[Hannibal]

I recently called Nissan on an estimate for installation of a digital dash in my '82 280ZX. They said that, if I furnished the parts, the cost would be $1,500. It is my understanding I will need the dash unit, wiring harness, fuel guage and temperature guage. Does anyone know of any possible way to install this without the monumental cost of labor from the dealership? Also, where might I find these guages?

 

[DAVE H]

Hannibal,
Last winter I installed a digital dash into an analog 82 280zx. I also switched from auto to 5 spd.and installed a turbo engine out of an 83 280zxt. I did not think the dash was that hard. There is a lot of stuff to keep tracked of but it is all standard stuff as far as I'm concerned. You'll need a steering wheel puller, but just buy a cheap on, it will work fine. Now that $1500. is for a factory trained guy to do the work in 25- 30 hours. That means it will take you some time to do it yourself. Take your time, put the car in a place you can leave it apart for awile and save yourself the money.
I am actually thinking of removing the digital and going back to the analog. When i do I will be happy to sell you the parts that I don"t use myself. You will need the wiring harness that goes with the digital dash by the way.
Dave H

 

[83zxt_Japan]

I own an 83zxt that has a digital dash. I replaced the dash into analog three month ago. I did this with my friend. But it was fairly easy. Only 6 hours. You can find it in the archives of this site.
And I didn't exchange the wiring harness.
Though a harness for digital has some extra wires (for an indicator of mirror defogger etc.), I think you can do it without exchange of the harness. But sorry, I'm not sure. If you have a factory service manual, you can find out with comparing wiring diagrams.
Regarding digital gauge ass'y, you may find it on ebay.

And you will have to exchange the water temperature sending unit and fuel gauge unit. They are different between analog and digital.

 

[DAVE H]

When i put a 83 digital into a 82 analog I did not change the fuel tank sending unit and it seems to work properly, although the girl in the box did not remind me when I ran the tank very low, and the low fuel light did not come on. I am not sure about the water temp sending unit, but it's been my experience that the Japnese are very good in keeping things simple as far as using the same parts as much as possible
Dave H

 

[83zxt_Japan]

In my case, I haven't replaced the fuel tank gauge unit yet because the fuel gauge "works".
But it is inaccurate. For example, when the gauge is on half position, the rest of gas is about quarter. Yes, it's no problem once I get accustomed to it.
And the water temp gauge didn't work at all. (Of course it worked fine before the replacement to analog.)
So I replaced the water temp sending unit. The gauge worked fine again.
Regarding the talking lady ("Fuel level is low") and the low fuel light, mine also doesn't work. But I think that it is no relation with the gauge replacement as they also didn't work when the gauge was digital.
Satoshi