Dash replacement tips for 911SC

[uwanna]

I've had a brand new leather replacement dash for my '80 SC gathering dust in my garage, since scoring it at a swap meet some ten years ago. I would like to replace the gnarled looking leather dash with this one, but every time I look inside the front deck lid to ascertain the difficulty of getting to all the fasteners, I get overwhelmed and close the lid.
Help! How much stuff do I need to "move" to get access? It looks like I will at least have to remove the windshield, right? Any hints or tricks from anyone who has done this job, would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Grant

[fred cook]

I believe that you will have to remove the windshield. The remaining fasteners are all hiding up under the dash. You will probably also have to remove the gauge cluster. Not an easy job, but "do-able".

[JohnJL]

You need to remove the windshield to get to the ~10 screws and vents. The rest of it is just a lot of fiddling around with 8mm sockets and screwdrivers. Some tips;

1. Disconnect the battery. You will be reaching into the nest of wires, likely at some point to have been hacked into by previous owners (or...ahem....you) and you should try and avoid nasty shocks.

2. You might remove the seats as well to make access easier and reduce the change of damaging a seat with that screwdriver in your back pocket while lying upside down and behind the dash.

3. While the seats are out and while you might install a new carpet set. Its cheap and will look great with a new dash. Not a lot of extra work for a lot of reward.

4. Use safety glasses when looking up behind the dash. You'd be surprised how much dust/debris WILL fall in your eyes.

5. You dont need to remove the gauges.

6. Order a new windshield gasket ahead of time. And don't wear a ring while you are slapping the windshield down into place.

Good luck!

[ruby911]

pick up Wayne's 101 book - I just finished reading the section on window removal - it does not look that hard to do.

[Rich76_911s]

my tip would be to be VERY careful with the new dash.


Also you might want to look and see if you can order the plastic clips that go on the underside of the dash, if the new one didn't come with them. On the 2 times I have removed a dash I have never succeeded in removing it without breaking some of those clips.

Also you don't have to undo the wires for the guages but pulling some of them out is pretty much needed in order to get to some of the 8mm nuts. I would plan on removing the fresh air ventilation in the trunk as well, seems like it is unavoidable maybe if you are a bionic armed person you might be able to do it without removing the ventilation. It really isn't that bad but there is a lot of stuff in the way.

Waynes book 101 projects has a complete write up on the job with a great diagram of where the nuts and clips are.

Windshield removal is a must.

[Cooper911SC]

Hi Grant,

Just did this on my SC last August.

You should get Waynes book as others have suggested...very helpful.

You will need to R&I the windshield. Use the Genuine Porsche gasket for reinstall.

You don't have to remove much other than carpet from the trunk. I also removed the cardboard like support piece. I have small hands and was able to reach in with a 1/4" driver for the nuts.

You don't need to remove the glove box, but pulling the stereo is helpful.

You will need to remove the instuments...you can push out the fuel gauage from behind in the trunk...and I used a plastic scraper to CAREFULLY pry on the other gauages.

Most of the nuts are plastic and all but a couple of mine were finger tight. Use your new dashpad as a rough guide for location of the studs. There are also hidden screws at the defrost vent corners.
Before


Trim removal...be careful not to bend it too much...I repainted mine with krylon satin black, SEM Trim Black also works well.


Cut gasket in groove


Hidden screws at vent corners.

[uwanna]

WOW!! Thanks to everyone who responded to my cry for help!! I can't believe how unselfish and helpful the folks on this forum are. I found Pelican quite by accident while doing a Google search, and was blown away by what I found.
Since my first 911 in '68 to the present, I have owned nine of them. During that time-frame I would have given my "left n*t" to have a resource like this forum.
Fifteen years ago I got myself into a project that nearly overwhelmed me. I acquired a "92 3.6 motor/trans to try to put into my '80 SC. I got it done, and the car is a rocket, but it would have been so much easier with the advice and counsel from the vast group of wonderful Porsche lovers on this forum!
Thanks,
Grant

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by uwanna

I found Pelican quite by accident while doing a Google search, and was blown away by what I found.

You just hit the jackpot.

[plexiform]

awesome thread. thanks for all those detailed pics. i've been thinking of trying to get my gauges restored and color changed and LED equipped. Anyone have any thoughts as to who to have do this service? Here's a link to a place that seems to know what they are doing....

North Hollywood Speedometer and Clock Company. Serving your gauge needs since 1955. VDO, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Veigel, Veglia

they are asking around $1500 for all 5 gauges. Any opinions would be helpful. Also has anyone tried to recover the base board that the gauges are mounted on? For example changing it to a brushed aluminum or carbon fiber panel?
Thanks