2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission cracked dash

[CBeard]

Just the other day I noticed a crack in my dash from the defrost vent toward the interior of the truck. Two days later another crack started on the pass. side from the window toward the interior of the truck. Today another crack drivers side toward the steering wheel. Did a search and found that many TDR members are having the same problem. However no one has determined a cause of this problem. I believe it to be defective material. Any Thoughts

 

[JWaters]

yea get a dash cover off of ebay it is plastic and looks stock. 109 bucks and easy to install

 

[litespeed]

yea get a dash cover off of ebay it is plastic and looks stock. 109 bucks and easy to install

My dad has an O1 2500 QC. Same problem.....



It finally cracked to the point that it was falling out of the truck. No dash cover in the world would have fixed the problem (especially when your gauge cluster winds up in your lap). Unless I took it out, used some sort of epoxy to fix all the cracks, re-installed and then covered it. But then with the time and cost involved... ... ... You could have replaced the whole dash.



It is a problem... ... :-{} Mine is already cracking too. I figure I may have 6 months before I need a replacement. I only have 57,000 miles on mine so it is kind of a let down.



I know he had his fixed at the dealer $$$$$. I'll see if I can find out how much they charged so we can get some sort of baseline.



I'm curious to hear other members input on this.



I figure that down here it is because of the amount of sun (UV radiation)?



AJ

 

[CBeard]

From what I have read on the TDR the sun is not necessarly the cause of the cracking. I called Dodge today and they started a file for me. However they told me I needed to take my truck to the local dealer before they would offer any help. I believe when you search a website like the TDR and see a vast amount of owners complaining about the same issue then the manufacturer needs to take a look at the problem.

 

[TX DUCKHUNTER]

Mine started cracking a few years ago..... about to cave-in on itself now. Took the truck in to get a headlight wire fixed last week and dealer quoted $450 for the dash and 8 hours to install..... around $1K drive-out. Can't believe it myself, but I won't be spending that kind of change on a dash for a 6 year-old truck.

 

[JApol]

That cracked dash is why I now have a CTD. My 02 gasser 3/4 ton had a crack that went from the defrost vent straight out to the front edge. about an inch from the edge it started going up and over the instrument cluster.

I did some looking and didn't feel like messing with it and traded it in on an 05 CTD.

 

[Demons_Ram]

Just the other day I noticed a crack in my dash from the defrost vent toward the interior of the truck. Two days later another crack started on the pass. side from the window toward the interior of the truck. Today another crack drivers side toward the steering wheel. Did a search and found that many TDR members are having the same problem. However no one has determined a cause of this problem. I believe it to be defective material. Any Thoughts

Mine cracked last spring, the outside temperature was around 80 degrees and I had the AC on low. I was on a smooth road (so no body flex), and heard a noise that sounded like a rock hit the windshield. At first I didn't even realize what had happed until I saw the crack later. Since then though the dash has cracked all over the place.

The problem has to either be substandard plastic, (maybe air bubbles in the casting?) or some type of stress on the dash panel from the body or support mounts. So, you guys are telling me that Dodge has offered no assistance on this?

 

[RDelissen]

mine is cracked on the pass side and also on the driverside ... and that one came in handy when I had to replace the head light switch recently -> I didn't have to remove the whole dash :-laf

 

[WestTN]

What color are your dashes? My 2001 tan Dash is not cracked, but a friend who has a charcoal 2001 has several cracks.

 

[Megadesertdiesel]

the same thing happened to my 01 rc 4x4. i wheeled it alot. (it was a lease) at 40k miles the dealer replaced the whole dash i had to create a file through dodge before they did it but it didnt cost me anything. when the new dash was replaced the drivers and pass. ends had about 1/2" of rubber. must leave room for expansion, the original dash did not have this. good luck

 

[MKinner]

I personally think that the sun and heat together has everything to do with dashes cracking up. We have a fairly large fleet on base here and many of the vehicles just get ate up because of it. Dashes cracking apart, paint fading, and steering wheels that you can literally peel off of the metal inner core. When I first bought my truck with 7400 miles on it, the pass. side dash was turning a bit white from drying out. (bought it in greely CO) I have since used Lexol Vinylex and my dash looks just like brand new. I also use it on my tires as it keeps them from drying out and getting "dry rotted". It also has a cleaner in it. I spray it on my tires and let sit for a minute, the dirt literally runs off. I use it on all rubber, vinyl, or unpainted plastic like our lovely mirrors that might fade. The great thing besides protection about it is that it doesn't shine like that armor all crap. You know that haze you get on the inside of you windshield every so often? That would be the oils evaporating out of your dash and interior. That new car smell, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THAT IS PART OF YOUR VEHICLES EMISSIONS BEING RELEASED! Anyway, what the Vinylex does is replace the lost oils and conditions the rubber or vinyl being treated. When you smell it, it actually smells like liquid plastic. The down side, you have to start before the dash cracks. I love it, that stuff is like a miricle in a bottle. http://www.properautocare.com/vinrubcarpro.html
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[DESL PWR]

Has anyone tried stop drilling the crack? I know it would make an ugly little hole, but maybe it would stop the crack from going further. Perhaps save the dash from coming all the way apart?

 

[McLaughlin]

Never noticed cracks in my dash until last week. Got to wonder if installing an A piller gauge pod over the stock piller contributed.