I'm shopping around for a 78 to 87 El Camino. Is there any difference in the dash during those years ??? Dakota Digital makes a nice digital dash that fits the mid 80 Monte Carlos. Is the 78's dash the same as a 85's ???

Yes and no, the dash is the same but the gauge cluster on the 78 has a wide sweeping speedometer. I'm not sure if this continued in the 79 and 80 models. The wiring (circuit board) for the gauge cluster is what you need to be concerned about especially if your going with the Dakota setup. If you have some simple electronic wiring experience you should be able to adapt the Dakota digital cluster to any year 5th gen model however by following their instructions.

http://www.pioneerautoshow.com/auction/update%209-11/78%20El%20Camino2.jpg I'm looking at this 78. If I can get them talked down to $2500.00, it'll be mine. Right now they're asking $3350.00 for it. It's a 78 SS with a 305.

Looks like a nice ride from here.

Check them floor pans and the frame at the rear towards where the back bumper is and behind the seats area...you may want to stand on the back bumper and check it's firmness.
the body mounts are important too.

That thing is in Snow & Salt country, and with a weak frame it is not going to do you any good in the long run....

Tommy is right, it does look nice.......

An SS "should" have buckets and a factory tach with round guages...

Check them floor pans and the frame at the rear towards where the back bumper is and behind the seats area...you may want to stand on the back bumper and check it's firmness.
the body mounts are important too.

That thing is in Snow & Salt country, and with a weak frame it is not going to do you any good in the long run....

Tommy is right, it does look nice.......

An SS "should" have buckets and a factory tach with round guages... Acording to the guy I talked to on the phone, the car came from Wa last sept. but befor I buy, I plan on fully checking everything.

So what is the SS package on the 78 El Camino anyways ??? Is it anything more then just stickers ???

I'm shopping around for a 78 to 87 El Camino. Is there any difference in the dash during those years ??? Dakota Digital makes a nice digital dash that fits the mid 80 Monte Carlos. Is the 78's dash the same as a 85's ???

That dash will also fit in most Elkys of the 5th gen persuasion. It doesn't use the factory anything. If you look at their web site it comes with everything you have to have to make it work. It has its own wiring and it fits in the cluster just like the SS or Gauged version of those dashes. I would guess some modifications behind the cluster would be necessary for wiring to the unit.

Does anybody have the figures for production of El Camino's (5th Generation) by year from 1978 until 1987. Was any 1988 production attempted?
Thanks, Eric

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