1986 Mustang GT Interior questions

Fitzjack · May 9, 2019

Hey guys,

I'm glad I finally got around to signing up here as that's the sign that I finally have the money to start restoring the Mustang my dad left me.

So, anyway the info on the car is obviously the meat of the post. It's a 1986 Mustang GT Hatchback with the 5-speed and manual windows and locks. The car hasn't had an easy life as my dad bought it from the state police in late 89. The car burnt partially in 90 due to the catalytic converters stopping up and that's where my interior issues begin. The knee panel on the dash is gone from fire melting it so I obviously need that and the stereo was ripped out by one of my dad's friends who broke into the car and stole it.

So my big question is, where does anyone find the original dash because I do not want to have to completely replace the wiring to bring an 87+ dash into the car. I've exhausted all options on where I could look at this point so I'm open to all information.

Thanks guys!

CarMichael Angelo · May 10, 2019

A donor car, or salvage yard is your only path towards replacing that.

Just be aware. While there still are cars in the south that can be found in a yard, the inner dash assy, will be a cracked, brittle mess.

I'd think twice though about whether or not you're better off dealing with it, or ditching it. A fire hot enough to melt the dash plastic was more than hot enough to melt everything underneath it as well.. ( heater, wiring, and the ecu circuitry that fits in the front pass side kick panel) does this car run?

02 281 GT · May 10, 2019

Got any pictures of what you're dealing with?

Agreed on junkyard sources. Some other fox platform cars had similar dashes to the Mustang such as the Fairmont/Zephyr as well.

Mustang5L5 · May 10, 2019

eBay is another source. You may have to grab any color you can and paint it. Problem is eBay prices tend to be high

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/254195481454

New top dash pads are also available.

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

CarMichael Angelo said:
A donor car, or salvage yard is your only path towards replacing that.

Just be aware. While there still are cars in the south that can be found in a yard, the inner dash assy, will be a cracked, brittle mess.

I'd think twice though about whether or not you're better off dealing with it, or ditching it. A fire hot enough to melt the dash plastic was more than hot enough to melt everything underneath it as well.. ( heater, wiring, and the ecu circuitry that fits in the front pass side kick panel) does this car run?

Yes, it runs wonderful actually. My dad rebuilt the interior after the fire with a donor car but my mom insisted it get parked (long list of stupid reasons she hates the car).

I actually drive it every weekend but I'm starting to focus on cleaning the interior up good and wanted to fix the dash because I miss having a stereo in it.

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

02 281 GT said:
Got any pictures of what you're dealing with?

Agreed on junkyard sources. Some other fox platform cars had similar dashes to the Mustang such as the Fairmont/Zephyr as well.

I unfortunately cannot find any in junkyards since people near me are grabbing 79-86's to build dirt track cars and just destroy the interior.

I'm thinking it'll be easier to find an 89-93 mustang and pull the entire dash and console and update to that at this point.

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

Mustang5L5 said:
eBay is another source. You may have to grab any color you can and paint it. Problem is eBay prices tend to be high

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/254195481454

New top dash pads are also available.

I currently have a brand new dash pad on it but it's the lower part of the dash assembly that is destroyed due to the burglary and the fire.

02 281 GT · May 10, 2019

Fitzjack said:
I unfortunately cannot find any in junkyards since people near me are grabbing 79-86's to build dirt track cars and just destroy the interior.

I'm thinking it'll be easier to find an 89-93 mustang and pull the entire dash and console and update to that at this point.

Might be a good idea to put out a craigslist ad in search of an interior then?

95BlueStallion · May 10, 2019

@Davedacarpainter , your salvage yard guy have any 4 eye cars beyond saving that still have a decent dash?

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

02 281 GT said:
Might be a good idea to put out a craigslist ad in search of an interior then?

I've been trying craigslist but in my area no one really has them due to the dirt track scene. Do you know if there are any guides for swapping to a newer interior so that I can keep everything working.

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

95BlueStallion said:
@Davedacarpainter , your salvage yard guy have any 4 eye cars beyond saving that still have a decent dash?

I'm getting married in September and going on a cruise for our honeymoon. So I'll keep looking and hopefully be able to buy one after all those festivities. I was just wanting to begin research on if there was some secret to finding one that I've been missing or something since I've looked the last year and seen approximately 0.

Davedacarpainter · May 10, 2019

95BlueStallion said:
@Davedacarpainter , your salvage yard guy have any 4 eye cars beyond saving that still have a decent dash?

Man Nick, he has the 4i’s there, but I couldn’t speak for their condition.

Mine was probably the nice one, lol.

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

Davedacarpainter said:
Man Nick, he has the 4i’s there, but I couldn’t speak for their condition.

Mine was probably the nice one, lol.

I just really want to keep the cool little dummy lights down by the gear stick. I wouldn't mind the nicer gauges and a/c controls though.

General karthief · May 10, 2019

Have you hit up some of those dirt track trash er enthusiasts to see if they have any leftover?

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

General karthief said:
Have you hit up some of those dirt track trash er enthusiasts to see if they have any leftover?

Yep. By the time I find anyone who grabbed one they've taken hammers to bust the dash out instead of taking it out normally.

General karthief · May 10, 2019

I hate people like that. I have what I think is a 82 or 83, not sure, had it forever, there is even a small tree (or large weed, not sure) growing through the engine compartment, can't remember but I think most of the dash is there.

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

General karthief said:
I hate people like that. I have what I think is a 82 or 83, not sure, had it forever, there is even a small tree (or large weed, not sure) growing through the engine compartment, can't remember but I think most of the dash is there.

It's just general laziness in not wanting to do it right. Since yours is that old, you probably know the funky little dummy lights I'm talking about below the stereo. Anyway, I have no clue why but I find them super cool.

General karthief · May 10, 2019

'information center' yeah, they are cool!

Fitzjack · May 10, 2019

General karthief said:
'information center' yeah, they are cool!

The 80s had some fun little gimmicks like that. I dig some of the little touches but I do like the climate control module and gauge cluster for the 87+ year models.

Davedacarpainter · May 10, 2019

After tearing out my interior, I found the little panel to be in almost mint condition, funny how everything else deteriorated so bad.

Interior is so far off for me at the moment that I don't even know if I'll be using mine.

Might use some prius interior parts.

1986 Mustang GT Interior questions

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