swaping dashes

[slowmx3klz]

what all do i need to switch over for it to work so i can drive my car again i kinda started to soon.

[solo_ryder]

Try doing a search man, there are multiple threads on this.

[slowmx3klz]

sorry i have never been on this site before or messed with any forums before i just found this site i was hoping someone would help me thanx

[Custommx3]

there was JUST a post about it.

[slowmx3klz]

i thought this was a friendly place where people with the same kinda of cars could freely ask questions without being bash on and treated like an idiot. i missed it when i was looking over the posts. i have never used forums before i was stuck trying to find a quick way to get my car back on the road my bad. in the time it took you to figure a way to bash me for ask you could of helped me. come on guy we all share a certain interest (mx-3) if you haven't forgot about that. just because someone else already ask something about don't mean you can't help the next guy. i'm not trying to be a smart a** or nothing i put a lot of blood sweat and tears into my car and i'm sure you've done the same. everything that has been done to my car i did myself except the exhaust i didn't have a pipe bender i'm a mechanic and i got stuck. i would have helped you if you needed it that how all of us should be. we are a community lets help each other not hurt each other. i'm new to this site i'm sorry.

[sk8erdude802]

I hate to add to this but think about this. Say we did just repost the answer to this for you. Basically it would do two things. Take up more space on the server and completely take away the pressure to search.

Say yesterday a guy asks question A and three smart people answer. this is now logged and the answer is available through the search. This happens with frequently asked questions. Veteran MXers with tons of knowledge answer these questions and expect you to find it. They do us the favor of providing this information.

Now lets say someone comes buy and asks the same question. The veteran has already answered this and most of the time you just get ignored or someone feels sorry for you and throws you a bone. but then the worst case could happen. An idiot could answer you and lead you down a path that could destroy your car before someone with the proper knowledge can get to your post to set you straight.

So all in all the guys that tell you to search are really just teaching you a life lesson and trying to not waste the time of others. Its kind of a respect thing. you search and your respecting the people who have already answered and by no searching you are disrespecting them. thus why some people will get pissed and flame you. So just keep this in mind and remember we all are a community and we do want you as a member but be respectful and search.

Steve-O

Theres my thoughts. Hope this has helped.

[Volones]

Also please remember that the guy that asked before you was number 1,000+ in line asking that very same question. How many time would you like to answer the exact same question? Personally I get tired of it really quickly.

Now I don't profess to know as much as many people here, but I do know that with very little effort, you can find an overwhelming amount of info on about anything concerning our little rockets. I have also found that searching didn't always answer all my questions, but it definitely allows me to ask very specific questions that get answered quickly and knowledgeably by the people here that do know the answer.

So....good luck with getting your dash back together. I still haven't taken mine off to fix my vents, but one day I will, and the help I got here will be quite valuable when I do.

take care,
Vol

[Custommx3]

Look about 10 posts below yours Einstein.

We all put blood, sweat, and tears into our cars. We all try to help each other. But asking the same question you bothered not to look for an answer before posting gets you a response as we have. We're not trying to be jerks, we're asking you to look for the answer thats very easy to find.

[s1zzl3]

seeing as im the one who jus recently finished one ill help u out
i didnt go into much detail in the other thread but ill try doing a quick write up
ok first things first

*do this at ur own risk im am simply writing a guide.. some models may vary
**make sure u have the wiring for the 94+ dash ull need it to interface the the car to the new dash ill show u how to do it later..
***please read whole post before attempting

u have to remove ur old dash

get rid of all the dash components aka center trim, glove box.. etc its pretty simple.
the hvac i had the most trouble with. u need to disconnect all the cables that run in behind the dash that connect to the the heater then pry the hvac out
the speedometer is another tricky one u need to remove the trim around it.. theres a cable behind center of the gauge cluster and u need to slide ur hand behind and release it.
with the steering column there are 4 bolts (12mm) connecting it to the dash--remove them.
the dash itself has 4 bolts (10mm) bolting it to the floor-- this is wat is called the floor bracket. theres 2 bolts on each side of the dash aka the side brackets. and lastly there are 3 screws (10 mm) holding the dash inplace under the windshield (u need to remove the dash trim piece before u can get to these screws)

once all the main bolts(4+2+2+4) and screws(3) are out u pull the dash out carefully remembering to disconnect any remaining wires (please remember where all the important ones go)
u can have a friend pull out the dash while u carefully disconnect the tubing and wires.

