your intentions.
if your just doing this to be different go for it, if it where me i would do something more lavish like swap a dash from a luxury car, that way its unique.
but please dont waste our time buy disguising your faggotry with misleading reasons such as "i dont have enough money
"
because you make no sence.
that is all.
you have more of a desire to go through the trouble of retrofitting a dash from a nissan.
and fyi it will cost you way more to buy a dash and door panels, for a s13 and fit them in your ride. i know because i would sell you either a usdm or jdm dash for $50.
so lets see, either your a really horribly retarded noob, or you just dont know how to convey your intentions.
if your just doing this to be different go for it, if it where me i would do something more lavish like swap a dash from a luxury car, that way its unique.
but please dont waste our time buy disguising your faggotry with misleading reasons such as "i dont have enough money
"because you make no sence.
that is all.
We routinely swap in parts from other cars (even domestics, gasp!) to either improve performance ( Taurus efan/alternator, anybody?) or looks (wheels from a multitude of cars)...do you object to all of that also?
Although the pics of the s-13 dash aren't good enough to really evaluate how good the fit is, from what is shown it's a lot closer than I would have guessed.
With the totally bare interior It's also tough to decide how well the swoopier styling would fit with the harder edged/more formal styling of the rest of the car, but it's still intriguing.
It should also be noted that simply bolting in the dash carcass is probably the easiest part of such a conversion.
Integrating the subsystems behind it (heat/AC/defrost vents, for instance) to achieve functionality would be hellish, not to mention dealing with our very unique and heavily integrated switchgear...I can't even begin to imagine how that would be done.
That said, I'd be interested to see such a swap done well...the ingenuity- if nothing else- would be laudable.
12-14-09, 11:24 AM
#22
^ that is the point i was trying to make, he says it cost to much to get a new fc dash. yet he wants to retrofit the wrong dash because its cheaper 
id say if he has to ask advice on how to do it, it will never get done. thus he should spend money on something every fc needs.......... like paint
id say if he has to ask advice on how to do it, it will never get done. thus he should spend money on something every fc needs.......... like paint
12-14-09, 12:52 PM
#25
Rotary Enthusiast
found the thread..
https://www.rx7club.com/20b-forum-95/my-new-n-side-port-20b-fc-460102/
https://www.rx7club.com/20b-forum-95/my-new-n-side-port-20b-fc-460102/
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