71 dash in a 73?

[mantastical]

was just wondering if a dash from a 71 240z would fit directly in a 73 240z? thank you in advance

[=Enigma=]

Dunno about the mounting points, but in the 73 they moved the cigarette lighter from the console to the dash above the emergency flasher switch, and changed the emergency switch from a toggle style to a push/pull style switch, so you be giving up the lighter. Not a big deal really. I'm sure someone has been through this so you should find answer by searching the forums. That said, I recommend trying to find the proper dash or use a dash cap if this is all about trying to deal with a cracked dash. There's also a thread on fixing a cracked dash in here somewhere.

[Arne]

I believe the dash itself will fit, but the wiring is very different.

[DougN]

As Arne has said, it will fit but the wiring is different. The good news is that you can take the gauges from your '73 and put them in the 71 dash, and that will solve most of the issues. Note that your lighted heater control panel is not a good fit, and some work/modification will be needed to get it to fit, or you can stick with the non-lighted heater control panel from the '71 dash (if it has one).

[EVILC]

You can just remove the outter skin of the 73 dash and put it on your 71 frame to keep all of your wires intact.

[mantastical]

cool thanks everyone

[mantastical]

You can just remove the outter skin of the 73 dash and put it on your 71 frame to keep all of your wires intact.

would you happen to know how to remove the outer skin? and replace it with the other?

[Mike B]

I don't think I would try that if your 71 dash is uncracked. You would have to be very careful and lucky not to crack it trying to do a transfer. Out of curiousity, I tried to remove the outerskin from a junk dash from a parts car once and that didn't go very well. Maybe EvilC has some special technique I'm not aware of. I think Doug is right that the heater control panel area may be slightly different though, so I wonder if that would cause issues trying to do a transfer?

-Mike

[DougN]

As Mike says, I would hesitate to try to remove the "skin" from an uncracked dash. I guess the best question is why you want to switch dashes - then we can provide more "focused" advice. As I mentioned, it is certainly possible, with some work.

[alexdeprat]

Greetings, to remove the "Outer Skin" the dashboard has to be out of the car, the outer skin is held by a series of medium size screws (very easy to identified), now! just like the others members have mention, I would be extremely careful trying to remove the skin from an uncracked dash, I have personally done the removal (Outer Skin) twice with real bad luck. Just my two cents.

Take care!

Edited February 27, 2009 by alexdeprat

[bpilati]

The 73 dash funcationality is better because the heater controls are lighted.

[EVILC]

You have to be very very very very very very very careful taking the "skin" off. The dash must be out of the car and you have to take your time. Friend of mine just removed the dash "skin" off his 260z last week and we did the 240 dash a few years ago. Practice on the cracked dash first and then give the crack free dash a nice coating of vaseline and do it in a warm place...heated garage or in the house.