2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Replacement Dashboard

[Grinder1]

Hi folks, I'm in the process of replacing my totally wiped out dashboard. What a complete PIA project!! If anyone else out there has done this I would love to hear how it went, 'cause you know how misery loves company. Rather than bellyaching about all the things that have gone wrong, I'll get right to the question. Did you paint the cover or just leave it black (gets really hot). I think it would look better painted the original grey color, but man I do NOT want to have to pull it off again someday due to cracking, peeling paint. Is there some magic paint product out there that would hold up? Replacement dash is made of ABS, purchased from Genos.

 

[DavidC]

I painted mine to the original Agate color. I first used wax and grease remover then a Sem product that softens the plastic to the extent that the paint penetrates the plastic. I keep a dash mat on mine and have only removed it once and the dash still looked fine but I just did it with in the last 6 months. Good luck with the install, it's not really a tough job but the little things become time consuming. I took my good old time and with the add on's such as alarm and 12 disc cd changer controls and others, along with great attention to detail it took me 2 1/2 days before I was satisfied.



Dave

 

[bry1216]

Hi,

Does anyone have instructions to remove the original dash and replace with a Genos Replacement Dash?

Maybe images?

1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel

Thank you,

Bryan

 

[bboxall]

I've got to replace my dash too. Big thing right now is that my windshield is cracked and I've been searching 'windshield' and several have said the dash is much easier without the windshield installed. Is the new dash available from Dodge or should I buy the Geno's?

 

[DavidC]

The wind shield out would be a plus. My thoughts on the dash replacement: Dodge dash cracking and falling apart. Why would I put another Dodge dash back in. So far the Geno's is holding up but it has not been 11 years yet:-laf



Dave

 

[Jeff Knight]

This was mine a few years back. . Jeff https://www.turbodieselregister.com...iscussions/208465-replacing-cracked-dash.html

 

[bboxall]

Thanks for the info guys! My plan is hopefully going something like this:
1) Get my insurance informed about the giant crack in the windshield that started from a stone strike.
2) Talk to the windshield people about coming by the house and removing the windshield on a Friday and come back to install on Monday.
3) Spend Saturday replacing the dash inside my shop.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Anyone looked at a vinyl dash cover? I've covered quite a few with the Coverlay products, and they work pretty good: 94-98 1/2 Dodge Ram Pickup Dash Cover 22-947 They're glued down, which is the only real drawback I've found to them, but none of them have cracked in the last 7 years I've been installing them. They used to have be painted, and we used Mopar Vinyl Dye in the aerosol cans, and it hasn't peeled or came off in 6-7 years on the oldest ones I've done. The new ones are ordered to the color, and they're half the price of Geno's. If you don't want to spend all the time on a whole dash, and save a little money while achieving almost as good a job in appearance, I think they're a good option.



The vinyl dye works good on all the plastic dashes and fabrics, so that's your answer to your color. I get it from either Geno's, Isspro(if in stock), or the dealer. We like 'em because we can do 'em in less than an hour, and we make $60 for the labor. It takes overnight usually, or all day for the silicone adhesive to dry and stay put.

 

[bry1216]

Thank you for the links!

 

[Jason Griebel]

Has anyone used one of these replacement dashes on ebay?

Was wondering if they are any good, if anyone used one how do they fit?





1998-2002 Dodge Ram Truck Dash - FIBERGLASS Dashboard



Fits: 1500 2500 3500 Best Dash You Can Buy- FIBERGLASS!

 

[Matt42]

Hi folks, I'm in the process of replacing my totally wiped out dashboard. What a complete PIA project!! If anyone else out there has done this I would love to hear how it went, 'cause you know how misery loves company. Rather than bellyaching about all the things that have gone wrong, I'll get right to the question. Did you paint the cover or just leave it black (gets really hot). I think it would look better painted the original grey color, but man I do NOT want to have to pull it off again someday due to cracking, peeling paint. Is there some magic paint product out there that would hold up? Replacement dash is made of ABS, purchased from Genos.

Are you replacing the whole dashboard, or just the top? I'm curious. I've had a dashmat on the top of mine since Day One, so it could be much worse than it is. What broke on mine is the funky little hinge thingies that the glove box door rides on. So as I now drive a truck that looks like it has a serious overbite inside, I am trying to decide if I want to fix it with piano hinge or replace the entire dash.



So, I am also curious. Just maybe not about the same thing.

 

[Bunyan]

Just my . 02, but I think a company out there would look into producing, bolt in replacement dash parts made of metal, like the old days. If I had access to a sheetmetal shop, I would make my own. Bunyan

 

[Matt42]

The idea of sheet metal replacements sounds really good until the thought of unintended consequences comes up. In an accident, sheet metal parts become slicing instruments that can literally remove the upper part of a person's head. It's OK if we make our own metal dashboard parts, but someone who sells them commercially will be out of business fast.

I am old enough to remember accident scenes in which exactly that happened, the top of a head was cut off by the metal dash board. Some of the worst were early so-called padded dash boards, where there was a piece of serrated steel inside the padded vinyl to keep it from sagging. A body hitting it would compress the pad and the knife-like steel part would do horrible things to the person.

Plastic on dash boards is not just to reduce weight and save costs.

 

[DavidC]

Plastic slashes pretty well itself. Think about it, a nice piece of busted up plastic heading for your throat.



Dave

 

[Matt42]

Plastic slashes pretty well itself. Think about it, a nice piece of busted up plastic heading for your throat.



Dave

No doubt about it. Plastic can cause bad injury. It depends on the type of plastic, though. Some types shatter, some bend, some deform, some cushion.

 

[stumphumper]

I have seen a complete car made of wood... gee I wonder if I can make me a new dash out of wood?https://www.turbodieselregister.com/images/smilies/hihi.gif

 

[Bunyan]

Dashes were made from sheetmetal for years. There would'nt be sharp exposed edges. I would construct the replacement with a heavy gauge sheetmetal that would be as safe or safer than the plastic.

 

[mroidt]

Guys Genos has replacement dashes , this link does not show color

but the catalog does. I bet if you call them they'll fix you right up.

I've got one on my bench right now. 1 800 755 1715

Biggest problem I had was getting the right color!!!!!



DODGE RAM REPLACEMENT DASHBOARD ('98-'02) 2500/3500-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage