MGB & GT Forum

Looking at a couple of GT's with badly weathered / cracked pillow dashes.

Replacing the dash would be a priority in either one - both cars are modified, so originality is not a concern; my preference would be to replace the entire dash with a 72-76 center vent / glovebox unit - wiring harness modifications and gauge/switch changes don't concern me, but I am curious whether there will be any significant issues with fitting a center vent dash in place of a pillow dash.

I recently looked at a 68 GT that had a center vent dash installed which suggests it may not be a big issue, but the seller said the dash was in the car when he bought it, and he wasn't even aware the dash had been changed..

Have run multiple searches and found much info on metal dash conversions, fibreglass replica dashes, etc, but no threads that specifically address this question......

A discussion this subject:
http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?1,2431647

You have to read a bit before they get to using a later dash.

A response to me:
"The easiest change is 72-76 dash using 72 or earlier heater controls and your original radio console. The center vents can also be used for air conditioning, or with body mod's made to function."

Read through that thread, don't see any info beyond the "easiest change is to the 72-76 dash" reference, and the subsequent reference to the MK IV dash (in the images I've dug up, it appears the MK III and MK IV dashboards are the same - is that correct, or am I missing something?).

To rephrase the original question, what I'm trying to determine before I commit on one of these GT's is whether the conversion from a pillow dash to a MK III/IV dash (aside from gauge, switch, and wiring changes) is essentially a bolt-in operation, or whether modifications to the sub-structure behind the dash are necessary for the later dash to be mounted in place of the pillow dash.

I changed my 70 pillow dash to a 74 with no problems, I did not hook up the dash vents though I've heard it can be done. go for it.

This is not a helpful comment at all - - more of an observation.

I hated the pillow-dash in the '68 - '69 MGB's for a long time. I had a '67 GT and a '65 roadster with the steel dash and loved the look of those (still one of the simplest, best looking dashes in any car, ever - IMHO). I have a '65? parts car with a good steel dash in it and often fantasized about exchanging the "Abingdon Pillow" in my DD '69 for that one.

But over the years, I decided to just live with the dash the way it is, and spend my time fixing and modifying other much more pressing details about my MGB. I put one of those dash-top plastic covers on to hide some cracks and left it alone.

Wouldn't you know - - I have actually grown to like the pillow. It's not that bad looking really and it IS original to the car. It's a 2-year only (and US - Canada only) option! Also, I have never had anyone say a negative thing about the "funny" or "ugly" instrument panel, most people don't notice and think that it looks great.

As I said, not helpful to the OP, just my unsolicited ruminations on the subject.

The fresh air box on the early car does not have the provision for the center dash vents. I suppose it could be fabbed up.

I put a '72 dash in my '70 Tourer--bolts right in (and if you're smart, with fewer bolts than you take out if you think you'll ever have to get it out again--and you will). The vents are easy to remove and replace with a number of things if you want; they won't be operational anyway without drilling holes--which would weaken the overall structure of the unibody. (If you get the chance, look at the vent apertures on a '72+ car--MG provided additional reinforcement to compensate for the openings.) I had nothing against the pillow dash; mine needed replacement and I wanted a glovebox. The center console mates right up with the later dash. As far as the center vents go, they're not operational but they look fine, and I'm told their actual function wasn't that good anyway. BTW, the gauge openings on a '72 are the same size as those on a '70--important consideration unless you're replacing the gauges as well.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015-05-30 01:13 PM by tucsonsean.