[grd777]

i thought that the latter year dashes had some minor differences .got a lead on a great dash out of a 75 and want to know if i could use it it my 72 car

['ol Pinion head]

'70-77 will interchange, but '70-72 have a finer grain. George, am in similar situation, have a very nice '74 dash, bought to use in my '72. It may go in the '77, as am planning on sending several cores to Al Knoch to remold.

[3tas4me]

Originally Posted by grd777

i thought that the latter year dashes had some minor differences .got a lead on a great dash out of a 75 and want to know if i could use it it my 72 car

All years will interchange but won't be correct. As OPH noted, the '70-'77 are interchangeable for the radio, but the grain was different on the early dashes. Starting in '78, GM changed the radio so the opening in the dash for the radio changed with it.

[68ragtop]

I have a dash thats been tucked away for so many years I am not sure what radio style opening it has, or if it has the grab handle. I sure hope it's the 78+ style as it will be going in one of my 78's some day. Hopefully I knew the difference when I bought it, but I don't recall of the top of my head.

[TAKerry]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

I have a dash thats been tucked away for so many years I am not sure what radio style opening it has, or if it has the grab handle. I sure hope it's the 78+ style as it will be going in one of my 78's some day. Hopefully I knew the difference when I bought it, but I don't recall of the top of my head.

Easy to figure out by measuring the radio, the grab handle was for the deluxe int. package.

[thepontiacman]

There is also a part number on the backside of the dash. This may help some.

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

I have a dash thats been tucked away for so many years I am not sure what radio style opening it has, or if it has the grab handle. I sure hope it's the 78+ style as it will be going in one of my 78's some day. Hopefully I knew the difference when I bought it, but I don't recall of the top of my head.

This picture for dash caps shows the difference between 70-77 and 78-81 dashes. The strip of dash between the radio hole and the ash tray hole is 3/8" thick for the early dash, and 3/4" thick for the later dash. So that's an easy way to tell.

DASH EARLY LATE DIFFERENCE - Copy by grand73am, on Flickr

[grd777]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

This picture for dash caps shows the difference between 70-77 and 78-81 dashes. The strip of dash between the radio hole and the ash tray hole is 3/8" thick for the early dash, and 3/4" thick for the later dash. So that's an easy way to tell.

DASH EARLY LATE DIFFERENCE - Copy by grand73am, on Flickr

looks like the ash tray area is different also

[68ragtop]

Looks like the ash tray is bigger in 78? I had no idea at all.
Promotes a safer smoking experience.

[68ragtop]

Pulled mine out of storage because curiosity got the best of me.....

I am thinking & hoping this is the 78+ style? No grab handle but has the mounts on the backside for it.
Also date in the mold of 1977. All these years & I never knew that was there. Right above the glove box opening.

.

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Pulled mine out of storage because curiosity got the best of me.....

I am thinking & hoping this is the 78+ style? No grab handle but has the mounts on the backside for it.
Also date in the mold of 1977. All these years & I never knew that was there. Right above the glove box opening.

.

Yes, it's a 78-81.

[Aus78Formula]

The radio opening, and moreso the facia bezel for the radio is much more tapered on 70-77. Those are dash overlays so good for comparison but openings and detail won't match original, such as the recess for the ashtray. The measurements may differ also as have to be larger in areas to cover stock unit. So be aware what you are measuring and if it has a cover on it.

[grd777]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

'70-77 will interchange, but '70-72 have a finer grain. George, am in similar situation, have a very nice '74 dash, bought to use in my '72. It may go in the '77, as am planning on sending several cores to Al Knoch to remold.

would the grain from a 78 ash tray and glove box door work in a 72 looks very close

[Aus78Formula]

I think they are referring to the dash pad covering. The glovebox is plastic PP and the ashtray is stamped metal.

[grd777]

Originally Posted by Aus78Formula

I think they are referring to the dash pad covering. The glovebox is plastic PP and the ashtray is stamped metal.

i think i need to restate my question. i have a dash pad from a 71 firebird ,will need to restore it , but i need to add the glove box door , ash tray and the lover steering panel . i have some for a 78 ,will the grain match

[Aus78Formula]

'probably' no different. They didn't match anyway!

[TAKerry]

Not to sound like THAT guy, but if you have all of the parts already cant you put them together to see if they match? For what you need to replace I doubt it will make that much of a diff anyway, what Aus said.

[Aus78Formula]

Whoa...look out!! Easy Tiger, you don't wanna be That guy!

Just kidding, you have one dash covering and 2 different interpretations of the same surface from different methods.

[TAKerry]

[grd777]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

yes i did that . very hard to tell the difference . i just wanted to know if someone here had any in put on this