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Differences between Dash Harnesses?

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Old 03-29-2014, 11:18 PM
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Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: Turbo 5.3
Transmission: 4l80e
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Differences between Dash Harnesses?

A few months I took my dashboard out to fix up all the wiring and replace the fusebox in my 84 Z28. I have gotten all of the wiring working now but it's a mess since I had to take all of the wrapping off the original harness. I've been looking online for a 1984 dash harness to buy, but haven't found anything. There are some Camaros at the pick your part place near me which I was thinking of going to get a harness to replace mine, but are there any major differences in harness between the years?

There's an 85 Z28 at the place which I'm pretty sure would have the exact same dash harness as my 84, but on the off chance that it is all cut up from people taking parts, there is an 88 Z28 and a 89RS which I could also get a harness from. Would the 88 and 89 both work in my car with minimal modifications?
Old 03-30-2014, 10:39 AM
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Re: Differences between Dash Harnesses?

Early cars had alot of mix and match wiring from the factory, esp with the add-on style EFI systems like crossfire

Gamble either way

The 88 and 89 dash harnesses will be completely different. 85 carb could be similar or it could be a different animal depending on the car's load out

Post a wanted ad in the classifieds

If you're doing a LSx swap, Id jump directly to the newest dash harness you can get and deal with the minor changes to make it work
Old 03-30-2014, 11:22 AM
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Car: 1985 Z28
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Re: Differences between Dash Harnesses?

I won't be doing an LSx swap for a yeah, most likely. With the dash harness, I don't need any of the stock gauges to be connected since I already wired up all the gauges I need with AutoMeter stuff, so it'd only really be for Interior lights, turn signals, wiper, etc. I think I'll just pull whatever complete harness I can get and make it work.
Old 03-30-2014, 02:24 PM
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Re: Differences between Dash Harnesses?

I'd stick with an 84-87 harness. There will be some changes due to different engine configurations - but those are the most compatable years.

( Stay away from ) The 82-83, the power distribution wires on C100 are not compatable and the wiper sytems are unlike any other thirdgen.

88+ cars used a dash harnerss that extends all the way to the back of the front door. ( The dash harness on an 84-87 stops behind the kick panel.)

The other option here is to swap all the wiring. I converted a digital dash interior out of an 85 Berlinetta once & replaced the dash housing + All wiring from an 88 Camaro. Because I used the matching tail-light harness and headlight harness...... I barely had to do any special wiring. ( fuel pump pick up plug was different and so was the wiper motor.)

You can make pretty much anything work, but sticking with 'similar' parts will require minimal changes compared to your other options.


Old 03-30-2014, 03:48 PM
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Car: 1985 Z28
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Re: Differences between Dash Harnesses?

Originally Posted by John in RI
I'd stick with an 84-87 harness. There will be some changes due to different engine configurations - but those are the most compatable years.

( Stay away from ) The 82-83, the power distribution wires on C100 are not compatable and the wiper sytems are unlike any other thirdgen.

88+ cars used a dash harnerss that extends all the way to the back of the front door. ( The dash harness on an 84-87 stops behind the kick panel.)

The other option here is to swap all the wiring. I converted a digital dash interior out of an 85 Berlinetta once & replaced the dash housing + All wiring from an 88 Camaro. Because I used the matching tail-light harness and headlight harness...... I barely had to do any special wiring. ( fuel pump pick up plug was different and so was the wiper motor.)

You can make pretty much anything work, but sticking with 'similar' parts will require minimal changes compared to your other options.


Good to know! I just got back from the pick your part place and I had great luck. Someone had taken the dash out already and just left the whole harness laying in the car. From what I can tell, it is identical to mine, since the car was an 85 Z28 with carbed engine. The wires from the c100 to the harness were cut, but they should be easy to splice back together. Glad I was able to get the harness from this car instead of the 88 and 89 that were there.

Thanks for the info guys!
Old 04-01-2014, 12:05 PM
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Re: Differences between Dash Harnesses?

Originally Posted by 84LsxZ28
....... I just got back from the pick your part place and I had great luck.......

And that ALWAYS makes for a good day !



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