'57 and '58 Imperial instrument panels : differences ... (sorry for my poor
english) When you look at a '57 dash then at a
'58 dash, at first glance they seem identical. Only the rear view mirror is now
on the left side of the gauges rather in the middle of the upper dash. But first, how to remove the instrument panel ? You must remove the whole instrument panel,
it's impossible to remove the "right" side or the "left" side. It's also a very
heavy item, around 80 to 100 lbs .. First thing is to remove glove box, radio,
rear view mirror, heater cable, speedo cable, Torqueflite cable, oil gauge hose,
all the wiring you could disconnect from instruments (antena, blower, ignition,
etc..). Remove also the steering column cover. You'll have also to remove the two windshield garnish moldings (#9) with
one screw under the eagle medallion #16. Now you can see screws which attached
the upper instrument panel #20 to firewall. The instrument panel is a two die-cast item
assembly (#31 and #33) + a reinforcement lower bar (#24) + a steel "cover" #20
screwed on the upper area of 31 and 33. Another problem is the #72 "panel control
housing": this die-cast item is different on '57 and '58. It's nearly
impossible to see, i discovered that when i re-installed my "mixed" '57-'58 dash
(i put #72 and 31 from a '58 car): the headlight switch was upgraded in 1958
with a single switch housing (see pics below) BUT the casting of #72 had to be changed ! So you
can't use '58 switch on a '57 "housing" but you can use a '57 switch on a '58
panel, it's what i did but i don't remember what i did !!!. Ther's also a
difference on the parking brake axle housing, see pics on this
page Note also on this page that '58
speedo removing and installing has been improved .. |
Mopar, Chrysler, Dodge & Plymouth are registered trademarks of Chrysler Group LLC Chrysler Imperial France is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Chrysler group.LLC |