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Reply #255 –
Quote from: Romeo2k;307270
Big Pimpin' Yo!. :rollin:

So you have the dash installed in there nice and sturdy? and it didnt take any major modification? Wow~Would not have expected that.
Are the vents gonna be operational?


I may have covered this in an earlier post. The Mustang dash shell came on a very heavy metal frame that needed to be modified in places to fit in the shorter cowl Fox Tbird. I found it easier to just remove the metal frame from the Mustang dash shell and install that dash shell over the original metal 84 Tbird frame. The Tbird dash frame angles away at the knees just like the Mustang dash does so it was perfect to use as a base. The biggest modification was to cut 3" from the cowl area of the Mustang dash so it would fit close enough to the windshield. The original curve of the Mustang dash against the windshield was dead on, but it was just too deep which would have made it uncomfortably close to the passengers and cause major issues with the function of the steering column. The 94-04 Mustang firewall retained the basic design of the original Fox design, so it was easy to adapt the dash to fit. I did add some screws from the dash shell to the frame. The most important attachments were on the ends of the dash and at the top at the windshield cowl. I had to adapt and fabricate a mount for the glovebox latch catch to the Tbird dash frame. To great success it works perfectly. I have had nothing but good luck getting this dash to work.

Here are pictures below of the view from inside the gauge and passenger airbag compartment where I made hidden attachments from the top of the dash shell to the windshield cowl area. This is very sturdy.

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Reply #256 –
Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;307272
I was wondering, is it possable to use the Mustang's instrument cluster? I'm sure you would have to figure out the wiring to make it work but wouldn't that be easier?


I would love to use the Mustang cluster and it may be a project I will persue later. The major issue is that my 84 Tbird uses a speedo cable when the Mustang cluster uses a speed sensor. There are also a lot of wiring and compatibility issues because the Tbird only has a speedo and a gas gauge and a couple of idiot lights. There is also no guarantee the fuel gauges between the two clusters are even compatable...  I am mostly confident making wiring connections that work. My biggest concern would be how to insert a speed sensor and where does it get it's power source or signal from. I figure one side of the speed sensor connector goes directly to the electric speedo, but i need to understand how the other connection is fed.

This is pretty much a trial and error thing for me to learn from, so as long as I can get used parts cheap I never feel bad for trying and failing.

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Reply #257 –
Got my Mustang center stack trim bezel today and installed it... Feels good to see the dash starting to look complete... I ordered a passenger airbag delete trim panel that I discovered is made by someone just a few miles away. This will make things easier so I won't have to do as much work. It's pebble grained plastic so I will cover it up in vinyl for a better finished look.

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Reply #258 –
Quote from: Watchdevil;307379
I would love to use the Mustang cluster and it may be a project I will persue later. The major issue is that my 84 Tbird uses a speedo cable when the Mustang cluster uses a speed sensor. There are also a lot of wiring and compatibility issues because the Tbird only has a speedo and a gas gauge and a couple of idiot lights. There is also no guarantee the fuel gauges between the two clusters are even compatable...  I am mostly confident making wiring connections that work. My biggest concern would be how to insert a speed sensor and where does it get it's power source or signal from. I figure one side of the speed sensor connector goes directly to the electric speedo, but i need to understand how the other connection is fed.

This is pretty much a trial and error thing for me to learn from, so as long as I can get used parts cheap I never feel bad for trying and failing.

Looks like the 96 Stang Fuel Gauge/Sender is 14-18 Ohms empty, and 155-165 Ohms full. Looks like it would be a little inaccurate at E, but otherwise close if you used a digi cluster sender(8-12 E/155-160 F), referencing http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showpost.php?p=221798&postcount=3 . Your car is fuel injected right?

The speed sensor sits in the tailshaft of the trans were the speedo cable would be usually, and depending on your trans, you should be able to find one and wire it up rather easily. Since the gauge cluster is just information readout, it shouldn't cause any problems. You may need to do some soldering for the idiot lights, or maybe just repin the connector. Shouldn't be too hard to find a base stang cluster with just gas and speed. At most it would have idiot temp and oil "gauges" that only read via an on/off sender, like the idiot lights do.

Hope that helps!

..., this is starting to sound like fun!
1983 Tbird with '03 Split Port V6 motor swap done! Headers, dual exhaust, 500CFM Edelbrock, 3G upgrade, Electric fan. 3.73 Gears and an FRPP Limited Slip. Five lug complete! 5-Speed conversion complete! Standalone Fuel Injection in progress...

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Reply #259 –
Quote from: jrad235;307740
Looks like the 96 Stang Fuel Gauge/Sender is 14-18 Ohms empty, and 155-165 Ohms full. Looks like it would be a little inaccurate at E, but otherwise close if you used a digi cluster sender(8-12 E/155-160 F), referencing http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showpost.php?p=221798&postcount=3 . Your car is fuel injected right?

The speed sensor sits in the tailshaft of the trans were the speedo cable would be usually, and depending on your trans, you should be able to find one and wire it up rather easily. Since the gauge cluster is just information readout, it shouldn't cause any problems. You may need to do some soldering for the idiot lights, or maybe just repin the connector. Shouldn't be too hard to find a base stang cluster with just gas and speed. At most it would have idiot temp and oil "gauges" that only read via an on/off sender, like the idiot lights do.

