ckathens

First question: is the 924S (up to '88) the exact same dash as that used for the early 944's? basically if i find a 924S from like 87 or 88 with a decent dash, can I transplant it easily over to my '83 944?

Second: I've heard some rumbling that its pretty difficult to change out the dash on the early 944's. Is this really true? If any of you has done it, how long does it take? My car is NOT a daily driver so it's not a big deal if it sits there for a week or more without a dash on.

Third: What's a good price for a dash from either an early 944 or a 924S (if they are interchangable)? I'm going to be covering mine up with a dash cap anyways so small cracks are ok. I'm more worried about it not falling apart as I try to install it and making sure it matches the rest of the car (which is being converted from brown to black interior)

Fourth and finally: Given the above questions, anyone have an early 944 or 924S (if interchangeable) dash for sale in ok or better condition?

Any and all information is, as usual, quite appreciated!

Steve

pete944

As far as I know they are identical. The 924S has better looking gauges with white numbers though.

Don 944 LA

to find one in good condition is rare..
So, the price will probably reflect that.

Lead Foot 944

PP has 2 in their warehouse, brand new from the factory..... This was about one year ago....and they wanted about 1300 or something for each one....CAme close to spending the money, but I found better ways to spend 1300 on my 944 rather then on a dash.....and some of that included the purchase of a coverlay dash cover.....It looks pretty good, better then a cracked dash i suppose....

DAmian

mybaby924s

As for changing it, I have had my dash off twice and it was very easy. I think the hardest part was finding all of screws where it's connectedd, and that was not very hard.

ckathens

Yah i'm fine with a slightly or partially cracked dash, since it will be covered up by the dash cap. $1300 is way too much for a dash for this car since its worth less than twice that in its current condition. I'm really looking for something which is strong enough that it won't break when I put it in, and is in black.... The rest will be covered up by the dash cover.

tod84944

Check Performance Products. I think they had some new black ones for 800.00 or something like that. Of the ones that I have sold out of early cars, I usually get 75.00 for ones with small cracks but no "puckers". A really good used one will fetch around 200.00 that I have seen.

89magic98

Makes me feel lucky.

I got my replacement dash (still in the box) from a guy in NZ who imported a car from Japan, and was converting it to RHD. I got an excellent price (even when you consider shipping).

Granite 944

AFAIK, 87-88 924S is the same as early 944's.

I recently pulled the dash on my '83 out to replace the heater core and hoses. No, it is not at all hard to do. Like most things, just time consuming, especially the first time you do it. I think you should also think about replacing the heater core and hoses too, since it is so time consuming, and your almost there anyway. Look at those components real seriously before you begin (while your in there syndrome). Also a great time for cleaning/checking the main fuse block grounds, wire connectons to fuse/relay block, replacing light bulbs and such.

Not a hard job at all, but there are just a couple of small pitfalls you can avoid by asking when your ready to do the job. I think its clarks garage that has a pretty good write up on it also?

Price wise, for decent ones, I've seen them for sale for $50.00 to $400.00 plus. How lucky are ya at any given time is what it mostly boils down to I think.

I've never done a dash coverlay before, but have seen several that didn't adhere very well, thus kinda looking not so good........research this part real good.

Good luck!

ACG

ckathens,

I have a early 944 spare dash in black. It is covered with the Coverlay plastic a dash cover. I am thinking $100 + shipping ($25 for ground?)

If you are interested, let me know via PM.

Dmitry S.

Next week i'm planning on trying to recover my dash in a vinyl called Deko - i'll post results. Seems to be pretty stretchy, but i might have to do it in multiple pieces due to the complex curves of the dash.

Tom Carson

early:

http://www.924.org/techsection/12body.htm#3 - Dashboard - removal and installation
or
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-26.htm

late:

http://tech.rennlist.com/924_944/por...stallation.pdf
or
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-24.htm

ckathens

Thanks for the replies guys. VERY useful as usual. I promise i'll join up with rennlist as soon as my student loans come in - in about a month.

Andrew, you've got a PM.

M758

I also have an 88 924S black dash. Some minor cracks I believe. I do however have a black on white gauge cluster. In pretty good shape. Let me know if you are interested.