Mk3 dashboard swap???

[9bar]

Is it possible to put a newer dashboard (complete - not just clocks) into a Mk3???

I was swapping mine anyway as it is holed and scratched to hell from all it's previous owners/abusers

9bar

[AndyG]

It's been done Already

Do a search

The only problem was getting the heater/centre vents to comply

[9bar]

It's been done Already

Do a search

The only problem was getting the heater/centre vents to comply

In that case - is there anyone in or near Leeds with one they don't want???

9bar

[geordie white van man]

Yeah the dash fits. I did my old mk3. I fitted a dashboard from a 1998 smiley into my 1989 transit.

Just get the later heater matrix and drill new holes in the bulk head for the heater pipes, otherwise it fits.

[DarkLegend]

Just get the later heater matrix and drill new holes in the bulk head for the heater pipes, otherwise it fits.

No other mods required? Does the rest of the dash mount in the same places etc?

[MrMPuk]

Not all the bolt holes line up but enough do.

[geordie white van man]

yeah, what he said /\ /\ /\ /\

Its more the wiring you need to contend with. if you are good at electrics you shouldnt have a problem. When you get the dash get the multiplug for the switches etc with a bit wire on them so you can wire the new dash up. I did this to mine then a few months later I swapped the entire wiring loom from a 1995 transit onto my 1989 transit so it even had the PATS system on it for extra security complete with the red light in the headcloth . I went a bit over board and swapped everything as I bought a full van so it was so much easier. I even fitted the fuel tank as the smiley tanks are a bit bigger but that takes a bit more doing as the necks are different and the straps to hold the tank in place are in a different position.

[DarkLegend]

Excellent, cheers..!

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a decent Mk5 dash then!

[geordie white van man]

heres a couple pics of my mk3 dash conversion to mk5,







And also 1 of the van sporting its smiley front conversion aswell

[DarkLegend]

Excellent, that looks

Hows about Smiley style door trims, will they fit on Mk3 doors?

Or even electric windows? (current doors are in A1 condition, and have the camper decals on so I would like to keep them)

[jay]

what about the steering column case bit do u use a mk3 or the 1 with the dash?

[geordie white van man]

I think I used the smiley front 1 but I think they were more or less the same anyway.

The door trims wont fit the mk3 doors as the inner door handles are in different places, you are better off replacing the doors if you want the smiley trims. I replaced my doors as they rotten so I had the smiley door panels and mirrors. The mirrors can be made to fit the mk3 doors though. I think you need to drill a new hole if I remember rightly.

I ended up with everything on my mk3 from a smiley. the only thing I didnt get round to doing was the rear axle. I had the axle but it needed the shocker mounts cutting off and welding on the other side then the van would have looked like a proper smiley front or a ringer as some people tried telling me it was I had one person saying, "No way, thats a G reg mate, its gotta be a f*****g ringer!"

[stevo]

The Mk5 looks so much bigger, i still like that Mk3 dash though.

[DarkLegend]

Can anyone who has done this confirm if they had an pedal issues?

Spoke to the blokes at the local Transit breakers and they said 'Don't bother mate, far too much hassle, the heater matrix doesn't fit, the pedals are in a different place and the whole bulkhead is the wrong shape, it'll never look right.'

Doesn't seem to agree with the above, sounds like bollocks??

[FredTransit]

Can anyone who has done this confirm if they had an pedal issues?

Spoke to the blokes at the local Transit breakers and they said 'Don't bother mate, far too much hassle, the heater matrix doesn't fit, the pedals are in a different place and the whole bulkhead is the wrong shape, it'll never look right.'

Doesn't seem to agree with the above, sounds like bollocks??

Sounds like bollocks to me. Believe the people who have done it. Properly, ie the members of this forum.
What I would like to know is how to get a Mk3 dash to work in a Mk2, cos there are bits of ours that could do with replacing, and the tank Mk3 tank sender won't work with the Mk2 dash.