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Important Details for 50-2031 Dashboard Pad, 72 240Z
Originality:
The original factory S30 Dashboards were not made by Nissan, but sourced from multiple outside suppliers. Slight inconsistencies and tolerance variations existed from one dash to another. These Dashboard restoration pads mount to your existing Dashboard frame. They give you the ability to adjust the mating surfaces of the new pad, so any inconsistencies from the OE Nissan manufacturers can be rectified. When compared to the original 1972 240Z Dashboard, these Restoration Dashboard Pads are made of vastly upgraded materials, including the Urethane foam base, as well as the plasticizers and UV Protectors in the Thermal Formed ABS/PVC Vinyl, with 50 years of technology and quality upgrades, providing much longer durability than the original foam and vinyl overlay used in the original "padded" material.
Does Your Z Currently Have The "Wrong" Dash? Identifying Your Current 240Z Dashboard
Nissan sold the 1972 Dashboard as the only replacement for many years after the 70, 71, and 73 units were discontinued. So it is unlikely that a 72 would have a different Dashboard installed. If the Dashboard on your 72 240Z does not have the the "cross" indentation for the Hazard Switch Label, then your current Dashboard is from a 1970-71 or 1973. If this is the case for your 1972, then this restoration pad may offer you an option that you can't get by sending your current Dashboard out for professional restoration, which is changing from a Dashboard without the indentation (1970/1971/1973) to one with the indentation (1972 only).
1970-1971: Looking at the image below, if your Dashboard does not have the "cross" indentation, and the top hole was not punched out from the factory, then your dash is a 1970 to 1971 (note that some owners may have punched this hole out themselves to use for a switch or similar). On these original 1970-1971 Dashboards, the top hole was unused in the US, and the bottom hole housed the emergency flasher toggle switch.
1972: If your Dashboard does have the "cross" indentation, and both holes are cut out from the factory, your dash is a 1972. On these original 1972 Dashboards, the top hole housed the cigar lighter, and the bottom hole housed the emergency flasher toggle switch. The "cross" cutout was for the flasher toggle decal.
1973: If your Dashboard does not have the "cross" indentation, and both holes are cut out from the factory, your dash is a 1973. On these original 1973 Dashboards, the top hole was for the cigar lighter, and the bottom hole had a "pull out" emergency flasher switch.
Note: Over the years your Dashboard may have been replaced with one from a different year. The 1972 Dashboard in particular was available longer than other models, and therefore was often purchased as a replacement for other year 240Z's. In addition, even from the factory, Nissan actually installed some 1972 Dashboards on a few very early 1973 240Z's. Please call us at (714)639-2620 prior to ordering if you are uncertain. If you have to send the wrong one back to us, the shipping costs can add up quickly!
Finishing Details:
Semi-Finished Molded Parts:These are semi-finished, fresh-out-of-the-mold Thermal Formed Vinyl over Molded Urethane Foam Dash Pads. Due to the inconsistencies that are common in original Dashboards, a pre-finished, pre-drilled part would present many installation problems. It is better to start with the semi-finished pad in order to have the flexibility to get the best match to your Dash Frame, Gauges and Dash Attachments. Regarding color, while all S30 dashes were black, you could line up 100 current cars and have 100 slightly different shades, depending on many factors, including 40+ years of fading. Even cars that have been garaged all their life will see some discoloration. With our pads, it’s your choice. If you like the natural shade of the pad, it does not require paint. You can then pick a paint color and refinish other pieces to match the Dashboard. Or, pick the item you wish to match (like your glove box lid), and a good automotive paint store can supply the paint to color the dash and anything else that you want to paint match (like the console or other trim pieces for instance), with the correct matching shades. See "Color Finishing" below.
Mold Material Finishing:
Burrs and imperfections are a part of every molding process, and may need to be trimmed. They could interfere with the fitment of the pad onto the Dash Frame, or the position of the gauges, and the installation of other items that go "into" the Dash pad & frame. High quality Urethane foam material is easily trimmed. Extra material is molded around openings to ensure a good fit to the other Dashboard pieces.
Hole Drilling/Port Opening:
While the ports for the five main gauges and two end vents are already open as part of the mold, other ports will require cutting/drilling to fit instruments or switches as needed (Note: This was also true of the factory Nissan replacement Dashboards). This includes the twin ports (below & right of) the Tachometer, as well as the trip odometer reset dial, dash illumination Dimmer Switch, and Glove Box push button. Holes are also (wisely) not pre-drilled for the screw attachment of Dashboard "insert" pieces, like the Glove Box or Map Light Bezel, Heater Control Panel, and mounting brackets. Remember that no additional hardware is required, you will re-use all the original fasteners.
Final Finishing:
With all parts of this type of construction, they may have some small level of shade variation in the surface. See "Color Finishing" below for details.