Installing Serra Madre replacement dashboard

[Travisrt1985]

Purchased a new vinyl Serra Madre dashboard for my 88. They did not have installation instructions they could send me. I received an excess amount of brackets and bolts compared to the actual amount of places to use them on the new dash . I removed my old dash already and I’m ready to install but want to do this correctly. Any one have experience putting one of these in? Here are some pics of the dash underside and parts included. Where do the metal brackets go? I assume the black plastic taps are for the ends of the dash? There’s only one main bolt on the underside of the new dash compared to like 6-7 on the original. Thanks for any help.

[Travisrt1985]

The more I look at this the more I am becoming confused. I have 6 of these bolts with no place to put them



And I was wrong the 2 black plastic taps will actually not fit into the larger openings at both ends of the dash




Only thing I know is the side covers will fit into the two smaller holes just fine



Then there’s these 4 metal brackets that look like they don’t serve a purpose either

[tschall]

Just had my '86 recovered and then we reinstalled. For the later 86 -89 cars, windshield does NOT need to be removed. There are a total of 7 studs protruding from the dash as it came from the factory on my vinyl '86. Your dash has slots to accommodate 9 studs, or at least my car did. This may be due to leather original dash stud locations being different.
You should have five studs facing forward from the rear edge of the dash, and 2 studs facing down midway on the dash on either side of the tach. Leftmost forward facing stud is above the left dash vent into the cabin. Easy. There is one stud each on either side of the center vent facing forward. Easy. There is one stud left of glove box forward facing - access through the frunk only, and lastly another forward facing stud above the right passenger vent - access thru frunk only near antenna amplifier. The last 2 studs are somewhat difficult, but if you use an 18" long x 1/4" extension it is doable. May need a wobbly...
I found once dash in place lightly snug the two vertical studs the tighten all forward facing studs. I started on left and worked my way right. Finally tighten the two vertical studs. Tighten is probably not the right term, think over snug...

[tschall]

OK, I think you need to thread the packaged studs into the dash BEFORE you try to install. You should have locations matching the above description to receive the studs. They appear to want to thread down to the point where the center flange/nut is tight to the underside of the dash. You will then fit the dash and apply washers and nuts to secure vinyl dash to the metal of the car. You saved the old washer and nuts correct? Post some detailed pix of the underside of the vinyl dash if you can't locate the correct spots to install studs...

[Travisrt1985]

I’ve taken out my original dash already.



You are correct the windshield did not need to come out (thank god!) .
But the studs that were on the original dash are not present on the underside of the replacement . Literally only one stud is present next to the air vent as seen in the
pic I posted. I was not expecting that when it arrived.

[Travisrt1985]

Originally Posted by tschall

OK, I think you need to thread the packaged studs into the dash BEFORE you try to install. You should have locations matching the above description to receive the studs. They appear to want to thread down to the point where the center flange/nut is tight to the underside of the dash. You will then fit the dash and apply washers and nuts to secure vinyl dash to the metal of the car. You saved the old washer and nuts correct? Post some detailed pix of the underside of the vinyl dash if you can't locate the correct spots to install studs...

They gave me plenty of new washers and nuts with the dash so I will see if I can thread them . Thanks for reaching out .

[tschall]

I understand. SM supplied you with the hardware to tap and thread/place in the correct position for you dash. Have you located the areas for placement? I have no idea what you paid, but the shop that did mine was great and then some. Located in SLC, I brought the dash in, they matched the vinyl/color and ordered the material. Finished in about 3 weeks, less than a grand...

[Travisrt1985]

God there is nowhere to thread the 6 bolts into the new dash. The only place is next to the vent shown here




At the ends of the dash I have no idea what is supposed to go in the larger hole as nothing I have seems to fit

[tschall]

Is the center vent correct in its placement? I ask because dash seems incorrect for our later cars? You may have to wait until Tuesday and call SM for confirmation. I've done 2 dash refurbishments in my life. My '86 was the easiest... the other one, an 80 was a PIA...
Reach out if you wish tom change directions...

[john walker's workshop]

Remind me not to buy one of those.

[Travisrt1985]

I think I am gonna call them Tuesday to confirm. Something doesn’t seem right. Slid it onto the car and the fitment seems slightly “off”. tschall sending you a pm.

[eastbay]

welcome to the world of aftermarket parts

[harv666]

nothing but problems with many of their parts. Lakewell makes a dash that fits great, stoddards is good but super tight to fit. How is your windshield still in the car?

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by harv666

How is your windshield still in the car?

86 and up don't need the windshield removed for dash removal/replacement.
Edited for correction after post below.

[dg567]

Originally Posted by mbatarga

84 and up don't need the windshield removed for dash removal/replacement.

1986+

[David Inc.]

As an owner of an '82 that makes me very cranky. Hah