1970 to 1969 dash swap

[derek nesdoly]

Got a question for those in the know. My 69 442 has all working instruments and a non-cracked dash. The latter however is really dark compared to the rest of my red interior. A local ex-Olds guy has a 1970 442 dash complete for sale[$250.00!!!]. It includes the guage pac with tic-toc-tach,heater controls,and even the map light I was looking for on this site.allworking. Q. will the dashes interchange? Just so you'll know,he's a retired auto parts millionaire who I met and got inspired by even before purchasing my 442....i.e. money NOT his problem. If nothing else,it would be great to have all the spare parts,even though I'll have to paint the dash as I did the headrests and armrests. If the answer is "no", I will have a great deal for you 70's owners,but please tell me the truth!! Derek

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by derek nesdoly

Got a question for those in the know. My 69 442 has all working instruments and a non-cracked dash. The latter however is really dark compared to the rest of my red interior. A local ex-Olds guy has a 1970 442 dash complete for sale[$250.00!!!]. It includes the guage pac with tic-toc-tach,heater controls,and even the map light I was looking for on this site.allworking. Q. will the dashes interchange? Just so you'll know,he's a retired auto parts millionaire who I met and got inspired by even before purchasing my 442....i.e. money NOT his problem. If nothing else,it would be great to have all the spare parts,even though I'll have to paint the dash as I did the headrests and armrests. If the answer is "no", I will have a great deal for you 70's owners,but please tell me the truth!! Derek

Nope, sorry. The steel support under the dash is completely different. 68-69 interchange and 70-72 interchange.

[jensenracing77]

if you decide to sell it let me know.

[derek nesdoly]

Thanks Joe, So the dash en masse won't exchange,but how about the instruments per se? Is it the same 68-69 vs. 70-72 affair? Derek

[2blu442]

Nope, the gauge pods attached differently. I did pull a 1970 pod out of a 1969 dash but they bent the brackets around to try and make it work. I wouldn't recommend it.

The best would be if you can purchase this from your friend and sell or trade it for the 1968-69 parts you need. If you can do that without offending your friend. John

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 2blu442

Nope, the gauge pods attached differently. I did pull a 1970 pod out of a 1969 dash but they bent the brackets around to try and make it work. I wouldn't recommend it.

Interesting, as I have the complimentary match - a set of 68-69 guages with the tabs bent and welded to fit the 70-72 dash. Of course, the faces of the gauges are different as well.

[2blu442]

If only Classicoldsmobile had been around when those two guys were trying to make things work

[68Tom]

So Derek, you're saying your dash PAD is dark, and you want to change the entire dash out of it, including the pods and gauges because of this? If this is the case, simply remove the pad and get some good vinyl dye/paint and paint it. I think you'll be surprised how great it will look. I'm not sure about Olds', but I know GM painted black dash pads the correct colors for '69 Camaros and they not only look good, but have held up fine over all these years.

If there's no real reason to mess with your dash other than that, I'd really leave it as is. And no offense to 70-72 owners, but I like the 68-69 dash much better. I just find it more stylish.