replace or not to replace... repair or not to repair...that's the question.....
Today I removed the stock radio (for my stereo install) and one thing led to another and now I need to do something about my cracked dash... it's cracked up pretty bad... Soooo...
can a hard cover be installed over a really bad dash, or does it need to be in fairly good shape to get a nice look?... I have no idea how these go on... could not find any step by step install threads, for those who have done it, any advice? :bowdown:
are there any nice used dashes out there somewhere??
are there any other options other than putting a rug over it??
has anyone tried to contact any of the manufacturer's that make dash replacements for muscle cars??
They make dash covers, not the rugs but an actual hard plastic covering. There is a few installs posted on here or NATO; they look much better than a cracked dash.
As long as you have a dash you can cover it, you just pull/cut off all the pieces that are raised up and then glue the new cover over it.
P.S. I am not talking from experience, just what I have seen posted on the T-Bird forums.
check out this
http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/dashtop.html
Thanks for the link... the step by step guide was great.
however, my dash has cracks 3/8 wide and has many cracks that have risen up, a lot... no way that cover would fit flat on my dash... :dunno:
Just trim off the high parts with something sharp.
x2 yeah mine was the same way, just make it flat and pop the cover on. They look really good when they are in place. I had one on my 88tbird and spent about 2 hours carefully removing before the car got junked to use on my 88 cougar.
The other tips you'll find posted about leaving it in the sun to make it more flexible before install worked too. When I installed my old one I wedge paper towels and rags against the windshield to help keep the top flat while the silicon dried. Carefully trim out your speaker grills and your done.
I'm going to get some pictures... I think if I have to trim the high spots, there won't be a lot of dash left to adhere to..
I have a decent dash that has 2 very small cracks in it but is mostly still plyable and another dash I think only have a knick but the center vent. Pm me if interested not sure how far you are from me., figure $50 for either
I say if anyone does not like the exposed hard plastic have it covered in vinyl before installing it... I was at some point going to do this with the one I had for my original 1984 dash until I gave up on the complete dash shell itself because the whole thing was brittle and cracking all over.
If your really worried about sticking it on there, just get one of those rug toupees. They're cheaper than the hard ones, they go on much easier, and they make a great temporary fix until you are ready to go for the good one. And they really don't look that bad in my opinion, at least compared to a ratty cracked up top.
Oh, and sometimes you can get em embroidered!:hick:
I was thinking beer bottle caps might be fun to stick on every square inch until it was covered... :rollin:
John, I'll take the dash that we discussed... sent you an email.. :deal:
look at the areas bowed up... :disappoin
(http://members.pen 15s.net/esadyankee/tbird%20dash%20002.jpg)
I would just cut the high spots out and put a cover on
X2. A LOT easier,and no matter what dash you buy and swap in....it's going to crack.
I'm going to do the swap... the replacement looks really good... I have to take the dash out anyway to do a heater core replacement... It still has the orginial one in it, plus I need to run all the wires and cables for the stereo install.... need to install the new carpet also... then do the seats...
whew... the list goes on...
I'll do the dash cap when the replacement starts to crack someday...