1978 40 - Holes in Dash Question - What went there?

[SliderJack]

Time to clean up my dash and I figured I'd plug some of the holes added by previous owners. It looks obvious to me that the two holes on the right were added and should be plugged.

The one on the left though, when I got the vehicle was empty but it looks like it wasn't added by someone with a drill. Is this stock and if so, what went there?

 

[JohnnyC]

The upper right and lower left I have always seen with factory plugs... I'd have to look around to see what was there otherwise ... Maybe rear heater?

Btw factory plug was a dished small plastic round cover with two small metal prongs on the inside to hold it

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

I've always wondered how that dash cutout above everything works? Is it a light?

I'll look on my 78 to see if I have your holes, my previous owners cut holes in the otherwise good dash pad for drinks and made holes for a clock and volt meter gauge right next to the glove box. I don't know why so many people butcher these vehicles dashes.

 

[john657]

Yep, I have a 78/40 and the upper right and lower left holes in your pics are the factory rubber plugs. The lower right in yours appears to be a PO drilled hole. It is very close to the knob on its left side and nothing should bethere.

 

[john657]

The cut-out above the pull knobs is a green light that is mounted into the underside of the dashpad that illuminates the pull knobs. The open hole above the Hazard pull knob in my above post is where the wire harness comes through for that dashpad light.

 

[SliderJack]

Thanks!

 

[JohnnyC]

AFAIK figured out the lower left hole.... it is for the FD button "Front Drive" .... alot of markets still were getting vacuum transfers ... thats why we always see a plug there for USA

 

[Suntreemcanic]

On my 78 FJ40 the hole under the emergency brake/emergency flasher lights is the toggle switch for the rear heater. I do not have those two holes to the right of the lighter and fresh air knobs.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

heres the only pic I could find of mine when I was striping the interior a few months ago. You can see the cup holders cut into the dash pad up top. Surprisingly they work well but I plan on cleaning them up and making look as oem as I can in the future, or until I find a dash pad replacement i can live with the price.

The volt meter with nothing hooked up to it is a nice touch from a previous owner. I started to fill it in but then saw some later 40s have what looks like a vent coming out of a circular hole at that same location so now Im not sure if it was a defrost tube or hole from the factory or another hole cut by a previous owner. I will probably patch the hole to get a cleaner look, I've got a warn hub sticker i can place over it to help hide as well

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

I dont think my 40 had these vents as the drivers side does not have a hole but the hole cut in the dash for the cosmetic only gauge seems to be the area where ive seen these on other 40s in pictures. I keep going back an forth if I should weld up the hole, I dont want to weld it up if it came from the dealer that way though and a previous owner just placed a gauge in the hole

 

[Living in the Past]

On my 78 FJ40 the hole under the emergency brake/emergency flasher lights is the toggle switch for the rear heater.

That was added. Starting with the 74 model the rear heater was wired to come on when the front heater was on high. Not sure why because it took away options of how you use the heaters. From 8/80 until 1/81 SOR shows a rear heater switch available that mounted in the center console along with the rear heater. Then a black plug to fill the hole. I assume it was back on heat of the front heater again.

The switch knobs changed design with 73. During the 73 model the switches were marked "FAN FRONT" and FAN REAR" THE switch itself was the same for both front and rear heater. With another switch and 73 fan knobs it would look pretty close to factory.

 

[foreputt]

I'm reviving this old post instead of starting a new one. Where I am, defrost vents aren't necessary (and I don't have them anyway). Anyone have any good ideas that aren't too far out ther of how to plug or cover those holes? The holes are about 1.25" in diameter so a rubber plug like the factory plugs for the small holes by the pull knobs isn't ideal. Any other creative ideas that look somewhat "stock"?