Volare/Aspen dash swap??

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DionR

DionR

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Anyone ever looked at swapping the dash from an F-Body into an A-Body?

First thought is, are the widths even the same? Next is the potential issue with the pedal mounts and steering column. And it looks like the e-brake might need to me changed to a pedal.

Biggest reason this crossed my mind is the F-Body has vents on AC dashes. Add that is it is kind of more modern without being over the top and it has dumb ideas running through my head.

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Imo I'm a hard no! I like the original abody dash. I like my old cars to look original. But that's just me
I'm not a fan of classic cars with "modern" interiors and stuff like that but its your car do what you like and what makes you happy.
 
dartfreak75 said:
Imo I'm a hard no! I like the original abody dash. I like my old cars to look original. But that's just me
I'm not a fan of classic cars with "modern" interiors and stuff like that but its your car do what you like and what makes you happy.
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Problem is, if you want effective AC vents, you end up with some weird combination of modern and retro. The F-Body dash (to me) still looks more old school, even if not original. Not like I am looking at putting a new Challenger dash it my Duster. :D

But to be clear, not trying to convince anyone to do it, just curious if anyone has.
 
Hellrats said:
The 100 MPH speedometer sucks. I looks like a clock.
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But no reason the IP needs to stay stock....

Irony is, I currently have a 100 mph speedo in my Duster (should be 120 mph) because that was what I found.
 
Dartswinger70 said:
dunno man Id have to see it just to see how it looks in an A body...
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I’ve owned both, but never at the same time. That said, I really think it would feel and look just like sitting in a Volare. I really think the pictures included in the first post are a good indication of how it would look in a Duster.

The F-Body really appears (to me) to be an evolution of the A-Body so the question is how much did they change? Certainly the front structure, but maybe not the tub?

Might take my tablet out to my Duster after work and squint and see if the structure kind of looks similar.
 
So after further research, it appears this idea is far from bolting in a new dash. Looks like the upper structure of the dash and the support for the steering column is actually all welded into the car.

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Short of starting with a complete parts car and extensively reworking the dash area, this doesn't look do-able.

Might be easier to buy a Volare and swap in the front suspension from a Duster than to swap the dashes.

Ah well, it was fun to daydream about.
 
DionR said:
So after further research, it appears this idea is far from bolting in a new dash. Looks like the upper structure of the dash and the support for the steering column is actually all welded into the car.

View attachment 1715588255

Short of starting with a complete parts car and extensively reworking the dash area, this doesn't look do-able.

Might be easier to buy a Volare and swap in the front suspension from a Duster than to swap the dashes.

Ah well, it was fun to daydream about.
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There's your answer.
 
well, couldnt you cut that metal out of a Voplare,shorten it if needed and weld it in an A body( dont quit there,it looks like you need to do metal work,but it is doable ;))
 
DionR said:
But no reason the IP needs to stay stock....

Irony is, I currently have a 100 mph speedo in my Duster (should be 120 mph) because that was what I found.
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Mine tops out at 200...
 
Dartswinger70 said:
well, couldnt you cut that metal out of a Voplare,shorten it if needed and weld it in an A body( dont quit there,it looks like you need to do metal work,but it is doable ;))
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Something similar was what I was thinking of when I said I was too dumb to let things go.

Only difference is, I would cut it out of the F-Body and then try and modify it so it would bolt into the A-Body like the stock dash does.

I might at some point pick up the cap on the F-Body dash and see how it fit my car. Based on the AMA specs, the windshield slope of the two cars are close but not a match so I could see the dash being a touch deeper.


This really only becomes useful if/when I add AC, which is a long way down the road. Until then, probably won’t do more than keep the idea in the back of my mind.
 
Not worth the effort for better vents. Not even sure its a workable solution.
Dash "frame" top is part of the cowl panel and its deeper.
Good luck finding a unexploded F dash pad.
you'd need to do mods to the instruments as well, or the harness.
and the whole right side of the dash is a big honkin' piece of plastic...
not to mention all the braces and brackets holding things togather.

