new, old dash

[Maynard]

does the dash in my cherokee unbolt and come out? I was looking through the junk yard a found a 71 wag with a very decent dash, i was wondering if that could be bolted into my cherokee, i like the looks of the early 70's dashes much better.
thanks

[Crazy_Jeepman]

The dash unbolts, pull windsield and unbolt the bolts along the windshield frame (early 70's these will require a 7/16" socket later 70's a torx bit), and four under the dash, two on each side at the kick panels, then all the bolts at the steering and brake brackets. I have pulled many of them out and never seen any major differances. I just pulled out a dash from a 63 that I will put in my 70 because it is a all steel dash. the one in my 70 has a small pad on it and do like the all steel much better. So I think they are all the same I compared the one out of the 63 to a dash I have laying in the shop out of a 79 and they sure look the same. I guess I will find out when I go to put it in. Good Luck. ;)

[jeepbob]

Yes they are all the same basic dash panel, but where the problem comes in is at the steering column area. Unless you cut the dash you will need the early model brake pedal support as the bolt up at the dash is different. Then to use the later model steering column you will need to modify it as follows. First get all the mounting plates off the early column. Next take the late unit and remove the 4 weld nuts that are used to bolt the bracket on, a grinder works well for this. The shifter collar on the late unit will have to be shortened by about 4", eiter use a die grinder or a 4.5" grinder with a cut off wheel and be sure to cut straight. You will have to drill a 1/4" hole in the column where it goes into the dash as there is a locating pin. You will aslo have to remove the ignition switch fron the column as it will interfer with the dash. A better way to go would be to use a 66 to 70 steering column but I just have not gotten to that yet. I did not have one at the time I built my 65, but I do now.

[Maynard]

thanks for the info. i only hoped it would be as easy as just swapping, i know this jeep with the good dash has a pretty decent steering column, if i can get them both ill just do that, the only problem is that this junk yard thinks all their parts are made of gold. will the heater controls, and speedo work with the hook ups already in my jeep?

Thanks again

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Well, the Speedo should, may have to calibrate it, and heater controls will be a problem as the 71 Wag will be cable controlled and your heater is vacuum controlled, but I would think you could pull the vacuum motors off the heater and hook up the cables in their place. Wiring will be a major issue as the dash wiring from the 71 Wag and yours will not be comparable at all dash lights gauges, ignition switch if you go to the 71 column. How much are they gonna soak you for it, if you are not in to much of a hurry I will have the setup out of my 70 Wag for sale. I am using an all steel dash out of a 63 and a custom Billet steering column. ;)

[ October 10, 2001: Message edited by: Crazy_Jeepman ]

[Maynard]

i dont know how much they are going to ask for the setup, ill go ofind out this weekend, and i am in no particular hurry, so i can wait for yours. could i tak the speedo cable and gear as well? i would think that would work. well thanks for all the info.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

If they give you a decent price on the stuff, grab everything you can. saves a trip back, and prevents them from getting you to pay for something they would have let you have the first time. It would be a guessing game if the speedo gear and cable would work for yours, oops now I see you do have a D20 well you may still have differant Diff ratio and your setup may work the old speedo fine. I wouldn't go through to much trouble to get the speedo gear. as they are cheap and a good chance the one out of the 71 would be out of wack for your rig. ;)

[Maynard]

thanks for all the help, i should be getting to the junk yard tomorrow whilst on break from work, ill let you know bout the price and everything.

thanks again