US built '99 - perfect dash - are they better?

[VFabricius]

I just bought this truck from original owner and was shocked to see dash in perfect shape as is rest of truck except for ocassional 2nd to 3rd shift grind if I don't slow the shift down to allow synchro to catch up. Did they use different dash supplier for US models? I just saw an article on a Canadian automotive plastics supplier who was a gazilionaire driving his new multimillion dollar Bugatti Chiron around like he stole it. Why do we let these companies manufacture crap without consequences? What is the best dash cover you recomend, by the way. Couldn't find any reference to crumbling dashes in a search. wtf.

 

[BigPapa]

Was the truck garage kept or has he already replaced the dash, by chance? The ONLY ‘98-‘02’s I’ve seen that the dash wasn’t falling apart lived their lives in a garage.

Are you wanting to cover your good dash to prevent cracking or wanting to know what to replace a crumbling dash with?

-Scott

 

[Tractorat]

My 02 was built in mexico. It has never seen the inside of a garage. Of course I liive in washington where we dont get the sun beating down at 118 degrees every day, but weve had some hot summers. I also made about 13 trips down to southern utah and southern arizona spending a week there each time, as well as several trips to the mid west in the hot of the summer.
My dash still looks brand new.

 

[fest3er]

My 98's dash looked great until I removed it to replace the evap. Then it fell apart.

At this age, if you have to remove it for any reason, wait until you can source a replacement. IMHO.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Two US Made 98’s I owned now are at 400k with perfect dashes. Current 01 130k looks good but Mex built.

 

[Tractorat]

At this age, if you have to remove it for any reason, wait until you can source a replacement. IMHO.

That is a very good point. Now, I dont know of any reason I may have to remove the dash in the near future. But do you know of any quick and easy check (besides sticking your finger thru it) to test for potential crumbling ? Tapping it with a screwdriver fot instance ?

 

[petersonj]

My dash has built-in stress relief cracks from the factory. I know they are working because they are getting bigger.

- John

 

[DavidC]

My 99 cracked on drivers side by the defrost vent at about 60k. Ordered a replacement from Genos. Bought some Sem sand free and a spray can of Agate paint. Took about 2-3 days including the paint and dry time. Now the instrument bezel is cracked in 2 places . I think it has been removed 3 times in 20 years. The truck was kept in the garage with a dash mat since new. It was built in Mexico.

 

[petersonj]

Now the instrument bezel is cracked in 2 places

Mine instrument bezel has chunks broken from it. I have to be very careful when cleaning the instrument panel lens for fear of breaking off more chunks.

I thought the dash would break up badly when I replaced my heater core last winter, but it actually fared much better than I thought it would. I bought a dash cover for it which has worked out well.

- John

 

[DonFitzwater]

I thought cracking dashboards were a trademark of Chrysler? My dads Rams, Moms diplomat, my last 2001...........but my 86 w150 is perfect! No heat in Alaska to kill it I suppose!

 

[DavidC]

Mine instrument bezel has chunks broken from it. I have to be very careful when cleaning the instrument panel lens for fear of breaking off more chunks.

I thought the dash would break up badly when I replaced my heater core last winter, but it actually fared much better than I thought it would. I bought a dash cover for it which has worked out well.

- John

Genos has a replacement, a little pricey tho
https://www.genosgarage.com/product...ezel-68042746/dash-instrument-cluster-overlay

 

[Joe Mc]

My 99 has sat outside all its life and 4 years back I had to replace the evap and heater core (2 heater cores due to defective first "new" from Dodge ARGH!!!). Last fall it developed a small crack from the right most securing screw towards the little defrost vent, I crazy glued it and all was fine till one day about a month back I closed the driver door and heard a "crack", now a full crack to the opening of the little vent. Probably replace it this summer. FWIW: I "never" put any shine junk or other type treatment on it, always just wiped it with a moist cloth.

 

[Terry]

The dash on my U.S. built 99 is perfect, but so is the rest of the truck. It sits in the garage anytime I’m not driving it and only has 86k on it so far.

 

[petersonj]

The dash on my U.S. built 99 is perfect,

I think you should give it a good smack and get it over with.

- John

 

[VFabricius]

Was the truck garage kept or has he already replaced the dash, by chance? The ONLY ‘98-‘02’s I’ve seen that the dash wasn’t falling apart lived their lives in a garage.

Are you wanting to cover your good dash to prevent cracking or wanting to know what to replace a crumbling dash with?

-Scott[/QUOte

Finally got in touch with original owner and said he did an overlay which I've never knew existed for dashes. After looking at tthe dash more closely, I see it looks like he insttalled an overlay which was so well done, you don't realize it. OO wan't quite sure as it was 5 years ago, he tthinks. There is sort of an indication when you open the door and look below the vent where the overlay stops. The graining of the overlay looks a little more defined than the original and there's a cap screw on the lower side of the dash which appears to "fasten" the side of overlay to the original?

But i was also wondering if I should buy a carpeted dash protector? and what is the best one?

 

[Joe Mc]

I think you should give it a good smack and get it over with.

- John

LMAO ROF too funny. Thanks for the laugh!!!

Vfab, I know Geno's sells the carpeted overlay but, MHO is, those things just look ho-key... But they do cover up the massive cracks I've seen on some 2nd gens.

 

[Regcabguy]

I've rugged up both on my 24v's with a Dashmat Ultimat. Zero cracks with either. This is in Southern California sun constantly.

 

[chazj]

I've rugged up both on my 24v's with a Dashmat Ultimat. Zero cracks with either. This is in Southern California sun constantly.

I wish I was as lucky in Northern California. Also had the same dash mat on my truck within the first month of my new purchase in 2002. Still cracked.
Have used clear silicone to " glue " the cracks and help them from increasing in size.
So far...so good.