I normally try not to join forums for a car that I don't own currently, but I need some information. I'm a former 350z owner, but now own a R32 Skyline GTR.

Ive got a lot of plans for this car, including modernization of the interior and exterior. I would like to install the dashboard from a Z33 into my Skyline, however just going from memory, I can't think if it's about the same size. I understand that there will be modification needed, I'm pretty good with working with fiberglass and plastic, so I can reshape the areas that need it.

What I need from someone here, is a couple measurements of the dash board.

1) total length of the dashboard
2) depth from the windshield to the point where it meets up with the center console
3) height of the dashboard from the floor to the highest point of the dashboard.
4) width of the stereo and shifter trim as well

I really appreciate any help, as I don't want to buy the dash unless the measurements are reasonably close. I don't need the measurements to be exact to the 1/4" or everything, just a good estimate.

edit: scroll down for initial fitment pictures, it's close!

 

Y not try and get the 370z dashboard?

 

Z34 dashboards will be harder to find used, and I don't want to pay for new, way too much.

I can get everything I need from a Z33 for about $200 used from the Yahoo Auctions Japan website.

 

hmm, well i think you and i both know that the 370z dash board is better looking.. unless you plan to cover the dashboard with leather or something.. Either way im in for final pictures. i wish the best of luck to you.

 

Thank you for the comments.

I agree that the 370z dash is better looking, if I was buying everything new, I would consider it, but I'm trying to keep expenses down so I can put money towards other areas of this car as well.

I think the measurements are going to be very close, and this should work great. I think I will need the door panels as well, which is no problem anyways. I think I will have to take the portion of the door panel closest to the dash and cut it off and mold it into my current door panel. I like the vent location anyways, much better that my stock location which is basically useless.

The dash and door panels wil be covered in something. Not sure what yet, leather perhaps, since I'm also going with leather R34 seats, but maybe also alcantara material would be nice as well, mixed with some carbon here and there. I need to figure out what I'm going to do for the instrument cluster as well, as I don't think it will be very simple to integrate the 350z gauges on my GTR. I need something with an odometer for inspection purposes (doesn't have to match my original reported mileage) so a full digital display is out of the question, although that's really what I want the most. Something like the HKS Camp 2 would be cool, but I don't think that's going to happen. Ive only found one aftermarket speedo with an odometer, and it's an Autometer digital. Maybe I'll use the Nismo cluster designed for my car and mold a surround for it.

 

Racepak IQ3 has an odometer.

 

Why not go to a salvage yard and get the measurements yourself? This way you know exactly what your looking at.

 

Thank you for that, I will check it out.

I wish I could, none of the local junkyards have any Z33's right now. The Z33 isn't a common car in Japan, not compared to the amount we have in the US at least.

 

Got my 350z dash delivered today. It doesn't include any of the trim, this is just the main core of the dash, which is all I need right now for the initial fitting.

I have to say, I am VERY happy. I took measurements last week and everything seemed like it would fit fairly close, but I had no idea it would be this close. The contour follows the windshield PERFECTLY, like it was meant for this car.







This is what the entire dash looks like installed complete:




List of things to do I've found so far:

1) Modify main crossbar, because right now it's in the way of mounting the navigation unit I have. So it's going to need to be cut in the center, and then just have a strong enough steel plate welded in the back of it to maintain strength, but give me an extra 3 or 4". This isn't completely needed, but I want my navigation unit to be in the hideway section just below the center triple gauge section. If I installed it in the factory stereo spot, no need to do this.

2) Cut about 3/4-1" of depth out all around, and modify/fabricate some mounting brackets to get everything mounted solid. Other little minor trimming and filling here and there, nothing major though.

3) Cover the spot where the passenger airbag was with something. Thinking about mounting something in there, just not sure what yet. Maybe one of my audio components or something, I dunno. I might just cover it with fiberglass/plastic and leave it blank.

4) Have everything retrimmed in leather/alcantara/carbon fiber.

5) I can easily modify my stock door panels to work, but I will be doing 350z door panels, so that way everything flows together nicely.

6) Route new piping from the airbox so I can still get good A/C and heat and defrosting and everything, shouldn't be too difficult, might just have to get creative with it.

7) I want to use the 350z gauge cluster, so wiring it up should be interesting, we'll see how that goes.

8) Relocate e-brake handle to the other side. Easy, just have to make a new bracket, drill some holes, and move the g-sensor a little to the right.

I'm sure there will be other little stuff I'll run into, but this is the major stuff. Now that I know it will fit well, I need to start shopping on Yahoo Auctions for the rest of the panels.


I know not a lot of people will want to do this modification, but I'm still going to write a detailed log of modifications made in order to do this. I think overall it's going to be pretty simple. Door panels may prove to be interesting, since a fair amount of reshaping will be needed. As well as modifying my current door handle setup to work with the Z door handle.