I have a 1981 4x4, and the dash is trash. I've seen early and mid 70's Toyota trucks at the junkyard that have all metal dashes, with none of the foam crap. Has anyone ever swapped one of these into a newer truck? I've searched the forum, but I didn't come up with anything.

I'm going to the junkyard today to get some measurements, and to see how the older dashes are mounted. I know anything can "fit" with some fabrication, but I'm looking for a bolt-up solution.

 

Doubt you're going to find a "bolt-up" solution in a different interior style. I've never seen a thread where anybody did it, either, so you may be on your own. You're on the right track. Measure. If the outside dimensions are at least the same, then it won't be too hard to fab a way to make it connect to your mounts, especially if they're mostly metal. I really doubt the mounts are the same. You'll find a lot more info on completely custom dashes than what you're looking to do. If you do it, take photos and post a thread with a write-up on how you did it!

 

Just got back from the junkyard, no luck. I'm going to check a couple more yards tomorrow, and then it's custom dash time. Gotta have the metal dash!

 

umm have you tryed craigslist, we talking dash or just the gauges.

 

I've found a bench seat from an 88, and a grille from a 79 on flakeslist, but no dashes yet. I've got two gauge clusters, one with tach, one without, but it's the top of the dash that's bad.

I may try to find a metal dash from a 1960's Datsun truck to swap.