Early model cluster in late model

[Stevenhy92]

I’ve tried searching and only found eBay ads with early clusters fitting late models. Can someone confirm that I can swap them? Also looking to use my my 73 dashboard if possible. 

[TobyB]

Yup, they physically fit.  There are minor electrical differences that I forget the details of...

 

t

 

[ray_]

You will find that the threaded studs on the speedo housing are shorter on the early cluster.

 

With a little finagling you can put the later speedo housing on the early speedo....

 

Or you can be like me and never install the thumb screws. The clusters tend not to fall out unless the car is upside down.

 

Right, Toby?

 

 

Cheers,

Edited August 9, 2020 by ray_

[Gordon]

I did the opposite,  I put 74-76 crosshair gauges in a 71-73 Euro cluster. Looks so much better than the faux-wood 74-76 cluster. 

[TobyB]

I dunno, Ray- the only cars I've had upside down didn't have stock 2002 dashes in them...

 

t

 

[jimk]

13 hours ago, ray_ said:

The clusters tend not to fall out unless the car is upside down.

 

Surely it would pop out with the 4.10 diff ? 

[Stevenhy92]

I didn’t get any of these notifications ? but good to know. I really just want to transfer over as many parts as possible from the 73 shell so I don’t have to source  more parts and have my wife pissed off lol. 

[SydneyTii]

When you remove the faux wood piece from the front of the later gauge pod, you will find the old style facia underneath,  you just need the trim rings from the old style to hold the glass in.

[AustrianVespaGuy]

On 8/8/2020 at 11:14 PM, Gordon said:

Looks so much better than the faux-wood 74-76 cluster

I actually quite LIKE the fake wood cluster faces.  Just seems so period for the car, but maybe that's just me.

[ray_]

1 hour ago, AustrianVespaGuy said:

I actually quite LIKE the fake wood cluster faces.  Just seems so period for the car, but maybe that's just me.

It's just you ???

 

But I steeled myself from getting the dash redone in leather and went with vinyl. It is an economy car, after all! ?

 

Cheers,

[SydneyTii]

1 hour ago, AustrianVespaGuy said:

I actually quite LIKE the fake wood cluster faces.  Just seems so period for the car, but maybe that's just me.

I get it, but so many are badly scratched, it’s very easy to scratch the surface, probably better with a real Lux one.

[Lorin]

On 8/9/2020 at 12:28 AM, TobyB said:

I dunno, Ray- the only cars I've had upside down didn't have stock 2002 dashes in them...

 

t

 

 

Cars plural ?!

 

How many are we talking about? Is this a habit?

 

I also have swapped an early cluster into a 72 chassis. I don't remember it being challenging at all.

[ray_]

Did the 72s come with silver dollar gauges...?

[Conserv]

33 minutes ago, ray_ said:

Did the 72s come with silver dollar gauges...?

 

Ray,

 

The silver dollar gauges ended with the introduction of the Modell 71 facelift in April 1971. So pre-Modell 71 1971 models were the last to receive silver-dollar gauges. Later 1971 models, all 1972 models, and all 1973 models received the simpler black instrument faces (also known as "ain't got a silver dollar" gauges ?).

 

Best regards,

 

Steve