Regal Gauge Housing - Is there a difference between '78-'83 and '84-'87?

[CaliWagon83]

Hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on something for me. I'm looking to do the Dakota Digital VHX gauges on my wagon eventually. The installation instructions say in order to do the install on a '78-'83, that you need the gauge housing from an '84-'87 model. However, a piece listed on eBay claims it fits '78-'87. Is there any difference between the two generations?

I've already purchased an '84-'87 bezel, which is a mandatory piece for the VHXs. Any insight appreciated.

 

[81Regal]

The cluster is completely different and the black piece that the cluster sit's in is different also.

 

[CaliWagon83]

I heard back from the eBay merchant, and they claim the housing is off an ‘86 model with the “three square” gauges, basically, similar to what I have now. I wrote them back and told them I was pretty sure they changed cluster styles in '84, going to the horizontal speedometer design that year. I think they may have mis-categorized that piece.

 

[81Regal]

If it was the three square gauges either the seller is wrong on the year or it was swapped. That style was 78 to 83 then the more common sweep was 84 to 87.

 

[el camino ss 84]

The only different between years are the 78-81 had the sweep style cluster and 82-88 had the 6 rally gauges depending in model you had all 6 gauges or less gauges.

 

[CaliWagon83]

I'm talking more about the black plastic piece that goes behind the cluster, not so much the cluster itself. Dakota Digital says I need the '84-'87 piece.

 

[el camino ss 84]

Same with the black plastic pices your talking about are 78-81 and 82-88 specific

 

[ck80]

You're talking a different model. We're talking regals.

Divide is 78-83 all had a sky blue 5 hole bucket behind the bezel. 84-87 had black plastic with one large rectangle hole.

No gbody regal for 88.

 

[el camino ss 84]

I thought you were talking about malibu/monte Carlo/elcamino gauge clusters. Regal is 78-83 is the same and 84-88 is the same .

 

[MrSony]

I thought you were talking about malibu/monte Carlo/elcamino gauge clusters. Regal is 78-83 is the same and 84-88 is the same .

*87 😛