I just funished my paint job on my 78 El camino. I upgraded the front clip to a 84 and it looks great. Now im thinking of doing the complete dashboard upgrade. Any suggestions or experinces if this will work? what will I need to upgrade ? Does the complete dash bolt right up just like the 1978 dash came off??

Please Help ill be doing this this weekend if it works.

Ill get pictures of it up soon. It looks great PEWTER GOLD w/ ghost flames.

From what everyone says, the 78 -87 are all interchangable (bolt right in) However, people also say to make sure you keep all of the orginal wiring...ie, the printed circuit for the gauges...etc.

Good luck

Thanks, Jimmy

so the best thing to do is get the complete dash from the 84+ complete
with gauges and wiring circuit board . Will the 84+ circuit board connector plug right in the 78 connectors?

Hey, X!
Go to 5th gen. pics and go to page 16 and look at my album to see what I did with my '78 dash. It was a pain in the a$$ but I wanted to keep the original face. I am pleased with the outcome.

I've got a complete '84 dash and int. in my '78. Everything bolts up the same. If your going from standard guages to sport pkg, you'll need the proper sending units and wiring off the '84's engine. I had to change the wiper motor to the '84 also, the '84's wiring was different than the '78. Overall, it was a difficult swap, just took time.

Thanks for the advise. The Elky is at the upholstery shop right now. Im having the whole dash wrapped and the interior done. I didnt do it myself but I told the upholstery shop just to bolt the dash in. As from your advise I told him everthing would fit in the same way it came out. I did however tell him to leave the guages off with the whole wiring out. That will be my job. I didnt want the 78 dash cause I like the whole wood grain bezel panel on the passenger side dash. Especialy since im going beige interior it will match really good. As for the wiring im sure its going to be fun.
Does anybody have any ideas what I can do with the colum color? Im changing the whole interior color and the colum color needs to be changed. Ive heard you can paint it ? how do I prep it sine its cast aluminum. However I would really like the billet covers if any one know where I can get a really good deal on them.

Thanksn for the advise the dash fit in perfect. Im still finishing up the details on the dash and sterring wheel. Here are some pictures of the outcome

http://www.cardomain.com/id/westcoastelco