Replacement Dash

Mike252001 · 08-21-2008, 06:41 PM

Hay
I have holes in the dash real bad

I do not like the REPLACEMENT DASH COVERS [ carpet is out] other than going to dodge and paying $369 for hole new and 7 hours lab
WHAT CAN I DO????????????

FosterW · 08-21-2008, 07:03 PM

Go here DASHTOP - BLACK ('98 - '02 DODGE)-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage

It is a complete hard platic cover. They look factory too. Install is a snap. Just paint it if you have to.

rolltideram · 08-21-2008, 08:25 PM

Do you install the Geno's cover over the busted oem dash? I have wanted to try it, but have not had time to talk to Geno's to see how it works. I was hoping they would cover it in the magazine. JC

FosterW · 08-21-2008, 09:13 PM

yes it installs over the existing dash top

Dave M · 08-21-2008, 09:53 PM

I just installed that plastic dash on my 97. I bought a can of grey paint also. I JB welded the cracks in mine (no holes) while weighted it down to get the dash level (let it dry overnight) so the cracks don't stick up too high when installing the cover. Then I lightly sanded and painted it. It looks like OEM except the dash mounting screw holes were not drilled out on top (I think 6) and sides (1 each) so I drilled then out in case I needed to get the dash off later.

Then I lightly sanded the top of old dash and bottom of new, cleaned it with amonia glass cleaner (per instructions) and used the supplied tube of clear silicone adhesive to glue it to old dash. I barely had enough to finish it. Then I stacked weight lifting plates on top to weigh it down and used cardboard between door and sides of dash to get the sides pushed in to stick to old dash and left it overnight. It came out OK except I got some slight paint scratchs in places. I'm thinking of installing a dash cover to protect it now.

LMC Truck has what looks like the same cover already painted for about same price:

LMC Truck Parts - Page 70

The paint they offer appears to be better than the Dodge paint I got from genos. I ordered a can and will try painting over my dashtop while in the truck.....not an easy task by the looks of it.

This dash is easier than OEM but not sure if I'd do it again. Might be better to go the OEM dash.

Overall the Geno's dash looks OEM but not sure if the paint will hold up to scratches so Im going to paint over with the LMC Truck paint..

Dave

JLandry · 08-21-2008, 10:09 PM

Mike,

The price for a new OEM dash cover is about $260 at MoparPartsAmerica

Part number 5GK45RC8AC is for interior trim code C3 - "Cirrus" (?) color
Part number 5GK45VK9AB is for interior trim code K9 - "Suede" (tan) color
Part number 5GK45LAZAB is for interior trim code AZ - "Agate" (dark gray) color

Best regards,

John L.

rolltideram · 08-21-2008, 10:27 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience with the dash cover. Mine is cracked badbly and has one big hole in it. I had thought about leaving the replacement black, just not sure how it would look. I know it would look better than what I have now. JC

Dave M · 08-21-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolltideram

Thanks for sharing your experience with the dash cover. Mine is cracked badbly and has one big hole in it. I had thought about leaving the replacement black, just not sure how it would look. I know it would look better than what I have now. JC

I thought about leaving mine black also but it looks good grey. I'd recommend use the LMC Colorbond paint with the Colorbond Prep cleaner and maybe the Colorbond Satin Clearcoat. At least use just the paint. Fix/patch your old dash like I did first to get it as level as possible before appling the dashtop. I'd paint it and leave for a day before installing the top. It's not hard to do just time consuming going thru all the steps. You definately need to figure out what to weigh it down with or it won't stick but will flex up.

Good luck
Dave

Mike252001 · 08-22-2008, 03:52 PM

I want a fix and MoparPartsAmerica seems to be the fix for me.
Too bad i have to fix the things that should be covered under a recall .

Bob Cochran · 08-23-2008, 04:45 AM

Don't mean to hi-jack this but a lot of reference is made to MoparPartsAmerica for OEM parts and I have used Pomoco Automotive Parts Online for OEM parts but I have not tried to get a new dash to be honest though. I guess my question why MoparPartsAmerica better or is it? Again sorry seemed like a good place and time to ask.

I did do a price comparison for dash panels so this fits here and not be a Hi-jack per say!!! It looks to me Pomoco for the same dash part number is about $100+ cheaper. I assume both OEM so quality the same did not check on shipping.

OOP's forgot to say I am not affiliated with either company in anyway shape or form!!

JLandry · 08-23-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Cochran

Don't mean to hi-jack this but a lot of reference is made to MoparPartsAmerica for OEM parts and I have used Pomoco Automotive Parts Online for OEM parts

As long as you're comparing apples-to-apples (i.e. both are supplying true OEM parts and you're including the shipping charges and tax if that applies), then go with who's ever cheaper to your door.

Best regards,

John L.

BSMcCauley · 08-23-2008, 02:28 PM

Word of caution: if you elect to replace the top dash panel, make sure you keep your VIN plate if it is fixed to the dash panel like it WAS

in my '96. Kids broke my passenger-side door lock a while back to get in and commenced to prying the dash apart in an apparent effort to get the radio out. Didn't get away with anything, but did $1500 damage.

However, worst of it was that the body shop doing the repairs threw out my old dash without collecting stuff off from it, such as the VIN plate.

Long story cut to: HUGE hassle and time required to get a replacement VIN number assigned by the state.

Mike252001 · 08-23-2008, 08:09 PM

I am all for the cheapest fix never heard of Pomoco Automotive Parts will look in to it.
To tell the truth i am nervous about ripping out old and putting back new ..... this might also be a winter job the heat is murder.

BSMcCauley thanks for the tip dint think of the vin plate.

Bob Cochran · 08-24-2008, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike252001

I am all for the cheapest fix never heard of Pomoco Automotive Parts will look in to it.
To tell the truth i am nervous about ripping out old and putting back new ..... this might also be a winter job the heat is murder.

BSMcCauley thanks for the tip dint think of the vin plate.

I don't even remember how I found out about Pomoco but I have bought some parts(not a lot a couple of items and mostly for my Jeep) from them and so far so good. My latest purchase and I have not gotten yet is a new wiring harness for my overhead counsel as one of the press to start map lights broke. I don't necessarily recommend then just passing on my own experience. I don't know about you but I rarely will purchase without doing some research first of my own. Since nobody here other than me has used them I would be cautious it was just a possible alternative and I like alternatives.

Good luck.

VHolloway · 08-26-2008, 03:40 AM

got some jb weld and we are going to take our time and try to glue this old dash together so we can get a dash overlay off ebay
the plastic kind that glues down