Can you swap a 70's dashpad into an 80's truck?

[76k5blazerr]

Toying with the idea of combining my two k5's and taking the best parts from both to build one nice truck to restore and keep forever. I have a 76 and an 89. I would put the 76 front clip on the 89 because I like the round headlights better. I am wondering if it is possible to also install the dashpad from the 76 in the 89? The gauge clusters and bezels look to be the same shape, it seems just the shaping of the actual dash pad is different. Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[ryoken]

i think 78 is the last yr for the sloped pads.. i think you can put the later on an earlier, but not not vice versa, due to the slope.. but I'm sure someone will chime in with more than a guess...

 

[76k5blazerr]

i think 78 is the last yr for the sloped pads.. i think you can put the later on an earlier, but not not vice versa, due to the slope.. but I'm sure someone will chime in with more than a guess...

I believe 73-80 were all the same sloped dash board, in 81 when the front clips changed, so did the dash. I guess the determining factor for compatibility would be the shape of the metal dash underneath the pad?

 

[ryoken]

I believe 73-80 were all the same sloped dash board, in 81 when the front clips changed, so did the dash. I guess the determining factor for compatibility would be the shape of the metal dash underneath the pad?

yeah, i think the slope hits on the post 80 rigs..

 

[imiceman44]

Toying with the idea of combining my two k5's and taking the best parts from both to build one nice truck to restore and keep forever. I have a 76 and an 89. I would put the 76 front clip on the 89 because I like the round headlights better. I am wondering if it is possible to also install the dashpad from the 76 in the 89? The gauge clusters and bezels look to be the same shape, it seems just the shaping of the actual dash pad is different. Anyone have any insight on this?

The way I did it was to also use the metal part.
A few spot welds on the windshield bottom and 2 big bolts on the sides.
76 doesn't have a vin on the dash so if you are planning on using a vin from the 89 it won't work

 

[tRustyK5]

The old style pad fits on the new just fine. I had a mint red dash pad from a 78 that fit on my 90 Blazer just fine. The important part is the gauge bezel area...this is where it gets harder. The headlight switch area changed a fair bit over the various years. You'd need the old style gauge cluster plus bezel, plus probably have to re-work the headlight switch location to align properly.

 

[kennyw]

The old style pad fits on the new just fine. I had a mint red dash pad from a 78 that fit on my 90 Blazer just fine. The important part is the gauge bezel area...this is where it gets harder. The headlight switch area changed a fair bit over the various years. You'd need the old style gauge cluster plus bezel, plus probably have to re-work the headlight switch location to align properly.

And cut a hole to see the VIN in the top of the dash pad.

 

[muddermilitia]

The old style pad fits on the new just fine. I had a mint red dash pad from a 78 that fit on my 90 Blazer just fine. The important part is the gauge bezel area...this is where it gets harder. The headlight switch area changed a fair bit over the various years. You'd need the old style gauge cluster plus bezel, plus probably have to re-work the headlight switch location to align properly.

My 89 blazer had an older dash pad and gauge bezel on it. I think the cluster was 89 though. I never thought anything of it until I went to put a gauge bezel in from a 84-86 CUCV and then saw the big gap at the top. That's when I realized my dash pad had been swapped

 

[76k5blazerr]

Awesome. So I gather that it can be done. I have a gauge cluster and bezel I can use if need be. Thanks guys.

 

[USSkoval]

As was said, the bezel does not match at the top. You can swap bezels, but the headlight and wiper switch changed locations in '84. Then the radio change in '89. Also, the earlier pad covers the side speaker openings in the dash and the left most clip goes right into the speaker hole.



Backside of speaker area: