REGAL Converting 83 non ac to 84+ ac

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druggles85

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Oct 25, 2009
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Hope this isn't posted in the wrong section. I have an 83 regal v8 T5 swapped non ac... I'm. Thinking of converting to an 84+ dash with ac.

I know I need to swap the dash and all the ducting, also the heater box. just wondering how much wiring I need to swap. Will I need to switch the under hood wiring, I know the wiper motor is different. Just trying not to run into any surprises if I don't need to.
 

ck80

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Hope this isn't posted in the wrong section. I have an 83 regal v8 T5 swapped non ac... I'm. Thinking of converting to an 84+ dash with ac.

I know I need to swap the dash and all the ducting, also the heater box. just wondering how much wiring I need to swap. Will I need to switch the under hood wiring, I know the wiper motor is different. Just trying not to run into any surprises if I don't need to.
Basically all the wiring.

You can get away with re-using the engine harness if you re-pin enough of it. But all your dash wiring, fuse box, everything else needs to go. Not sure if you can leave the taillight harness alone, but, the interior needs to be completely redone.

Much easier to just get an 82-83 donor, or, 81 if you don't mind messing with the dash vs column mounted wiper.

I'm also unsure if your 1983 steering column needs to be replaced. They likely changed the wiring connections on it as well.
 
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pagrunt

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Unplug the heater harness from the dash harness & send it with the heater module & heater controls. As long as the heat-A/C module has everything that harness will plug into the dash harness & you'll need to tap into the main circuit #2 wire (red, 12 AWG) to power the high side of the blower relay. I'd suggest putting a 30 amp fuse before the heat-A/C module harness & maybe running it of the alternator stud by using a seperate red 12 AWG wire with ring terminal. Could even do it off the starter's battery stud & with extra insurance put a 16 AWG fusible link & still use the 30 amp fuse. These were designed for simple plug & play/remove & reinstall.
 
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ck80

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Unplug the heater harness from the dash harness & send it with the heater module & heater controls. As long as the heat-A/C module has everything that harness will plug into the dash harness & you'll need to tap into the main circuit #2 wire (red, 12 AWG) to power the high side of the blower relay. I'd suggest putting a 30 amp fuse before the heat-A/C module harness & maybe running it of the alternator stud by using a seperate red 12 AWG wire with ring terminal. Could even do it off the starter's battery stud & with extra insurance put a 16 AWG fusible link & still use the 30 amp fuse. These were designed for simple plug & play/remove & reinstall.
I think/thought he wants to run the entire 84 dash though, speedo, light controls, etc included? Or maybe wrong.
 
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druggles85

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Oct 25, 2009
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Exeter, NH
I think/thought he wants to run the entire 84 dash though, speedo, light controls, etc included? Or maybe wrong.
Yes, I does. Gonna grab everything from the three parts cars in the junkyard that I can possibly get my hands on.

Mine was stripped down to basically a shell in 2021 so I'm not really afraid of making changes, lol.

My steering column was originally gray and I think from an 84+ grand national, so I'm hoping that won't be my biggest problem.

Thinking I'm going to change the entire car over to 84+ I have. An 87 chevy 350 with flat tops + vortec heads already installed, along with a modified T5 from a. 80's camaro.

planning on adding a serpentine belt setup from an s10 and hopefully it all cooperates. Lol
 
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pagrunt

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Then going total '84 dash you'll also need the engine & front light harnesses as GM changed the terminals & altered the connection design cause of that.
 
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druggles85

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Oct 25, 2009
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Exeter, NH
Sounds like more of a pain in the *ss than I was thinking. I wonder how many wiring harnesses I can zip tie to the inside of the dash at the junkyard before they realize something's up.
 

druggles85

Pendejo
Oct 25, 2009
282
468
63
Exeter, NH
Then going total '84 dash you'll also need the engine & front light harnesses as GM changed the terminals & altered the connection design cause of that.
How about the tail light harness or interior lighting, did that change too? I don't mind changing stuff up front so much. But I don't want to strip the entire car. Lol
 

pagrunt

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Sep 14, 2014
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Elderton, Pa
How about the tail light harness or interior lighting, did that change too? I don't mind changing stuff up front so much. But I don't want to strip the entire car. Lol
I almost forgot, which might not be a big thing for you, I have a complete '81 Regal dash harness in the garage I picked up in a wire harness bundle at a swap meet this summer which is set up for the dash wiper switch & a forward light harness.
 
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