1966 Charger Dash -> 1968 Charger conversion - Anyone?

[Chryslerdude]

Hey "B-Buddies"

As there aint no forum here for "Retro-mod's".. I will post my question here instead..!

I know it's probably a lotta work, but always thought of trying this, as I have always been impressed by the electroluminescent cluster of 66/67, and somewhat less impressed by the ones, in the second generation Chargers.

I previously wrote off the project as "to much work", but now theres one for sale right here in Denmark! It looks a bit sad (and lonely), but also saveable, and almost complete!

So, my questions here are:

- Did anyone here ever try/succeed in swapping / retrofitting such a dash cluster, in a 1968-70? I am prepared to build a "power pack", but:
- How about the speedo cable and "rotation ratio"?
- How about the sendending units, and their values?
- To clarify what I mean, does the gauges have different values from their respective sending units over the years, or is it perhaps as I asume: Pretty much universal on all / most Mopars / or even all US cars..?

Any advise / comment is very welcome!

PS: I generally lean towards "keep it original", so will restore and adapt the instrument cluster to fit the 68 Dash, without adapting anything on the car, to keep the car original for the next owner.
Thnx in advance

 

[Jerry Hall]

Sending unit values should be about the same. That said, I don't think you can put that cluster in a 68-70 without some cutting and fabrication.

 

[Chryslerdude]

Sending unit values should be about the same. That said, I don't think you can put that cluster in a 68-70 without some cutting and fabrication.

Thanks Jerry - I know there will be quite a lot of adapting, but hope to be able to keep the cutting part, to the cluster ;-)

 

[R413]

Cannot happen without cutting the 68 dash frame. Plus it will cost a lot of $$ to make all the dash lighting work. Very lucky to have it all work when 55 years has. Gone by.

Better just experiment with some recreational drugs and leave the 68 dash alone.

Also the speedo cable is different where it attaches to the cluster, you will need a 66-67 cable.

you will need to retain the vacuum part of the headlight switch to open and close the headlight doors.

In thinking about this, it is just a foolish idea. 68 charger dashes are VERY cool already.

 

[RemCharger]

All good points.
And you would need the 67 dash harness
Very big project.
You have the early " dangerous" 66 cluster

 

[70chall440]

Anything can be done if you have the drive, motivation, skills and of course money. Hell people are putting modern charger and challenger dashes into vintage cars so I don't see why you couldn't go the other way. Sure it will be a lot of work but if thats what you want then so be it. Don't let the naysayers beat you down, the first gen Charger cluster does look cool I have to admit but I also do like the G2 instrument cluster as it was used in a wide variety of vehicles including the charger.

A G1 cluster will definitely look better than some of the aftermarket crap/"custom" cluster floating around.

 

[YY1]

Aren't the dash mounting points identical from 1966 to 1970?

If so, you could swap in the complete dash as a bolt in.


Side q- what's "dangerous" about the early Charger dash?

 

[440 4 speed]

Aren't the dash mounting points identical from 1966 to 1970?

If so, you could swap in the complete dash as a bolt in.


Side q- what's "dangerous" about the early Charger dash?

The first Chargers had a silver/chrome dish around the pin/needle in the center of the instrument gauges. Later dashes had a cone around the needle, apparently this would prevent getting pierced if in an accident. Apparently this came as a result of Mr. Nader.