calling all swap gurus 95 to 98

[buick68]

Hello, would like to know if anyone has swapped out the old style 90's dash for the newer 97's and up dash if so any and all info with pics i have a 1995 astro RWD love the look of the rap around dash

[redfury]

No specific info, but I would imagine that changing to the new dash would be completely dependent on if they changed the way the heater box distributed heat and any mounting points. Considering how little the Astro really changed over the lifespan of it, I can't imagine that many parts ARE NOT interchangeable with little or no modification being needed. The real issue would be the electrical interface with the gauge pod, since you are dealing with an OBD 1/2 interchange.

I don't think I'd worry about how it mounts up, or if there would be issues with the steering wheel. I think the issues to focus on/research would be

Heater box/controls
dog house
instrument cluster
light switch
and locations of these components in relation to the old/new dash configuration.

I know the location of the hood release on the old Gen 1's is under the dash and the Gen 2 are on the left kick panel. The details are what would hang you up the longest/send you back and forth to the parts yard. If you had a donor vehicle parked next to the 95, then that would be ideal, and I think you could make the swap pretty easy-being able to compare each side by side.

[G Mc]

Heres a pic of my 97 without the dash if it helps you....

You might notice that i've managed to use the original heater controls and a vent...funny that they were exactly a "Din" size, so they're located in the radio anr cd player slots...the kenwood touchscreen is mounted in the Ford heater/vent space....

[Somedood]

Very good job! tons of work but, you put steering wheel on the wrong side...

[Phantom]

Looking really good ,, is your dash different than the USA ones other than the steering wheel? I have been wanting to put in a touchscreen in about the same place as you have put your screen , but your HVAC controls and the center console area look different , did you make those mods and if so what did you use for parts ? or is that all factory original?

[redfury]

looks like he swapped out the radio spot for the controls and the storage/CD slot for the dash vents. Pretty slick, I'd like to see how that all gets buttoned up. I like the instrument cluster mod too.

[G Mc]

Cheers guys..just to clarify..the only part left of the original dash is the clock/gauges and facia....
The rest of the dash is from a 1996 Ford Granada Scorpio (Merkur Scorpio).
The double din player is located into the spot once occupied by the Ford heater vents and controls..My heater controls are where the Ford radio was with the vent just below where the cd player was...as i've said they fit perfectly in with not much fab work..
Just need to work out how to remove the "dog house" without having to remove the whole dash......

[Somedood]

IMPRESSIVE

[G Mc]

OK so, dash out again (my arms are aching ) ..used some MDF to fill in th gap at the windshield...i'ts been all glassed over since photo but its now back in the van for a few days (damn work ) ..it'll come back out later in the week and get filled...trying to incorporate the cup holders and tidy things up a bit before she finally is ready for painting.. ..for now..

[G Mc]

Well i've finished the dash..overall pretty pleased with the end result...I managed to make the cupholders and storage bin fit too..which was a bonus and finishes off the lower part well i think..

[94 Van Guy]

That's a nice lookin' dash. I've been watching and the end result is beyond words.
Thanks for sharing your work,

Keith

[Leeann_93]

That's a heckuva job - looks like it came from the factory that way!

[alexalexanders]

Thats an awesome job on the dash!

[Phantom]

Great work on the dash ,, one question , how do you get the engine cover off?

[G Mc]

Great work on the dash ,, one question , how do you get the engine cover off?

DOH...... ...

Just kiddin...you'll see from the pic that i've had to cut the cover all the way around just where the dash center finishes, so when i remove the cup holder/bin i can access the bolts ...the alloy tape is there to stop drafts/fumes....

[tedanderson]

Just need to work out how to remove the "dog house" without having to remove the whole dash......

You could probably put a horizontal cut through it and hinge it together. So when you unclip the bottom half, you can lift it up giving you enough clearance to slide down the top half.

[Phantom]

Great work on the dash ,, one question , how do you get the engine cover off?

DOH...... ...
Just kiddin...you'll see from the pic that i've had to cut the cover all the way around just where the dash center finishes, so when i remove the cup holder/bin i can access the bolts ...the alloy tape is there to stop drafts/fumes....

Novel approach , I'm sure there is some sort of rubber seal /weatherstripping that can be used there to seal out noise/fumes , I have used duct tape on some things and have seen that after time and it ages when tried to remove it deteriorates and leaves residue and dries out requiring adhesive removal , nice job on the dash

[G Mc]

Yeah i'll be lookin into getting some sort of "H" shaped rubber seal that i will stick to the top section ...the hinge idea is a good idea, but might be a bit of a struggle trying to fit it all back in especially when the seat is back in....i'm banking on NEVER having to take the cover off......

[g0t0pless]

Can the original poster please fix the picture links? I am very curious how this turned out. Thanks!

[scott936]

Can the original poster please fix the picture links? I am very curious how this turned out. Thanks!

YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!