Hope that helps!

..., this is starting to sound like fun!


Hey thanks so much for passing along the fuel gauge info. As old as my fuel pump and sender is, it might be a good idea at some point to go ahead an replace them anyway. After I did my fuel gauge replacement several months earlier which I got the spare parts from a Ford truck, I am not sure how accurate it reads. It does however work and I don't mind learning where the accuracy is on the gauge and just keeping up with it.

 In another thread referencing digital dashes in the 83-84 Tbirds, someone posted that even though it's buttstuffog there is still a speed signal wire. I'll have to pull the granny cluster and see if that wire is there.

Yes my car is TBI! I had no idea I was going to get in such an involved project of doing the dash swap and making it work. Earlier when did the test fit many months ago I really didn't think I was going to be happy with it. However this go round I was able to spend enough time with it to do it right. I was able to concentrate on securing the dash in the right places to the original Tbird frame. I was also able to fabricate, locate and mount a functional glove box latch catch and mount it by cutting away the support for it out of the aborted 86 Tbird dash frame and mounting it offset in the 84 Tbird dash frame so that it aligns correctly to the top of the Mustang glove box door.

I think I will look into getting a used Mustang cluster. It would be nice to have the look as correct and factory looking as possible instead of being a little  hodge podge and overfabricated. There are several ones to choose from. All 94-03 Mustangs had a full array of guages including the tach, volts, fuel and temp. The only real difference was the speedo readout between the V6 & V8 models.

I also want to use a single turn signal lever out of the 1989+ Tbird. It will mount perfectly in place of the two stalk setup right to the existing steering column. However they complicated things by changing the wiper system so that it operates through a wiper control module on the newer Tbirds. Everything I read says I cannot possibly function electrically without going to the extent of adpating the newer control module type system.

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Reply #260 –
The airbag delete cover is on the way. I will cover it in vinyl to match the lower half of the dash.

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Reply #261 –
That's going to look good. Is that the same material your going to use for your filler plate for you instrument cluster?

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Reply #263 –
Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;307797
Oops! I just saw where you're going to try and use a mustang cluster.


I am using the original Tbird "granny" cluster for now. I am waiting to find a Mustang cluster on the cheap. I am waiting for Pull-A-Part to get some more Mustangs in since that is the cheapest I can get parts. However for the time being I will use black vinyl to bridge the gap between the speedo trim bezel and the cluster lens.

I have actually had to go to eBay to get a few trim items that I could not wait to get. Mustang parts are kinda pricey used. It's $20 just for a set of side defroster vents. If Pull-A-Part had a fresh batch of Mustangs I could get at before they get picked apart I could have saved a lot of money.

I don't even want to approach a salavage yard where they pull parts for you. They always charge too much. One place I know has a min $50 charge for anything pulled off a car.

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Reply #264 –
Wow! They really want to make sure to get thier money! $50 Min. Sheese!!!!!!!! I guess you have to make sure you need alot of items before going that route.

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Reply #265 –
Mustang console joint seam... I may separate it there and use the front portion only. I am also going to see if I can use the Mustang shfter plate with it... No shifter going in it at this point, but I may fabricate a cupholder for the shifter inset. Frankenbird for sure...

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Reply #266 –
One of the drawbacks to using the original Tbird dash frame was the fact that the horizontal metal brace goes smack dab accross the back of the left and right side a/c vents. I had to cut away the back of the vent housings then make a cut on the top to direct air inside of them. I had to modify the right side vent duct opening as well so it fits across the top of the dash frame while it directs air into the right side vent. For the left vent I will cut the end of the Tbird air duct and use a flexible hose to direct the air into the vent. I will seal the joining of the end of the duct to the hose with some vinyl wrapped around them secured by tie wraps to hold it together. Very rigged I know but it will work. The Tbird ventilation system is poor anyway, not directing all that much air to the side vents. Most of the air comes out of the right center vent. If you seen the design of the two center vent ducts, the right vent duct is larger than the left side which is restricted with a strange staggered shape. This would be that way regardless if I was using the Mustang dash or not.

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Reply #267 –
BINGO! The green wire with the white stripe which supplies the speed signal is there on my cluster wiring harness.... Looks like a Mustang cluster is doable...

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Reply #268 –
The granny cluster is installed. I am not feeling it so much with the trim job I did. I am gonna try to work this out better while also keeping my eyes open for a used Mustang cluster and doing plenty of research for the install. I did confirm there is an unused dark green/white stripe wire in my existing instrument cluster harness connector which is used for a speed signal. I am wondering if it is live. I need to look under the car and see if a speed sensor is installed at the transmission inline with the speedo cable.

Bottom picture is me experimenting with the centerstack trimplate cut from the bottom of my original Tbird trimplate. Still waiting for a Mustang console and some trim parts and I will see which way things go. The defroster switch will go away since the Mustang dash locates it under the headlamp switch.
 

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Reply #269 –
I was able to finally make use of the Taurus cupholder insert I snagged from Pull-A-Part a few months ago. It fits perfectly in the lower dash tray insert opening which was also used for the optional componant factory CD player. I think I am going to find a factory Ford stereo that was used in the Mustang since they can usually be had pretty reasonably. I remember the ones I had in my 1994 and 1999 Mustangs and I liked them.