Dashboard fixes

chrisp2493 · Feb 5, 2017

Has anyone leather or vinyl wrapped their dashboard? I have an 03 and the dashboard has a bunch of cracks, so I'm either getting a dashboard cap or thinking about diy leather wrapping. Anyone try this before?

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HemiLonestar · Feb 6, 2017

Depending on how displaced the cracks are (when mine finally went one part ended up sitting higher than the other) it might still show. When my heater core went I swapped in a good replacement from an 04-05. That was 4yrs ago and still good.

chrisp2493 · Feb 6, 2017

Don't you have to pull out the entire dashboard from the truck to replace the top plastic?

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HemiLonestar · Feb 7, 2017

chrisp2493 said:
Don't you have to pull out the entire dashboard from the truck to replace the top plastic?

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Do you mean the panel closest to the windshield or the whole big main piece lol?

chrisp2493 · Feb 7, 2017

The whole big piece unfortunetly

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SilverStreak88 · Feb 7, 2017

I've pulled my dash about 6 or 7 times, I pull as a whole. You have a ton of those little black screws all over that you have to find and some are a PITA to get to, it's easier to just pull it out as a whole and separate it out of the truck. You can pick up a good salvage dash for about $150, they are all over around my area. The panel that goes over the speakers fell apart on me, $275 new, I found one that was tan, but matched my gray at a salvage yard when I was getting a fuel tank and picked it up $75. You can get some good deals if you just look around the yards.

chrisp2493 · Feb 7, 2017

I already managed to pull a dashtop at a junk yard, so it's been sitting in my garage for a few months waiting to devote a day to it. The only thing was the dashboard on the truck in the yard was already half torn apart so that's why I pulled it. Isn't there a few screws towards the windshield that are facing backwards and you can't get them from the cab side?

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SilverStreak88 · Feb 7, 2017

chrisp2493 said:
I already managed to pull a dashtop at a junk yard, so it's been sitting in my garage for a few months waiting to devote a day to it. The only thing was the dashboard on the truck in the yard was already half torn apart so that's why I pulled it. Isn't there a few screws towards the windshield that are facing backwards and you can't get them from the cab side?

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I'm not sure, I know there are 4 that are hidden under that trim piece by the windshield. There are some by the A-pillars as well that are kinda hidden. I'll go out and see if I can identify some at lunch and get back.

triple111 · Feb 7, 2017

Yes there are several backwards screws around the HVAC tubes. Pulling the whole dash is annoying the first time but you get good at it. I followed this tutorial at first:

http://www.ramforum.com/f76/how_remove_dash_access_hvac_box-19058/

All of the other screws are accessible from the cabin, make sure you get the ones behind the radio panel, above the steering wheel, etc as well. Good luck with the electrical connectors.

chrisp2493 · Feb 7, 2017

Thanks I'll check that link out. I remember it was hard pulling it apart in the scrap yard and I wasn't even being careful about breaking things in the truck, let alone doing it carefully. Maybe this weekend I'll try it. I'm happy with how much better my mods have improved my truck, so I'm getting tired of looking at this ugly cracked dash haha

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chrisp2493 · Feb 7, 2017

Ok so I'm taking the plunge. Went to Joann fabrics (feels weird going there by myself, much better when the wife comes) and found some brown faux leather/vinyl and some brush on adhesive. If I can get this to look good, I'll pull the dash and swap the dashboards. If it's a flop, I'll order a dash cover sometime and go the easy way

Anyone have any ideas on how to deal with the defroster vents? Should I break them out and just leave a hole or make some kind of a trim ring? I'm lost on this

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Core-Lokt · Feb 10, 2017

I suppose since the panel is flat, you could glue the vinyl to the surface and cut the grid squares out.

Something else that might work is you could easily form a screen from expanded aluminum gutter guard and with long enough ends adhere them with JB Weld to the underside. Gutter guard takes paint well, so you could even do that.

chrisp2493 · Feb 10, 2017

Core-Lokt said:
I suppose since the panel is flat, you could glue the vinyl to the surface and cut the grid squares out.

Something else that might work is you could easily form a screen from expanded aluminum gutter guard and with long enough ends adhere them with JB Weld to the underside. Gutter guard takes paint well, so you could even do that.

I was thinking about door screen but gutter guard sounds like a good choice too. I think I'm gonna cut out the grid on the panel and then tuck the fabric around down in the hole

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chrisp2493 · Feb 10, 2017

After some initial problems I'll write up in my build thread, I finally got the wrap installed nicely. Tomorrow morning I'm pulling the dash and replacing the cover

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triple111 · Feb 11, 2017

Looks real nice, be careful putting those 4 bolts above the vents back in or you'll drop them into the HVAC piping and never see them or your 10mm socket again, not like i'm speaking from experience or anything :suicide:

SilverStreak88 · Feb 11, 2017

triple111 said:
Looks real nice, be careful putting those 4 bolts above the vents back in or you'll drop them into the HVAC piping and never see them or your 10mm socket again, not like i'm speaking from experience or anything

10-4 on that, I lucked out and dropped them while pulling the dash.

chrisp2493 · Feb 11, 2017

Thanks for the advice. Now that I have that in my head, I'm probably going to end up dropping them anyways haha

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SilverStreak88 · Feb 11, 2017

chrisp2493 said:
Thanks for the advice. Now that I have that in my head, I'm probably going to end up dropping them anyways haha

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Just take your time, I got in a hurry and it didn't go well the first time. The next time I took my time and it was a lot better. Get you a strong magnet and run your screwdrivers over them to magnetize them to help with them falling off the tip.

chrisp2493 · Feb 12, 2017

I'm gonna do a small write up on my truck build thread but figured I'll show the guys that helped with info. I'm gonna try to find gutter guard and install it in the vent holes.

On the downside, all the clips broke off my center console lid trying to remove the fabric. Don't know how to fix that

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Core-Lokt · Feb 12, 2017

That looks great-does it appear more luxurious? I would think so.

Are you going to do any part of the door panels?

Dashboard fixes

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