would a steel dash panel from a 69 cutlass be the same as that of a 68 cutlass. mine is rusted where the windshield seals to it. thanks.

 

Hi Bob
I think they are the same, someone else who knows for sure will need to verify. But the fact you have a convertible also may need to be mentioned. I know the 70-72 wagon and 4 door use a different windshield than the 2 door. I don't know where the convertible falls in there. John

 

If the rust is just under where the windshield sits, you can patch it several different ways.

Mine was bad.
DSC02604.jpg

But with a combination of the widely available patch piece and some creative metal work, it's now good as new. Might be easier than trying to spice in a whole dash.

 

The rust is usually in the cowl too as Indy_68_S has shown in his pic above. Mine was about the same as his. I patched the cowl and I made a patch panel and welded it in where the dash was rusted. Is your rust as high as the speaker grille? If it's below then it can be fixed without a new dash.

 

The rust is pretty extensive, much more than in the pic above. Patching in a new piece is certainly an option but I have a line on one from a 69 and would rather go that route if its the same as my 68.
Bob

 

68-72 is the same sheetmetal frame. 70-72 frame will have an additional hole to bolt the passenger leg of the dash pad that the 68-69 pad doesn't cover. However this will not effect your 69 dash doner.

 

Are you sure about that? 70-72 doesn't have the slots in the top of the dash metal like 68-69 does and on the passenger side above the glove box it appears to be different. I can't even remember if those slots do anything. I've never seen a 68-69 dash installed in a 70-72 or visa-versa. Not to say that it couldn't be done but a dash metal replacement is a major job with a lot of spot welds to be drilled out. I'd be more comfortable with a 68 or 69 dash which I know are the same.

 

I guess what i should have done was stick to the OP question. Which is yes the 69 dash will work drop in. And not get into the 70-72 dash chassis. There are a few more suttle differences other than the hole i mentioned but didn't want to take off on an unrelated topic. Kind of like saying 68-72 car frames are all the same. Which they are not yet will fit all years.