anyone installed a dashboard?

[rpiper]

I'm putting a black interior in my 78SC and have just received a new dash pad. Last night I removed the entire old (cork) interior and the windshield, and hopefully tonight I will install the new dash. There are several studs on the rear of the dash, so it appears that I must disassemble pretty much everything to do the swap. Any tips before I begin?

[Ron,K]

Just finished this same project. You'll have to remove the fresh air blower to get at all of the studs along the front edge of the dash. Also, make sure the "bushings" that the push pins fit in are in good shape. This is all that holds the front part of the dash down. If it's not flush, it will difficult to get the windshield in. Make sure you check all your wiring before you assemble everything since it's very easy to dislodge things while you're removing and installing the nuts for the studs.

Good luck

[pwd72s]

Other than hearing from different sources, all of them reliable, that you have to pull the windshield in order to install a new dash, I know little about it. Making this post as a bump...

[jerrykrug]

I believe I follower these instructions, No problems, Takes 2-4 hrs
Dashboard removal and installation

[jyl]

I have a 1989 3.2 and recently acquired a new dashpad. Now for the install . . .

Looking at the existing dash, I am wondering (perhaps I am just "hoping") if the windshield has to come out on this car to replace the dash. The reason I'm unsure is that on this car the plastic defroster vent extends across almost the whole leading edge of the dash, including the center part, leaving only the outer right and left 6" parts of the dash to actually be adjacent to the windshield. Looking closely at those 6", the leading edge of the dash does not seem to actually tuck under the windshield or even touch it.

Can anyone advise me if the dashpad can be replaced on this model year car without removing the windshield? Everything I've read says "no" but I thought I'd try . . .

[jjforland]

I just went through the routine of replacing my dash. I can say that it's a snap to replace the dash with the windshield out. I know thats not the answer you were looking for, however if you have a porsche, then odds are you can afford the 35 dollar seal and about 30 minutes of quite simple work. Besides, if you take the windshield out, you can clean it up like new. Makes you alot prouder of your work. Also, even though you have an 89 doesn't mean the windshield seal is leak free. I have seen an 85 with a windshield seal leak and there was no indication by looking at it from the outside. If the lip starts to rust, it's a b**** to fix.

[Rich L]

I'm putting a black interior in my 78SC and have just received a new dash pad. Last night I removed the entire old (cork) interior...

Just curious. Why the switch from cork? I think the color is unique. Let me know if you want to sell any of it. Good luck with the dash pad.