LMC truck dash covers

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chewy_tha_baller

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Yeah, I just installed this in my truck a few weeks ago. Note that this is not a cover, it replaces the entire upper dash and bezel. If your dash is anything like mine, it's probably just a skeleton at this point anyway. It replaces all the old shattered crap and gives you a nice solid new dash structure.

Note that this doesn't replace the lower parts, nor does it replace some of the inner plastic pieces. I don't think anybody makes reproduction parts of those. But it seems like they never get that bad on most trucks.

Looks like a brand new dash now. Fitment is real good. I'm happy with it.

You might want to set aside a full weekend and also rebuild your HVAC box under the dash while you're at it. I installed the LMC dashboard, replaced the heater core, replaced the A/C evaporator, opened and cleaned out the HVAC box, and replaced the blower motor all at the same time. These jobs are all pains in the ass separately, so you might as well save up and do it all at the same time to get it done with. Given the age of these trucks you're probably due for all these too.
 
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Shellkamp

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Yeah, I just installed this in my truck a few weeks ago. Note that this is not a cover, it replaces the entire upper dash and bezel. If your dash is anything like mine, it's probably just a skeleton at this point anyway. It replaces all the old shattered crap and gives you a nice solid new dash structure.

Note that this doesn't replace the lower parts, nor does it replace some of the inner plastic pieces. I don't think anybody makes reproduction parts of those. But it seems like they never get that bad on most trucks.

Looks like a brand new dash now. Fitment is real good. I'm happy with it.

You might want to set aside a full weekend and also rebuild your HVAC box under the dash while you're at it. I installed the LMC dashboard, replaced the heater core, replaced the A/C evaporator, opened and cleaned out the HVAC box, and replaced the blower motor all at the same time. These jobs are all pains in the ass separately, so you might as well save up and do it all at the same time to get it done with. Given the age of these trucks you're probably due for all these too.
I just replaced the Evaporator coil last weekend. I inspected the heater core and I decided to take a chance on it. If it does fail I could always just cut the pipes inside the cab and reconnect theb new core with heater hose. Or maybe I'll just live without the heater. :Grin:

That's good to know it's a replacement top and not just a cover, mine didn't survive the coil replacement.

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chewy_tha_baller

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Yeah, it's just confusing because they named it a 'dash pad'. When I saw 'dash pad' I also thought it was just a cap, but it's not. It's a structural full replacement for the cracked piece of crap original upper dash part.

Don't try to replace it with the dash structure inside the truck. It attaches with a bunch of screws underneath the dash that you're not going to get to with the dash still in the cab. It's going to be tempting to try to half-ass it and do it with the dash installed, but it's going to **** you off more in the long run trying to get it to fit. Do it right and get the whole dash structure out the cab and on the floor where you can work with it. Otherwise you're not going to get all the defroster vents aligned and you're going to lose your defroster. And you'll probably end up with some nasty rattles afterward. Pulling the dash isn't much harder than getting it off the firewall and resting on the seats.
 
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Shellkamp

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Yeah, it's just confusing because they named it a 'dash pad'. When I saw 'dash pad' I also thought it was just a cap, but it's not. It's a structural full replacement for the cracked piece of crap original upper dash part.

Don't try to replace it with the dash structure inside the truck. It attaches with a bunch of screws underneath the dash that you're not going to get to with the dash still in the cab. It's going to be tempting to try to half-ass it and do it with the dash installed, but it's going to **** you off more in the long run trying to get it to fit. Do it right and get the whole dash structure out the cab and on the floor where you can work with it. Otherwise you're not going to get all the defroster vents aligned and you're going to lose your defroster. And you'll probably end up with some nasty rattles afterward. Pulling the dash isn't much harder than getting it off the firewall and resting on the seats.
I gotta take the dash out?! I was able to take the A/C assembly out by just pulling out the passenger side of the dash while using the driver-side as a hinge. I was able to avoid taking out the steering column that way.

Jeez - that's not going to be fun doing it by myself.

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chewy_tha_baller

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Check out the installation video from LMC:


They cover the process really well. I didn't have much trouble removing the dash, the only time I needed a second pair of hands was when I dragged it out of the cab. I was able to unbolt and disconnect everything by myself. It's not really that bad, just time consuming. You can have it in and out in a weekend. I needed help again when walking the dash back inside the cab, but again once somebody helped me carry it back inside the cab I was able to install it by myself without help from a 2nd person.
 
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Shellkamp

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Check out the installation video from LMC:


They cover the process really well. I didn't have much trouble removing the dash, the only time I needed a second pair of hands was when I dragged it out of the cab. I was able to unbolt and disconnect everything by myself. It's not really that bad, just time consuming. You can have it in and out in a weekend. I needed help again when walking the dash back inside the cab, but again once somebody helped me carry it back inside the cab I was able to install it by myself without help from a 2nd person.

Yeah it doesn't look too bad, you're right.

Looks like he didn't even remove the steering column - he just dropped it and lifted the dash over it. Is that what you did, too?

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Shellkamp

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Bit the bullet and ordered the pad and bezel last night. Merry Christmas to me!

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Shellkamp

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Installed it last night (without completely removing the dash :grin:) it looks great overall. Yes I got all the screws behind it, and yes it was a royal pain, but worth it to me because I don't think the rest of the dash would have survived a complete removal.

Unfortunately the plastic "skeleton" of the dash has not completely survived the years and has cracks and broken chunks out of it. A few spots holding in the accessories are compromised. I'll be bolstering those sections with epoxy or Super-glue to bring it back to usefulness.

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Shellkamp

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She looks practically new (at least in the inside), now!6904bdf25dbe54cb6a65a77488b74adf.jpg

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DodgeLady

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Anybody try these? Are they worth a damn?

http://www.lmctruck.com/features/de...jRuRBWvwBGdpeP_IYAHkydmFqBQYDFChoCW_QQAvD_BwE

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Installed it last night (without completely removing the dash :grin:) it looks great overall. Yes I got all the screws behind it, and yes it was a royal pain, but worth it to me because I don't think the rest of the dash would have survived a complete removal.

Unfortunately the plastic "skeleton" of the dash has not completely survived the years and has cracks and broken chunks out of it. A few spots holding in the accessories are compromised. I'll be bolstering those sections with epoxy or Super-glue to bring it back to usefulness.

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DodgeLady

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Do you think this dash pad could be installed (more) easily if the windshield was removed? I’d like to install one but that removing the whole dash looks daunting! Thanks.
 

DodgeLady

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Do you think this dash pad could be installed (more) easily if the windshield was removed? I’d like to install one but that removing the whole dash looks daunting! Thanks.
 

Joe w.

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It's not as bad as it seems. I done mine yrs ago watching a how to video on it.
 

CWhatMexy

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I just bought the cover but like others said, my dash was cracked to hell and back. I actually found the dash core and sprayed Rhino liner on the back to reinforce it. I bought the bezel off eBay and it still fit great. You can see my new post
 

DodgeLady

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Installed it last night (without completely removing the dash :grin:) it looks great overall. Yes I got all the screws behind it, and yes it was a royal pain, but worth it to me because I don't think the rest of the dash would have survived a complete removal.

Unfortunately the plastic "skeleton" of the dash has not completely survived the years and has cracks and broken chunks out of it. A few spots holding in the accessories are compromised. I'll be bolstering those sections with epoxy or Super-glue to bring it back to usefulness.

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I realize this is a really old post- but I’m going through repairing my plastic skeleton now. I recommend JB Plastic Weld. It comes in a two part clay that you work together until it’s a consistent color. You can actually form parts from it. I had to order from Amazon cuz could no longer find it on the shelves.


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