In a message dated 1/13/2013 10:55:21 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
jim.felder@GMAIL.COM writes:

Not that  I want to, or at least right now, but I have a chance to pick up
one or  more dashes from a listmember. I was wondering if I could replace
the  earlier metal dash in an 83 diesel with the later padded one. I  can't
recall anything that would keep me from it, but I haven't tried it  either.

I don't want to use up the room to store them if they just  won't fit.

Thanks,

Jim

the metal dash is the same from 1980-1991.    the only  differences were
the later ones had the a/c control cutouts and the map  light.    other than
that theyre exactly the same.

you can put a '85 up padded dashpad on a earlier van.  no need to swap  the
whole dash.

 and if anyones interested, i have several nice black late model  padded
dash pads from '95-'91 vanagons.

chris