Dash cracks..Repair or Replace?

pwd72s · 05-08-2003, 03:23 PM

As some of you may recall, Evren's '71E has a badly cracked dash. So, he bought a dash not as badly cracked from a 911T being parted out, sent it to a company advertised in HOT ROD.
Well, the job took much longer than the 4 to 5 weeks promised. It was closer to four months. The dash arrived here today. How we'll get it to Istanbul, we dunno, but we're working on it. The cost to Evren for the repair was, if I'm not mistaken, $425 for the dash and the speaker grill insert.
My opinion? There is not a concours judge in the USA who would think this dash was a repaired one. He would think it was a perfect original or a new factory replacement. Pretty fantastic work, all in all... I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it. No wonder these guys are so popular with the muscle car crowd! Wish I had a digital camera & knew how to use it, but you'll just have to take my word on this. It was a super job, for what, about half the cost of buying new?
Check 'em out at www.justdashes.com

speeder · speeder's Garage

Good info, that makes them a valuable resource. Thanks, Paul!

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

If the window was out to have the glass replaced, how hard would it be to replace the dash? Is it one big piece of is the dash top just held on with a few screws?
-Chris

catuck · catuck's Garage

Has anyone had any success repairing cracks in a dash without removal? I tried one of those "as seen on tv" repair kits and it made a mess, but there must be something that could be used to fill the cracks for a cheap fix.

Avery · 05-08-2003, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the info. I still think $425 is costly but a new one it just plain outrageous. I just might check these guys out since I have my window removed now. Thanks again for the info.

Felmir

pwd72s · 05-08-2003, 07:42 PM

No way I know of to really repair a dash without the dash out of the car. In a 911, I'm afraid that means pulling the windshield. Chris, it's one big piece, other than the radio speaker grille...held on by a series of what I would call "push in clips" made of plastic on the most forward edge, and bolts that take nuts on the rear edge. Cheap fixes are probably just that...but for those looking at the (gulp) price of a new replacement vs. repair, those who know what is needed to R&R a dash, this is well worth looking into. The dash in my car IS original...comparing the two? Evren's dash looks like a brand new one.

evren · 05-08-2003, 11:55 PM

... thanks for making this possible, Paul!...

Very much looking forward to seeing it / installing it in my E. In the meantime, thank you again for storing all of the assorted boxes of porsche parts in your garage... Evren

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

I've heard nothing but good things about these guys. I've had them bookmarked for when I get to the interior work on my Targa. Good to hear there's another satisfied customer.

P.S. I went back to the site to see if they still had the section on how they shape foam and vacuum form the vinyl to the dash. It's pretty interesting stuff. You'll see why the turnaround takes a while.

http://www.justdashes.com/porsche.html

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

They do armrests too.

speeder · speeder's Garage

So it looks like they actually rebuild/re-skin the pieces, not just fix the cracks? If so, it essentially is a new dash. Wow.

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

i cked into justdashes.com. seems like a good deal by comparison to OE. they use the proper thermal vacuum process which i think was how the factory did it. they are only able to use the "sierra" grain so call for a sample. it was far different form the "wallabe" grain in my car. i opted to have local shop re'upholster mine for $125. however it is not factory correct as it has a "french" seam around the gauges.
bob
68L

pwd72s · 05-09-2003, 09:14 AM

Hmmm, I didn't check the grain...just looked at my dash in the car, then back to the living room to look at Evren's dash, and really didn't notice there was a difference. Overall, I'm thinking Evren is going to be quite pleased once he gets his hands on this piece.

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

Paul,

If I read you correctly....the speaker grill is still a separate piece to the refurbished dash...yes?

I reviewed the recovering issue with Auto's Intl., and they can recover,..but you lose the speaker grill separate piece....they do perforate the re-furbished dash where the speaker is...but it is no longer a separate piece. Auto's is somewhere around $325 or so.....

Eric