differences between dash brackets

ull notice the 94+ dash uses 12mm bolts for the floors brackets and the older style dash uses 10.
the side brackets dont match up (ull need to cut these there is no way to fit them)
also the floor bracket is too narrow to slide over and simply bolt into place
this is where ur customizing skills come into play.
there are many different ways to get it to fit

1) remove the floor bracket from the 94+ and replace with the older style.
when u do this u have to swap out the whole support bar behind the dash and wiring harness.. this is the most difficult but safest way to do it (also the one i recommend)
2) my way..cut the metal piece keeping the floor bracket from opening up too wide
and slide over (ill elaborate later)
3) use ur powertools and cut out chunks till the dash fits and custom bolt it into place

i pick #2
but because i got lazy.. if ur not feeling lazy the day u do it then do it properly lol

customizing the new dash

okay there is a peice of metal keeping the floor bracket from opening up to wide. u can cut it then bend the bracket slightly out so it falls into place.
ull later use jacks on both sides of the dash to jack it up and drill holes through both the floor mount and the dashs floor bracket and bolt it into place.
there is also a piece of metal where the gauge cluster goes that u need to cut off completely.. it gets in the way of the speedometer cable.

mount the new dash

again have a friend help u out
its really hard to get in by yourself
if u dont have any friends.. borrow one

when putting the dash in make sure any loose cables dont get trapped behind the dash!! also make sure to connect the heater tubes back to the dash.
by now the floor bracket should slide into place.. if it does give ur self a pat on the back.
get the friend to hold the dash in place while u screw the 3 screws that hold the dash in place again ( not fully screwed in as there is still some adjusting to do). use 2 small jacks to jack up the dash on both sides till the dash lines up with the door panel on the sides then use a drill to drill holes through th mount and bracket and bolt in in place.. do the same to the other side. remove jacks. and the dash should stay in place then bolt the steering column back onto the dash an tighten the three screws.

this is enough to hold the dash in safely

now the rewiring

if u did it my way (#2) the rewiring shouldnt be that difficult
all the wires should be already hooked up to the 94+ dash
all u would need to do is spot the two main connectors. that attach beside the fuse box under the 94+dash. the connectors come from through the firewall.
wat u do when u find them is cut the connector off of the 93 wiring harness and replace with the 94+ connectors all the wires r colour coded so it shouldnt be that hard. test everything! make sure everything works!

lastly attach the speedometer again (ull need the speedometer brackets from the 94+ speedometer)
its possible trust me..u kinda have to force it back in and make sure its actually attached to the cable.
u need the new 94 hvac u cannot use ur old one.

once everything is in place test everything!! heater controls, elights... etc
make sure evrything works properly
then and only then u can start putting the 94+ dash back together.

thats how i did it but many people have done it other ways
u have to be creative but first of all know wat ur getting urself into
its not easy.. know ur capabilities

if i have missed anything or if anyone has a different way of doing sumthing jus add it to the thread.

[slowmx3klz]

thanks for the help, i got it in ok though still got a little tweaking to do, next time I'll try to look a little bit more carefully my bad guys. i wasn't trying to be a jerk i just think things could have been said in a little bit friendlier demeanor but i learned my lesson no harm no foul, you all have some really nice cars by the way.

[projectmx]

szzl3 thanks for that little write up... i searched like crazy and the guides so far are so so... i'm going to try and add a little to it if i find any missing things

[projectmx]

sizzl3 did you ever get around to the push button swap?

[s1zzl3]

i seen one the other day at a wreckers
i was tempeted to pull it and install it on mine but i thought it may be too much trouble jus to have push butttons
wat r u having trouble with?
i took a look at the push button hvac and it connects the same way to the heater no?

[Daninski]

Yes many thanks. I wasn't sure if the dashs were interchangeable. I have a 96 that I want to install in my 92. I'll need to confirm the wiring first. Thanks again

[projectmx]

i don't know man looking side by side the switch dash and push button dash appears to have all different controls and connectors excluding 1