How I replaced my Dash

[cicsprog]

It’s about time I contributed something here rather than taking. In that vain, I documented the replacement of my cracked dash with an OEM one. You may remember this post:

Replacing the Dash

First, to me this is NOT an easy task. It took me a full day. My car is an 88, so there was no need to remove the windshield (applies to 86+ cars). However, once the old dash was out, putting in the new one in place proved difficult with the windshield in. However, it can be done.

First thing, steering wheel off, gauges out, defrost vent cover off, and center air vent out to access bolts that hold dash.

[cicsprog]

Bolts are located at each end of the dash, two on the top of the drivers console, one on each side of the vent hole, and one midway of the glove compartment. The passenger side end bolt and the one midway of the glove compartment are the most difficult ones to get off (easy since I cut out the dash) and then secure. These are knuckle busters. A flexible LONG screwdriver that accepts 10mm socket proved invaluable.

[cicsprog]

As I tried to remove the nuts from behind the gauges, they would just spin along with the bolt. The bolts are actually molded into the dash. Heat/sun had caused these to fail and access was so tight I could not hold the bolts to get the nuts off. So it was my decision to just cut the old dash out. I also had to cut off one of the bolts on the left side of the air vent with a bare hacksaw blade because it was stripped. You may want to consider this problem if you decide to redo yours by “Just Dashes”. You may end up having to buy a whole new dash. Removing the nuts became a lot easier by tearing out the dash

Failed bolts

[cicsprog]

tearing dash out....what have I gotten myself into!

[cicsprog]

This dash is now For Sale...any takers?



Dash completely out. Take some time to do some cleaning and replace bulbs.

[cicsprog]

New dash before installation


Dash fitted in place



Hardest bolts to secure are here on the passenger side firewall

[cicsprog]

The vent plate will probably need to have the underneath foam replaced due to sun/heat break down. I used car/marine weather stripping from Home Depot. This NEEDS to be replaced, if bad, since vent cover won’t sit properly on the dash with out the foam offsetting it. You will need ˝ to ľ inch thick by ˝ inch wide weather stripping to get the proper fit. Mine was Ľ inch thick with one sticky side, so I just laired it to the proper depth.


Throw the toupee away


Completed installation:

[Plavan]

It is almost worth taking the front windshield out. It made it very simple on the race car to do it. Now we just have one of those plastic "coverlays" in place with no real dash in place. looks good.

[pwd72s]

Nice thread! How fortunate that you didn't have to pull the windshield. Good point on the "just dashes" route...be sure you have a repairable dash in hand before sending it in. Evren's path was to buy a cracked but repairable dash from a board member here, then it went off to Just Dashes. We were able to finally get it to Istanbul, where it's now awaiting the install time...

[JeremyD]

woo woo! We'll make a DIYselfer out of you yet! Looks like a great job...

I think you might need to remove this picture

There's a law in the great state of Florida about subjecting dashes to any cruel and unusual punishment - I believe this one got a verbal as well as phyical assault!

[cicsprog]

Six beer job if successful....12 beer if not.....would I do it again? Hum...

[fitz]

CICSProg,
What a great thread! I also have an 88 and was thinking about doing the same thing over the winter. Now I'll just follow your information to help me. I also didn't know that this could be done without taking the dash off, that's what has stopped me from doing this project.

Question, where did you buy you OEM dash from and how much did it cost ? I've seen regular black OEM dashes but haven't found any colored ones (mine is dark blue).

Thanks again for sharing this great thread...Ron Fitz

[Randy Webb]

The old dash is worth $85 (plus $115 shipping & "handling") on eBAY.

[chuckw951]

You know, if I did this I would get to about this point:



and my wife would walk into the garage, roll eyes, and walk back out.



Good job on getting this project done.

[cicsprog]

I must be married to the same gal.....mine does the same thing...Thanks!

[cicsprog]

Well, now you have the instructions.....now you can enjoy the fun of this project:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2498098584&category=34206

Just happen to bait my hook and see this. I'd ask a lot of questions. Looks like black. Has no feedback.

Jason
88 911

[DG624]

I have a similar dash color and was going to ask Just Dashes for a replacement. I priced a factory part and it was $1,700!!!

WIll I have to remove the windshield for my '86?

How did you find a maroon replaccement...I gave up?

[RickM]

Originally posted by DG624
\How did you find a maroon replaccement...I gave up?

Just Dashes will probably recover in any factory color you'd like.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Makes me glad my dash was replaced by one of the POs. It's in good shape with no cracks... except someone painted parts of it with a maroon color, and went nuts with red in the interior. I'm going to have to remedy that during the restore... hehehe

[DG624]

Rick, have you tried Just Dashes? It is hard to buy something like interior parts mail order. I would like to know about fit, color and surface texture match. I don't want to have a to go to a black dash with a maroon interior.

I was told that temperature extremes cause cracking but can racing cause stress for the dash and create cracking also? I need to do alot of restoration with rust at suspension pickup areas so maybe that had some effect on the body flexing. I am not using the car for any racing now until it is sound.