Changing the dash

The dash I have now is spot welded in. It has several holes (radio, extra switches, etc.) that the po put in. I have a dash that has no extra holes in it that I would like to put in but it is a bolt in dash from a later model '5. Has anybody ever done this switch and how much trouble am I in store for.
Just looking at it, it doesn't look too bad (same length, etc.) but better to ask before surgery than during.

 

You didn't say what year the later model is. If it's later than 71 or 72, the steering column cutout is 13" from the left end, whereas, the earlier ones are 16". I learned this when I bought one for my 56 from a 73 CJ5. Too bad. It's in near perfect shape, too. I ended up making one from 18 gauge sheet. It's complete except for drilling the holes for the gauges. I don't have a pic handy. I'll get one if I get any UWOP responses.

tommy b

 

I had to cut the dash out of the 62' Willys tub I'm gonna use ,to put in the mint 68' dash I got. I used a cut-off wheel and cut all the short welds from the factory and it popped right off...under it was all the holes to bolt the 68' dash to... have no idea why they were welded from the factory , maybe they had a shortage of bolts or something...

 

I don't know what year it came from, as I got it from somebody on ebay about a year ago. I saw the glove box door had a big button hole in it, so I assumed (danger, danger Will Robinson R) ) that it was from a later model than mine. I will measure the steering cutout though.

 

Nothing to swapping dashboards out. I'd be sure to get one that will work with your steering set-up though.

 

Upon further review, the "new" dash will work. The steering cut out measures the same, and as previously posted on this thread, I looked behind the current dash and bolt holes are evident on my tub as well. Why they welded it in instead of using the bolts is beyond me. :?

Thanks for the info,