Pinto Car Club of America

Never dealt with early models too much.  A new Pinto friend wants parts that i have for a '73.  The parts are from a '78.  Will the door panels, sidemarkers, glove box, ashtray and instrument switches fit?

Thanks

Yes. I have done such swaps on my two Pintos (78 Sedan came first, restoring a 73 Station Wagon using 78 parts I have collected over the years).

The only things you mentioned that won't work are the instrument switches, assuming you are talking about the wiper and headlight switches. The 78 headlight switch has a dimmer, 73 does not. If you are thinking of the instrument cluster as well, that is also different due to a different wire harness connector, same goes for the switches.

Thanks Dave.  i'll let him know. 

Dave,
Curious why a 73 doesn't have a dimmer in the switch. I only spent enough time with mine to get to the body shop from the place I bought it. I did notice however during the drive I couldn't dim or brighten the dash lights. I couldn't find anywhere on the dash that had any knob to do it either. I'm sure it looked funny driving down I5 with the dome light going on and off before i gave up and decided to look into it later... Thanks.

Not to sure. On my 78, you turn the knob clockwise to dim and counter clockwise to brighten.

Did you clean and replace the bulbs in your instrument cluster yet? Was one of the things I did on my 73 while waiting to afford parts to get it drive-able again. Made a world of a diferance. The only odd thing about the 73 instrument cluster is the lack of lighting on th left side of the fuel gauge.