ok im 21 i have a highly modified bmw i just got my 81 caballero from my dad it was my first car but i decided to get it back and restore it. i was wondering what is the lug pattern i searched but didnt see it. lug pattern and offset?also is there a dash conversion? ex. will a camaro or anything cool fit in it. im sure a monte carlo dash would fit but i dont know what it looks like(if anyone has a pic please post,thanks) im looking for a billet grill that covers the headlights also. and im looking for a completely smooth roll pan without taillight cutouts/or led taillights. thanks.

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/87ss/wavey.gif First of all, welcome to the group!

also is there a dash conversion? ex. will a camaro or anything cool fit in it. im sure a monte carlo dash would fit but i dont know what it looks like(if anyone has a pic please post,thanks)

I would follow the conversation going on in this post, sounds like an interesting conversion.

Grand Prix conversion (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3275)

Some time ago I was cruising around the Internet and I ran across a web page from a guy in Sweden with a highly modified 5th Gen. He had grafted on a BMW dashboard and it looked real trick. I didn't mark his website so I can't get back to it. Did anyone out there ever see this website, Precision tuner might like to see a pic.?

i've seen that site too. cant remember the site address though. i think he is a member of this site.

You mean this one: Xtreme Camino (http://www.elcamino.rockcrawler.com/photos.html)

Yes, that's the one.

the Gran Prix dashes are cool...lots of circles for gauges, I don't like the Regal ones though.....
a corvette dash would be cool too.........

I saw a old chrome thunderbird dash and console in 79 monte carlo
w/ t-tops....hey , thats a good idea: t-tops in an elky and make it so the back window pops out like the old stingrays

hell, that Bmw dash was supercool, but...................itsa bmw dash :cry:

yeah i had seen that dash before. i thought it was a bmw dash but i wasnt sure after i saw it i thought about taking a e30 bmw dash and retro fitting it. cause i like the dash in my bmw. also does any body know of a rack and pinion steering that would fit. does the monte carlo have rack and pinion? or would i need to get something from a camaro or vette? thanks

I have never seen a rack and pinion on an El Camino but I.m sure it could be done and I doubt it would be worth it.

you don't wanna try and put a vette rack under that, believe me....
Camaro - Trans am maybe, but hell, thats the last thing you should do...
El Caminos handle great with the proper tires(wide and low), and if you stiffen up the rear or if you are running air shocks use seperate air lines(L&R) it will handle like a vette(less body roll)

I know a guy who spent over 25 g's on his, and never touched the steering
I have seen crome kits in the back of "Chevy" magazine I think..........
you should pick your wheels/tires/shocks/spoiler(?) and go ahead and lower it if you are going to and figure out if you would have the clearance first:because what makes the kind of steering that you want work is the pitch and angles of the front wheels(caster/camber/degrees)......and I have a hard time keepin 70's from rubbing.......

getting back to the dash, why not just sheet metal the whole deal(NASCAR style)....just try and keep it "American"

There is soooo much you can do to an elky
browse the the Member's gallery and you "WILL" find some cool ideas