Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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wachuko
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Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Post by wachuko »

I am looking at a local car with no interior and a broken dash panel.

Will the dash panel from the 83 just plug into an '81 car?? Oil pressure gauge and everything else, wiring wise, is there in the 81??

Trying to see if it would be easy to transfer all the interior bits (minus carpet and top, looking for new items on those) from my '83 parts car to this '81...
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red107
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Re: Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Post by red107 »

I'm not sure if the later years had a oil pressure gauge. I know the earlier years had them. I know my 81 doesn't have one.
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Europa
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Re: Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Post by Europa »

Red, the later models do have an oil pressure gauge, right in the middle of the cluster.

Wachuko, I believe the gauges will fit fine. The dash layout is different with extra vents for the '83. I think you can make it fit the '83 dash on to the '81.
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wachuko
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Re: Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Post by wachuko »

Europa wrote:Red, the later models do have an oil pressure gauge, right in the middle of the cluster.

Wachuko, I believe the gauges will fit fine. The dash layout is different with extra vents for the '83. I think you can make it fit the '83 dash on to the '81.
Thank you. Question is, is it worth it to move it over? Instead of you taking it and installing it in a true 83+ car...

I can probably get an used dash panel for 30.00 locally, that would fix that..

I don't know.. still thinking about what the best route would be. Let me see first if I get the car...
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1981 Fiat Spider Progress thread
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red107
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Re: Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Post by red107 »

[quote="Europa"]Red, the later models do have an oil pressure gauge, right in the middle of the cluster.

Good to know. That is where my engine temp is. I believe it will work I know when i removed my complete interior i found many unused connectors like the power windows.
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wachuko
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Re: Wiring/Dashboard compatibility between 83 and 81

Post by wachuko »

OK, I will give it a try and be extremely careful not to break anything... :roll:

Edit - Change of heart... not doing it... this will help someone get his Pininfarina looking back to original...

Searching now for used parts for the '81.

Europa, you have email.
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Wachuko

1981 Fiat Spider Progress thread
1967 912 Progress Thread
1981 911 SC Coupe RS Transformation
1983 911 SC Coupe RSR Transformation
1991 964 C4 Cabriolet Progress Thread
2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d
2015 FIAT Abarth
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