[Technomancer]

I am the proud owner of a '67 XR7. I love the fact that it's got full gauges, and the wood grain dash is spiffy... but I've got to be honest here: those flat-faced dials look like they could've come right out of a Summit catalogue!

In contrast, the swoopy angled bezels of the Standard coupes have style. They're interesting, have some texture to them, and they don't look like they got pulled off the local Autozone shelf.

I've got an old Standard dash (from a previous parts car) sitting downstairs in my garage, and I'm losing sleep over this!

I think what I'm going to do is get a couple Standard clock mounts, cut up the Standard dash a bit, and mount them so it's got three little gauges across, like the XR7. I'll use the idiot lights for a "Check Engine" light for my 5.0 HO, and the other one will become an indicator for my overdrive unit. Meanwhile, on the left, I'll mount a Voltmeter, on the right I'll put an Oil pressure gauge, and in the middle, I'm going to put one of Don's slick mini-tachs - all with the 'standard' beveled background.

To pull it off, I've got to put in a Standard passenger side dash, and I'll have to fab up switches for the center section to run my lights, and give me AC vents, not to mention the custom dash pad I'll have to make.

Keep in mind, the wiring through the dash on this car is toast, thanks to a nasty engine fire about 8 years ago. I've waited all this time to start my project, and I plan to do it once, do it right.

Does anyone else feel the same way about Std. gauges vs. XR7 gauges? Am I nuts for wanting to go through all this hassle, guys? :bloated:

 

[1970fastcat]

Of course you're nuts, but that is what makes people individuals, and cars stand out. If you have the confindence and desire to pull it off, go for it. I think it would be cool.

 

[dmac]

I personally cannot in vision it, not because of the idea, but the lack of parts in front of me. As Mike stated above "If you have the confindence and desire to pull it off, go for it." It sounds to be all extra parts, so if your not happy, change it back

 

[woodsnake]

I think a picture of a mock up would help us all see your vision, but it does sound pretty cool....

 

[tig_21]

just go for it, i dont think anyone will call you nuts for trying something unique and different. It sounds like a good idea that you put some thought into and if it's the way you want it then that's all that matters because it's your car.

 

[xr7g428]

The wiring harnesses for the two dashes are very different. Except for the speedometer, this is going to require a lot of electrical savvy. You probably all ready know that the changes will dramatically reduce the resale value of the car so that may not be an issue, but you might be better off selling the XR7 dash complete then starting from scratch with the standard dash, and wiring harness from a donor car.

 

[Technomancer]

People keep talking about the 'vast differences' between Std and XR7, but honestly, aside from the wires to the sender units, they don't seem much different. Besides; everything that goes through the firewall is GONE. Done. Burnt. I've got to replace all of it anyway. I'm not trying to claim to be an electrical genius, but I correctly wired my '89 EFI 5.0 HO motor and spliced it in with the factory wiring harness. I can't imagine that this will be more challenging.

(The fire came from a fuel system problem; ruptured crossover on the fuel rails, thanks to a pinched hose and driving it a few hundred miles on a 110 degree day)

You're dead on about the 'selling the dash' bit, xr7g428 - I'm hoping I can get Don to do some trading with me! With all the goodies I'm going to be buying from him in the coming year, he'll surely get his money's worth out of me, and then some. =)

 

[SwamperJr]

I personally feel like the std gauges look a little more stylish also. I think Technomancer is right, I've done complete dash swaps in cars from different decades.... and yes something like that does involve a lot of wiring, but it is possible without a migraine of a headache. Just jump in and go for it, can't imagine this would be that hard.

 

[xr7g428]

Among other things the entire front harness is different including the sender type for oil pressure, the presence of an ammeter, and the wiring to alternator and voltage regulator,not to mention fuel level, and even the wiring for the courtesy lights. But if it all burned then you are kind of winging it anyway. You would be surprised at how many Cougar wiring harnesses get burnt up when they try to convert a standard to XR7. The two cars are so different that they even have different body codes for assembly. The XR-7 was not an option package added to the Standard Cougar. There are more similarities between the standard Cougar and Mustang than XR-7.

For the record, I like the looks of the standard dash, it has more of the '60's feel, and I am not trying to discourage you, only to give you some insight on what you will need to do.

 

[67Catmando]

I was just looking at a couple of standard cluster housings. It looks like it can be done. I was thinking you could carefully graft the extra clock mounts into dash. It would take 3 total housings. I would take enough of the clock ring to get all of the fasteners on the back of the cluster. This might prove useful to use the dished lenses and the black metal ring. It looks like you would be confined to the the existing standard dummy lights and turn signal area. So the turn signal lights will need relocating. I am doing a wood dash inlay on mine and am eliminating the dummy lights altogether and relocating the turn signals down.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv32/67catmando/NOS4146.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[c7xr7]

While I hear what both of you are saying I can't say I've ever heard of someone saying they wanted to remove their XR7 dash for a Standard dash. If I ever did witness it I bet it wouldn't be very tough to find a few takers for that XR7 dash and wiring. I like them both but do appreciate what comes with the XR7 interior beyond the dash.

I personally feel like the std gauges look a little more stylish also.

I like the looks of the standard dash, it has more of the '60's feel, and I am not trying to discourage you, only to give you some insight on what you will need to do.