Re: [Amc-list] Dashes and doors, was, Re: Ambassador for sale, also interchangeable parts!!

["Swygert, Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM" <Francis.Swygert3@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2007 10:27 AM
From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx

I would be very surprised if said doors would close at all, going either
way.
In fact, if I get to it while restructering my pile I will hold a 63-64
door up 
to a 65 and see what really happens.
I have a doorless 65 hardtop sitting out in the field and a good
American door
that is the same as the 63-64 Classic and Ambassdor used, except for the
window 
frame.
  I do agree with Frank on dash choice. If it actually fits a 63-64 dash
with
out pad is a nice cleaner layout and you don't have to fiddle with the
cracked
pad.
  Uh anyone have a 63-64 steel dash, complete :] Now he's got me
thinking, I've 
got two complete 65 dashes both have soem minor cracking of pads. It
might be a 
good time to go retro on the dash! I'd love a measuremnt on one if
anyone has
one out. Width is probably the biggest issue. If the glass is the same
the
curve should be right too.
  Does a sedan use a different dash then a hardtop or conv???
---------------------

The 63-64 doors will fit and open on a 65-66, but I doubt the other way
around due to the different skin. It's not terribly difficult to remove
the skins and do a little reworking of the support structure and put a
63-64 skin on a 65-66 door, you'd have to add some material to go the
other way. But the door structure is basically the same. Width of the
dash is the same, mounting points for the dash is the same all four
years. There is one large bolt on each side near the bottom IIRC, and
screws along the lower edge of the windshield UNDER the rubber gasket.
Remove windshield, remove upper screws, loosen the two bolts, tilt dash
forward on the bolts, then pull back and up (roughly 45 degree angle) to
remove. Install in reverse. That's after all electric and cable
connections are disconnected. AC and heater boxes are the same on all
four years, but the ducting may be slightly different between 63-64 and
65-66 models. 

It's ironic that some of the best cars, at least as far as profits for
the maker are concerned, have been those with the most
interchangeability. They have also sold well!! The 63-65 Classic was a
big money maker and hit with the public. The most recognized (and now
reviled?) example is the plethora of K-cars and their spawn, but
Chrysler was very much alive and healthy while building them, as
compared to now with many discrete platforms. 

Seems that the auto industry never learns, and keeps repeating! AMC went
under largely due to the break and expense of multi-platforms, though
they did keep some parts interchangeability (front suspension,
drivetrains don't really count!) going, and did keep the bottom line
cars interchangeable for years -- though I wouldn't go so far as to say
that was exactly intentional. Chrysler is now on the block largely due
to the same reason -- to many platforms, which reduces profits. 

There is a need for more than one platform for a full line auto maker,
but the only things that interchange on any of the Chryslers (excluding
drivetrain) now is between competing makes -- like the Pacifica and
Grand Cherokee. Same company, but still compete with each other. 

While the automotive public derides the K-car more than the Gremlin (I
have to admit -- it's only because there are STILL more K-cars around,
even originals, than Gremlins, and they are of more recent memory), like
the Gremlin it was a solid little people mover and a good value new or
used. Those kind of cars never get much respect, even though they sell
in droves!! 

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