I recently picked up an 80 2dr malibu and looking to swap from from a super beat/cracked dash to the 81-88 style malibu /monte/elco dash. what is all involved to swap out dashes? car is a heat only setup.
Malibu dash looking to convert 80 to 81 style
- Thread starter 81msw79
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All you'll really need is the plastic trim panel & out board speakers if your current dash has the center speaker. Everything else is the same.
I think the only difference is the 81 up has a plastic insert between the center and pass side ac vents. It's pretty much the same dash
that is what i was hoping to hear. i was curious if the vent piping was the same. i know i can dash cap my current dash but they never look right .
It's still a challenge to find the newer style that doesn't have cracks. I'm on the hunt for one since the two I have need to be capped.
I did a heat only 79 Monte Carlo dash swap with an A/C dash out of a 86 El Camino. If you are using the non A/C set up which physically will fit behind an A/C dash you have to keep the back pocket from your non A/C glove box. They are different between the heat only and the A/C cars and must be used accordingly. Otherwise it should be a direct swap. I ended up using a 81 burl wood inlay for the passenger side and just added a section of black plastic behind the vent on the passenger side. Below are some not so detailed shots of the dash in the 79.
i got lucky and found a 81 up style locally for 400 with the hvac control panel for my 81 wagon.
Exactly . always on back order for months. and can only get 81 up style. have not seen a repro for the 78-80 complete dash. only found caps
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