I've owned and parted dozens of F's so I'm kind of familiar with em.
 
Jimacuda said:
Not worth the effort for better vents. Not even sure its a workable solution.
Dash "frame" top is part of the cowl panel and its deeper.
Good luck finding a unexploded F dash pad.
you'd need to do mods to the instruments as well, or the harness.
and the whole right side of the dash is a big honkin' piece of plastic...
not to mention all the braces and brackets holding things togather.

I've owned and parted dozens of F's so I'm kind of familiar with em.
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so waht is with these F cars? youd think theyd be the next thing in Mopar resto after the As dried up.
 
Dartswinger70 said:
so waht is with these F cars? youd think theyd be the next thing in Mopar resto after the As dried up.
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First they got a bad rap for rusting. Add that the suspension design is iffy and has little to no aftermarket support. Combined they result in a car that is not much better thought of than the Pinto or Mustang II.

The fact that they did rust pretty badly means there are fewer remaining than could have been.

I think they looked good, and I think the interior has some good upgrades. I really liked the Super Coupe I used to own, even if all the SC stuff was gone when I got it. Lot of good memories.

This thread got me to thinking about maybe looking for a Volare since the dash doesn’t look to be a feasible swap, but after reading about the issues with the suspension, rust and parts being hard to find, I think I will drop that line of thought and stick to what I have.
 
DionR said:
First they got a bad rap for rusting. Add that the suspension design is iffy and has little to no aftermarket support. Combined they result in a car that is not much better thought of than the Pinto or Mustang II.

The fact that they did rust pretty badly means there are fewer remaining than could have been.

I think they looked good, and I think the interior has some good upgrades. I really liked the Super Coupe I used to own, even if all the SC stuff was gone when I got it. Lot of good memories.

This thread got me to thinking about maybe looking for a Volare since the dash doesn’t look to be a feasible swap, but after reading about the issues with the suspension, rust and parts being hard to find, I think I will drop that line of thought and stick to what I have.
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Yes wasn't it a transverse torsion system or something? I remember my uncle had an Aspen wagon. he was a economy car guy so he was a slant 6 guy. Had a 71 Duster slant with three on the tree,and then the aspen which I believe was a slant knowing him LOL this was 1980 or early 80s anyway.
 
F's? The suspension works great. The iso stuff gives a softer ride, solid mounts can be had easy.
Lots of styling cues from the Duster. Graphics went nuts those days on the F's. Good bucket seats. Decent console.
360 2 bbl was the baddest engine in 76, more power than anything from GM or Ford. Yep smog, ratings going to net, highway gears... you know the deal, any brand car bult after 71 (70forGM etc), power down,therefore price down. Forget the fact that everyone building a car builds in the power he wants not what came oem.
F quality? Poor in general. Then there was the NEW idea of how to a Mpar paint in '76. LOL I guess fit and finish MORE poor than normal with Mother Mopar. They fixed it by late
'77 but the horse was out and too late to shut the gate.
I have a couple and like a lot about them. Many fans of F's in Ohio and East especially. The F lovers have parted out many rusted and restored the better ones. Many parts in their hands, all cheap stuff except GRILLS! !!!
Prices of these cars have been easing up last few years. The RR and lesser cars can still be had for cheap. A good car for the DIY guy especially .
I see them as a great source for the restomod group in the near future.
 
barbee6043 said:
Prices of these cars have been easing up last few years. The RR and lesser cars can still be had for cheap. A good car for the DIY guy especially
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sure, i'll take one
sides, i think we all know the 76-80 is the only road runner i come close to being able to afford anyway
 
I restored a 77 Aspen RT about 10 years ago and the hardest thing to find was a freaking dash pad...car was yellow with black and white R/T stripes...black interior with vertical louvers on quarter glass...beautiful car ....rode like ****...rattletrap!!
 
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