240z Dash Differences

[ryoojin83]

Ok, I used the search function and didn't quite find what I was looking for, and I also looked on Zhome.com which answered most of my questions. But...

What exactly is the difference between the '72 Dash, and the '73 dash? just the lighter and hazard switch?

On zhome, it said in the time line, that the '73 had a modified dash, so I looked around more and found info about dash differences, and it compared the 70-71 and the 72, but wasn't sure if there was a big difference between the 72 and 73 other than the hazzard toggle being changed to a push/pull type.

(also someone mentioned something about the lights on the lighters?)

Thanks for your time.

[Bambikiller240]

73 dash contained a heater control panel that had lighted features, so that you could see the heater controls at night in order to more accurately adjust them.

My 72 has a small light in the cigarette lighter receptical ( I guess so that you can see where to plug it back into the dash at night) I'm not sure if the 73 dash has that, but I would suspect that it would.

[ryoojin83]

thank you very much for the quick reply!

...other than the lights, there is no pysical change in the main black dash pad right? ( i assume not since you didn't mention it, just thought id make sure though )

[Bambikiller240]

The only thing I am aware of is that the shape of the heater control panel is supposed to be *slightly* different from previous control panels. I been told that the 73 heater control panel will still fit in a 72 dash, but I haven't observed it myself.

You may want to ask EScanlon, as I beleive that he is familiar with this issue.

[ryoojin83]

thanks, that answers my questions...

[hls30.com]

They are just different enough that a full cover for a '73 will not fit a '72 dash and vice versa-I actually have full covers for both because of a shipping problem from years ago with MSA...don't ask! I can get both of them out, and take pictures over the next week or so, if it will help!

Will

[lonetreesteve]

If you ask me, the dash caps are cheesy and if you were to ever to enter your Z in a car show, judges detest them! Find a replacement dash or have it professionally repaired. Sometimes you can find solid dashes on eBay. There is also a company in Seattle who repairs them for about $600.00 I believe.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by lonetreesteve

If you ask me, the dash caps are cheesy and if you were to ever to enter your Z in a car show, judges detest them! Find a replacement dash or have it professionally repaired. Sometimes you can find solid dashes on eBay. There is also a company in Seattle who repairs them for about $600.00 I believe.

OK, I'll take your advice, but first; what is your credit card number? Not everyone has $600, and a month of down time of the car to spare on cosmetic issues.

[hls30.com]

I am getting one back from DashRestoration in the next several days. If you put a full cap on right, only a car show judge would notice it, and even then only if he was really looking. The install is the invitation for the cheese. The cover on my '73 fit so well, many Z nuts missed that it was a cover until I pointed it out.

http://www.hls30.com/hls30_003.htm

The only places that will give it away if it is carefully installed are the edges at the sides. The openings for the guages are another place that careful installation can hide. If you ever saw one properly installed with the doors shut, my guess is you would be hard pressed to tell. Most people just want the cracks covered, and do not take the time and energy to make the fit as close to perfect as possable-resulting in a cheesy look!

I prefer a restored dash as well, but in a daily driver, $100 and and an afternoon of work beats $600 plus about $100 in shipping, and two afternoons of work! I will post pictures to sho the differences betweeen the two when the dash gets here-check my gallery for prerestoration shots, adn search the archives for the other thread we have on this.

Will