Analog Dash from 87 going into 85 with Digi Dash

  • #1

    Analog Dash from 87 going into 85 with Digi Dash

    i just picked up an 85 NA 5 speed the other day and the fuel gauge isnt working (every other part of the dash works fine). ive taken the instrument cluster out but i cant find any bad wires/connections or anything that would cause the issue. i have an 87 NA automatic that im using as a parts car and it has a working analog dash. i know many people have swapped out their digital dashboards with the analog ones, but will the analog dash from an 87 fit into the 85 without issues? ive read about some differences in the speedo cable and im curious if i have to take out the two center gauges as well (mpg/acceleration gauge and compass. would like to keep these if possible) with the analog oil gauge and voltmeter. do i need the speedo cable from the analog dash or will the speedo cable from the digi dash work? the 87 was my first car and i got the 85 to replace it so im not completely knowledgeable in the 300zx world, but im mechanically inclined and can do the work easily, just dont know what parts from which car to use to make it all work properly. if anyone else has done this swap and can tell me which parts to use and what exactly i have to swap out so i can go out and get this all done so i can get the car registered and on the road.

    is it also possible to leave the digi dash in the car and hook up the analog fuel gauge as a standalone in a secondary location as a backup? i like the digital dash, but i kinda need to know how much gas i have.
  • #2
    already checked out both those links. have the conversion how-to open in another tab actually. if i have to change out the two center pods as well, i think it would be easier to just hook up the analog fuel gauge as a temporary fix until more things on the dash die. may not be the most appealing, but my interior is shit anyways, so random gauge somewhere wont kill me. all i care about is if it works. ill take a look at the power supply as well (never checked that) before i try hooking up the secondary fuel gauge
  • #3
    I ran into a very similar situation years ago trying to convert an 84 Digital dash to 87 analog clusters. I started to slowly get things like rpm, temp, fuel, etc working but its required to change sensors/sending units where applicable. To my knowledge the conversions are only successful when swapping entire dashharnesses and from the same year. There are wiring differences between the years.

    Its possible, but be prepared to use the FSM and retrace the leads or create new ones.
    Originally posted by Andrew84zx
    tell her your car is so fast it will make her panties fly off
    545 RWHP & 540 RWTQ
  • #4
    i decided to keep the digi dash but im trying to wire up the fuel gauge from the analog cluster. i have the sending unit transferred over and the gauge out of the cluster. just cant figure out how to wire it up even with the manual… wiring noob =/