alright ive been looking into an early 80s model yoter i went and looked at one yesterday and it had a cracked up mess of a dash board, 1st how doable and 2nd is it possable to swap a early 90s model dash to a 1st gen? i know its not going to be a bolt on job but how doable is it?

 

Depends on how patient you are. Anything is "doable", but a dash replacement is a tricky one. Sounds like a good idea though. Depending on how the rest of your truck looks, I would consider making a dash from scratch. I'm planning on building my own dash (one day), with some Autometer guages and custom touches (like form and paint).

 

Took some pictures of my 2nd Gen Dash for ya, just to get an idea;




It's 135cm wide, approximately. Click for fullsize................................................About 72cm off the floor in height. Click for fullsize


Measurement from the floor. Click!.................................................. .............. and the width of the instrument panel. Click!

 

it can be done, youll need to mood the crossbar, and other things as well from what i can remember reading.

search over on pirate, i know its been done before, 3rd gen interior into a first gen p/u, taco interior into a first gen runner. i got pics somewhere, just cant find em.

 

thanks im still looking for posts on it if anyone else has done it otherwise if i end up going through with it ill be sure to post it thanks guys.

 

FOUND!

Pirate; http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=668813

Looks pretty straight forward. No "write up", but there was no mods to the plastic, only the cross bar underneath. So you'll need a cutoff wheel or hacksaw to trim, and a drill to do the bolt holes.

One guy even swapped the wheel to a 2nd gen. All in all, they look way better.

 

man that looks WAY better makor props for finding it thanks!!!

 

i didnt see any step by steps but still nice to see it can be done! if i get into this build that will deff be one of the 1st steps i do! does anyone know about door panels? i dont think its doable just wanted to ask

 

idk... kinda cool idea, but its got a lot of gaps... like between the door and dash, around the steering column, and even the glove box... for me, i guess, i like a little better fit and finish...

 

Dang I wonder can a 2000 taco dash go into a 2 gen runner that way I can keep the original dash to my 3.4 swap and it's actual mileage of the motor.

 

heck its only 7 years and 2 body styles different!!

 

anything is doable its just how much customizing you have to do. id really like to put a 06 taco dash in an 85 with the in dash GPS that would just be sick but i dont know how doable that one is! lol

 

Im looking in to swapping a taco dash in my 87. I see a ton of issues but i have done a bunch of dash swaps in VW's I also know a few guys that seriously are amazing when it comes to a factory flush fit with a dash and having everything work. Most of the headache is making vents work, Heater control, cluster fitting, Wiring the new goodies.

 

If you don't have power windows, you may have a bit of a problem rolling the driver's window up and down. My truck's PO swapped in a 2nd gen Runner dash - apparently quite hastily - and it looks like crap. There are not only gaps (as someone mentioned) but the top of the dash doesn't line up with the windshield either.

Personally, I'd rather spend a few more $ and replace the OE dash.

Just my $.02

 

i dunno if i hade to repace it i think id make a diamond plate dash with custom guages but i wasnt trying to do all that i like the 3nd gen dash so i think ill atempt that especially since i got one in the barn!