Air Bag dash in 1984 245 TI?

mr brick driver · 09-23-2005, 02:56 AM

I found a perfect dash at the wreaking yard out of a 90 240, but it is the air bag bolster dash, and it does not have the felt under it like the older cars have. I was thinking about getting this dash and putting it in my nice 245 TI, but I don't know if It will fit, becase that car never came with air bags. So, will it fit? If so, what modifictions do I need to make. Finally, is this a bad thing to do to the car, as far as having a dash that is obviously not the original type for the year becase air bags wern't around in 84?

towerymt · 09-23-2005, 11:35 AM

I think you may need to get those hard plastic/rubber kick panels to replace the felt. I don't really know.

It's not really an airbag dash, because the only airbag was in the steering wheel. I don't know why the panels under the dash were changed. The felt ones are so easy to remove whenever it's needed.

neptune · 09-23-2005, 12:29 PM

The knee bolsters were added to keep you from sliding under the dash in a front impact. As I understand it the dash with knee bolsters actually was introduced before the airbag was, but I have not seen a car with the latest dash and no airbag. But I don't see many later 240's or pay much attention.
I picked up a 93 dash for my 81 a few weeks ago. You'll need the entire dash, the knee bolster, and the hood release mechanism and bracket at a minimum. It looks like the black plastic shrouds around the steering column are different, but I think the old versions will fit. I'm going to try to use my old Bertone ones.
It looks like the felt pad under the passenger side is the same on the 93 dash as on my 81.
I haven't actually put mine in yet, so I don't know what else is needed, but I know others have done this before, I just hope I got everything.
The knee bolster dash doesn't have the hole for the center speaker, which is nice, and I think will make it less prone to cracking. It seems nearly every 81-90? dash I see is cracked, but very few later dashes I see are cracked. It can't be just age, 12 years should be plenty of time to crack even the newest ones.
Is it bad? I don't see how. Newer dash that may be safer, may be less prone to cracking can't be a bad thing. It would take a volvo nut to even notice that the dash is not "correct".
If you're going to be playing with a newer 240 at the junkyard, especially the dash, make sure you have a set of torx bits with you.

Homer · 09-23-2005, 12:42 PM

The orig dash in my 1990 had the center speaker hole. The new dash from a 1993 did not come with one as mentioned. Also you will need all of the framework that supports the knee bolster as well.
It is the bar with the yellow warning sticker and all attached pieces.

Link to my thread
http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=41818

own6volvos · 09-23-2005, 01:01 PM

What does it matter about anything relating to the airbag? The dash is a perfect swap, and the only part that has the airbag is the steering wheel which can be swapped to an older one. Not really any big concerns

09-23-2005, 02:56 AM	#1
mr brick driver Board Member Join Date: Feb 2004	Air Bag dash in 1984 245 TI? I found a perfect dash at the wreaking yard out of a 90 240, but it is the air bag bolster dash, and it does not have the felt under it like the older cars have. I was thinking about getting this dash and putting it in my nice 245 TI, but I don't know if It will fit, becase that car never came with air bags. So, will it fit? If so, what modifictions do I need to make. Finally, is this a bad thing to do to the car, as far as having a dash that is obviously not the original type for the year becase air bags wern't around in 84?

09-23-2005, 12:29 PM	#3
neptune 2.1L 2.3L 2.8L 2.8L 2.8L Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA	The knee bolsters were added to keep you from sliding under the dash in a front impact. As I understand it the dash with knee bolsters actually was introduced before the airbag was, but I have not seen a car with the latest dash and no airbag. But I don't see many later 240's or pay much attention. I picked up a 93 dash for my 81 a few weeks ago. You'll need the entire dash, the knee bolster, and the hood release mechanism and bracket at a minimum. It looks like the black plastic shrouds around the steering column are different, but I think the old versions will fit. I'm going to try to use my old Bertone ones. It looks like the felt pad under the passenger side is the same on the 93 dash as on my 81. I haven't actually put mine in yet, so I don't know what else is needed, but I know others have done this before, I just hope I got everything. The knee bolster dash doesn't have the hole for the center speaker, which is nice, and I think will make it less prone to cracking. It seems nearly every 81-90? dash I see is cracked, but very few later dashes I see are cracked. It can't be just age, 12 years should be plenty of time to crack even the newest ones. Is it bad? I don't see how. Newer dash that may be safer, may be less prone to cracking can't be a bad thing. It would take a volvo nut to even notice that the dash is not "correct". If you're going to be playing with a newer 240 at the junkyard, especially the dash, make sure you have a set of torx bits with you. __________________ www.neptune242.com 1984 245 GL \| 1980 Bertone Coupé

09-23-2005, 12:42 PM	#4
Homer Don't be me Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Almost Germany	The orig dash in my 1990 had the center speaker hole. The new dash from a 1993 did not come with one as mentioned. Also you will need all of the framework that supports the knee bolster as well. It is the bar with the yellow warning sticker and all attached pieces. Link to my thread http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=41818 __________________ -Jacob: I put a whiteblock in my 240. Need a short throw shifter for your M46/M47/M90? Give me a shout.

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09-23-2005, 01:01 PM	#5
own6volvos He who controls the Spice Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI	What does it matter about anything relating to the airbag? The dash is a perfect swap, and the only part that has the airbag is the steering wheel which can be swapped to an older one. Not really any big concerns