nh7cy

I was just wondering out of curiosity, if an 85 and a half dash would fit on a pre 85 and a half car.

No doubt the 83 dash is functional, in fact, the one i have is in great shape, but i was just curious if i ever came accross an 85 and a half dash at an unbeatable price, if i would be able to put that in my car as i preffer it's more up to date appearance.

Mike C.

A search on this subject should find some threads. From what I remember reading it is not easy at all because of changes in the ventilation system, etc.

944kid

The answer is a general "no."

However a rare *few* have done it, with varying degrees of success. Search, and you just might find what you're looking for. Heck, I might have asked this question way back when, too.

WizPorsche944

I have an 87 and Id rather have the early dash

nh7cy

I actually like the pre 85 and a half dash for that retro musclecar look as well as its simplicity. I was just wondering for sake of a future project.

V2Rocket

I was wondering this earlier and was about to post this topic..weird.

I'll trade you my early dash for your late dash

82-T/A

Honestly... installing an 85.5+ dash into an early 83-85 has got to be easier than any other kind of dash install. It's not a simple 1-1 swap, but as far as dashes go, it just can't get much easier. I've seen people put all kinds of dashes in Pontiac Fieros... making all kinds of modifications. For the later dash in an earlier Porsche, the biggest issue is making sure the steering column fits, and that the HVAC ducts line up.


Todd

mavfan

ummmm.... how about all the gauges?! the late dash connects up with wires, while the early connects up with cables... have fun converting that over!

Rock

To tell the truth it would probally be easier to saw the car in half and weld the late r front to the earlier rear.

white924s

anything is technically possible, but its really not practical. Late cars aren't hard to find, so if you really want the late dash, I'd suggest swapping rides

82-T/A

I don't mean this to be a crack on anyone here... but I've found that a lot of things on here people make out to be much more difficult than they really are. With a little ingenuity, things can be done fairly easily, and still look decent. If you didn't want to mess with the wiring, you could always make a gauge cluster backing panel and mount your pre 85.5 gauges to that within the confines of the original gauge cluster surround. It wouldn't take much more than a 1/8th inch thick of sheet metal, painted black, with holes cut out. (Could be easily done with a jig and a drill press. Harbor Freight Tools sells drill-presses for like $40 bucks.


Really, this swap is not a big deal. Like I said, it will require some modification, but the dash itself is mostly a drop in. I mean, it has the same measurements from A-pillar to A-pillar... what more could you ask for in a dash swap?

Legoland951

The dash is not a drop in. I posted lots earlier. I do agree with some creativity you can do anything but whats the point in using early cluster if you want a late look? The process is considered "difficult" by me and I think I tried just about everything several times that can be done on a 944/951. You will have to change the door panels to late ones for the dash to fit and have to cut the door sheet metal for a right fit of late panels on an early door if memory serves me correctly. The center consol is different so you have to change that too. The late windshield is slightly larger but a little squeeze will get the late dash in an early car. None of your a/c or heater controls will work with the late stuff since the early is all cable operated and not electric. For the late climate control to work with an early one, you need enough selenoids/servos to double the wiring diagram of your entire car probably. The speedo and instrument cluster wiring is completely different so its probably easier to change the transmission than to buy the proper mechanical to electronic signal generator plus proper caliberation for it to work properly. I have seen it done on a car I owned with much NOT working in the car. If you pay someone to do the conversion PROPERLY, and I am not talking about a frankenstein early mixed with late parts, the conversion with parts will cost you more than buying a complete running 85.5+ 944.

yellowline

Just to add to Legoland, playing with the early fusebox is a nightmare. The late one is in a MUCH better location. The early schematic is truly craptacular for adding anything at all.

I'll put it this way: I hope my timing belt fails before I melt another wire going into the 30-pin connectors under there.

sillbeer

me too!! I also melted a headlight switch harness!! what fun!

82-T/A

Just to add to what you guys have said (on the side)... one of my harnesses (for the radio) was shot. I ended up adding an inconspicuous heavy gauge wire from the battery back to the radio (which I in turn also used for the cigarette lighter). I just couldn't see myself using that flimsy little wire for either of them.

I'm really suprised, honestly...

I decided to "upgrade" my car with 924S / Turbo gauges (I prefer the red needle / white lettering over the yellow gauges) and I've found that all of the wiring that came from the older late 70s 924s was nearly twice as thick as the ones in my 944. For example, when I compare the console wiring from my 944 to the console wiring that I got from the 1979 924, the one from the 924 was easily twice the thicknesss (if not more so). I wonder why Porsche did that?