jgporsche

Something seems to be eating away at me. My '86 951 has one really terrific interior. But one thing thing that really bugs me is my 1980's dash. The rest of the car looks so modern. I was wondering if anyone has tried to replace their dash with that of a 996's? Could it even be done?




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Jesse

'86 951 millenium yellow
'88 944S guards red

testarossa_td

I doubt it. Your best bet might be starting with a race dash(gt-racing.com) and building from there.

I actually really like the late oval dash Simple and to the point.

aeronautica86

I suppose anything is possible with enough money, but chances are that the project would cost vastly more than you would be willing to spend.

I also really like the dash of the later 944 - classy and simple without any unnecessary parts, personally I like it alot better than the 986/996 dash...though I have always liked the 993 dash as well

944kid

Is it just me, or are there other people who like the earlier dash? Like aeronautica86 says, anything can be done with enough money.

Besides, the dash you have now fits really well with the personality of the car.
Some lister--- "If it ain't broke, fix it until it is!"

Happy motoring,
the kid

FRporscheman

I would start from an aftermarket dash. What part about it don't you like?

Both my 944s have the early dash, and I prefer it to the late dash. It has more of a retro European sports car feel to it. The late dash looks too much like the dash in my brother's ram, and many other modern cars. I like the late dash too, don't get me wrong, but it's just less distinct.

Welcome to Rennlist!

Peckster

It's an 80s car.

ventoGT

I think that putting a 996 Dash in would not only be hideously expensive but would also look very out of place in the car...the graphics on the numberals are different, it would possibly be impossible to connect up all of the wiring, and it would make the rest of the car look old and dated. Not to mention the fact that the 996 Dash is shaped to fit a 996, and the windshield profile, ventilation, width and shape of the 2 cars are totally different....

95Juan

i love the early dash. if it existed, i would buy an '84 951. but it doesnt, and i dont have the time/money for a swap, so i'll stick with my decently modern dash, and maybe get an early 944 and V8 it sometime down the road. oops, i forgot where i am....

jgporsche

vento, you're probly right. I dunno. I guess I was wishing for something a little too unobtainable. Thanks, for the input everyone.




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Jesse

'86 951 millenium yellow
'88 944S guards red

silverbullet

Why don't you work on making the one you have better? I'm planning on putting real brushed aluminum trim on mine (ala bmw z4) to go with the aluminum pedals and stainless sills. You could do carbon fiber. You could do a two color combo like Porsche did on later 944/968s, like black/tan, black/yellow,etc. Get creative, nothings better the custom one-off work!

Robert D

There is also the option of changing the dash lights. Amber is a rather dated looking color for dash instruments, which is why it is tough to find a CD Player with the same lighting color scheme. Another option I've seen has been digital gauges...I saw them on an ebay car years ago and it had a bunch of other strange mods....like Ruf headlights....I don't know who has that car now.

Porsche-O-Phile

I echo the sentiments of most here in saying that the 944 interior is fine. It's simple and uncomplicated and unpretentious. Most of the newer cars have all these goofy alien spaceship curves and crap that just do nothing except visually clutter the interior (and add cost, of course).

I also like the early cars' dash layout more than the later ones - simpler, easier, etc. The instruments actually light up at night too. Probably the only thing I don't like is the size of the a/c **** (a tad too large) but other than that, I love it.

Less really is more sometimes.

jgporsche

the digital gauges sound pretty neat. i'll try and search for them. Has anyone else seen them advertised before? I have seen those dash trim kits and have been thinking very seriously about buying one. But, I have seen them advertised for quite a bit of money too. Right now my money is going to getting a digital afr/boost gauge. Found one for a pretty decent price that does both.



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Jesse

'86 951 millenium yellow
'88 944S guards red

theedge

More and more new ones have the option of multiple colors... The new Alpines give you 512 choices.

Serge944

I dislike the early dash because it is an ergonomically BAD design. The late one is quite good (and aesthetically pleasing too).

If you think a dash trim kit is expensive, you can kill ANY dash swap idea. It requires skills to custom fabricate something like that (which your average person doesn't possess) and/or a lot of money.

All the clarion pro audio units have adjustable lighting too.