can i install a dash from a later model into my 78 SC?
 

G'day Pelicans....

It's time to replace the dash in my 78 911 SC, and I have my eyes on a dash from a later model ('86) that I can get for a fairly reasonable price. Obviously, not scientific, but by eyeballing it, it appears to be quite similar. Will it just drop in with minimal modifications, or will it be more trouble than it's worth? I've read similar article where someone updated to a 964 dash, which was pretty slick, but I'd prefer to stay as stock as possible. Has anyone tried this? Thanks!

No, it's not a direct replacement. Installing it correctly would involve sheet metal work. Stick to an earlier dash. Anything from 1977 through 1985 would work.

JR

Darn it. I was afraid of that. Thanks for the input!

did it to my 1981sc bigger vent http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1364936836.jpg

The sheet metal work is minimal, it involves enlarging your vent opening at the center. It can be done crudely and still function well. Somewhere around here is a photo of a guy who basically used a drill bit to enlarge the metal opening. That said, I'd look for the correct dash for your '78, it's much easier, and will retain the car's originality down the road. - Matt

You can get the center vent to work with some slight sheetmetal messaging, but the defrosters are covered by the later style plastic cover. So if you live in a part of the world that doesn't require defrosters, you should have no issues.

From what I understand (techweenie may want to chime in if he finds this, he's done the swap) the defroster will still function with the new dash as it has an opening across the entire leading edge. Maybe airflow would suffer some, I don't know.

Wasn't 86 the first year where the dash was redesigned and can be removed w-out taking the windshield out?

Thanks for the input, guys. So, from what I'm hearing, yes it can be done, but no it's not ideal. It'll take some work to get it in there, and I would no longer be able to use my defrosters, and some cutting is involved. While, a bit of cutting of the steel wouldn't bother me too much, no longer having the use of the defrosters might be an issue.

Not to mention that a dash that was used for 9 years ought to be at least as easy to find as one that was used for 4...

JR