Hi i hope you can solve my problem ¡¡¡
Well here is the case i found a 85 ??Base Firebird its all totalled and it has any glass except for the cracked windshield,the car looks like the one in the pic here and here is my question:
The only thing good on the car is some of the interior,i have a 82 S/E and i dont like the 82-84 console and dash style with too much squared edges while the 85-92 are rounded so this car have the dash and gauge clusters in perfect condition
My intention is to change the dash and im sure it will fit with no problem but my problem is:The 82-84 gauges are illuminated from the edges and it looks the same illumination from an old 60s car while 85-92s gauges are like "self illuminated" each word and indicators are like illuminated by themselves(i hope you understand what i mean)and looks like a modern car when you look at the gauges at night all gauges look orange and the illumination doesnt come from the edges
But im not sure if this car come with that illumination,i believe its a 85 cause it has the console and dash of 85-92 style
and the rear seats parts in two.the VIN is gone so im lost if you tell me "check the VIN",but the gauges look like early style but bigger (it dont have the squared pattern impressed on the gauges ..the same thats impressed on the console and ashtray door on 85-92s)so thats why i have the doubt which illumination comes with that gauge cluster but the needles are orange..I dont have idea when Firebirds started to come with that illumination...im sure 86 and up but ive never seen an 85 gauge cluster lighten up.
1 Will this gauge cluster fit my 82 ?
2 Will i have no problem with speedometer?
3 The location of the dimmer is different....it is down the headlight switch...not by the side like my 82...it will be a problem??
4 This gauges comes with that cool illumination ??
....I was thinkin that maybe it is an 85 and 85s came with all new style rounded edges console and gauge clusters but with the old illumination ....I hope not ¡¡
Please Help and thanks very much ¡¡¡¡¡
NOTE : THE PIC HERE IS NOT FROM THE CAR I FOUND----THE PIC SHOWS OLD STYLE CONSOLE ,DASH AND GAUGE CLUSTERS.

 

Please help ¡¡¡¡

 

I can help with some of the questions.
I was some what thinking along the same lines as you. Instead of changing the whole dash. The plastic gauge cluster cover (cover only) from an 85 (maybe 85-90 also) will bolt in and replace your cover now. The great thing about that is the square edge trim you don't like on your 82 is replaced by the gauge trim cover on the 85. In other words, the 85 which is one piece molded, simply replaces the three pieces that make up the 82 gauge cover AND dash switch mounting area AND headlight switch mounting area. This is what I did.
You will of course need the switches (rear hatch release and defroster) from the 85-90 birds, because even though they will fit in the 85 dash trim, they look terrible. This requires rewiring your dash harness for those two switches, as the new switches have extra terminals and won't connect with your 82 harness directly.
As for the side to side headlight/dimmer switch converting to up down headlight/dimmer switch mounting, it is a tight fit, but I took my 83 switch mounts and simply epoxied them in an up down fashion in my 85 dash cluster trim cover. They fit and I still use the original 83 switches.
I don't know about the illumination question.
The whole dash should swap.
As for the speedo, remember at some point they became electric and not cable driven, so that may be a huge conversion issue.
AND
I am just about finished with two of the four white face gauge templates for the 82-84s, so maybe you want to hold off on a complete conversion for just a little while longer.
Good luck

 

Thanks so much ¡¡¡
I will get that but i need to know about the illumination anyone knows ??
if 85s came with the same orange indicators and illumination ??