2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission cracked dash

[telliott]

just wondering if anyone else had this problem and if there is a cheap fix rather than replacing the dash. I have a few cracks on the top of my dash, back where it meets the windshield. they're not really noticable from inside the cab, but from outside looking in, the are obvious. i was thinking maybe fill them with RTV or something similar and paint over it with the factory dash color?

 

[Dave M]

I have the cracked dsah in the middle and it just recently became worse. I was thinking of adding a dash cover from geno's. What have you others done to fix the cracked dash?

 

[KKohagen]

Welcome to the CTDCDC. My cracked dash started as a small crack coming from the windshield towards the steering wheel. Now within the las 6 months there is hardly an area larger than 6" without a crack or two. Even have a few A/C holes, . I have decided to just replace the dash and then get a dashmat to protect the new one.



Good luck, let us know if the RTV and paint helps.

 

[kglenn]

Had the same problem on my daughters 01. I ordered the Dashtop from Geno,s and am very happy with the results. Easy to put on and no one even knows it on there. It,s alot better than taking the dash apart whitch usually results in a squeaking dash, not to mention it will probly just crack again. You might have to paint it to match depending on what color interior you have, but they carry the factory mopar colors also.

 

[McLaughlin]

My 97 dash cracked and I put a molded Coverking(?) from Geno's over the dash. Fit was good and I like it better then I expected since I'm normally not a dash cover kind of guy. Cut down on the glare from the dash too.

 

[arthr31]

hey all...

this week i went out to start up and found a 8" crack i my dash from right about the steering wheel to the dashboard. Just suddenly appeared, a one not so fine morning (i'm pretty particular about the truck ya know... )



I also have the molded wood inlay on the front of the dash. Has anyone installed the dash king cover from Geno's with this other add on installed? How did it fit.



Will the cracking get worse? Seems from a previous poster, it just might. If i go the route of a new dash, is it a: expensive, b: difficult to replace?



Thanks for the input... It's looking ratty in the truck with this big crack ...

 

[Parish]

I have 3 cracks from windshield to seats. Probably going with a molded cover. You would think that Dodge would have a recall with so many cracked!





01'2500 4x4, Edge Comp, triple pod boost, EGT, fuel gauges, 4" exhaust, S&B air intake, more to come.

 

[scotmartin]

I have 3 cracks from windshield to seats. Probably going with a molded cover. You would think that Dodge would have a recall with so many cracked!

You make the assumption that they did not know that it would happen. I am sure that they knew that the type of polymer they chose was the cheapest one possible that still would make it through the warranty period. Kinda makes you wish you could put a Cummins in something else... cough cough... Toyota... cough

 

[arthr31]

what's the impact or potential problem with just installing the dash cover? Does anyone know if the dash cracks will continue to happen and eventually the whole thing is just a mass of splinters?



cummins in a toyota? thats nutty LOL

 

[Jeff Knight]

my dash is also cracked. I have the dash pod with gauges. I wonder if you can cut the covers to go around the gauge pod? Jeff

 

[twiisted71]

I have the Genos molded carpet in light gray to match my floor carpet. It fits very well, cuts down on the glare from the dash on the glass and as a huge added bonus it cuts down on interior temps a lot in the summer time. my dash even went so far as to crack the bezel around the gauges!! If all you have are a few cracks and not huge gaping areas that have completeley fallen out the fabric covering should do fine.

 

[McLaughlin]

hey all...

this week i went out to start up and found a 8" crack i my dash from right about the steering wheel to the dashboard. Just suddenly appeared, a one not so fine morning (i'm pretty particular about the truck ya know... )



I also have the molded wood inlay on the front of the dash. Has anyone installed the dash king cover from Geno's with this other add on installed? How did it fit.



Will the cracking get worse? Seems from a previous poster, it just might. If i go the route of a new dash, is it a: expensive, b: difficult to replace?



Thanks for the input... It's looking ratty in the truck with this big crack ...

Thats how the cracks in my dash appeared, all three, but they were smaller. May have had something to do with the A pillar gauge mounts I installed. Anyhow, installed the molded cover and last time I looked the cracks didn't look any worse then before.

 

[CEbbert]

a common reason for the cracked dash is the use of ARMORALL. once you use it the dash or whatever you use it on becomes "addicted" to it, so unless you armorall it weekly it is bound to happen. my suggest is to go with genos.

 

[Rattler]

Mine did it to. I guess a dash cover will be on my list of things to do. Randy

 

[arthr31]

the armorall thing, that's interesting. that statement is based on what research? i'm not trying to argue here, but i used the armoreall stuff starting late last winter and here i am with a mega crack. . the crack is more than that, it's a full on breakage... do you think the amorall spam did this? kinda crazy if it did...

 

[JWaters]

I put a dash cover off ebay on mine and it bolts down like the factory one. Goes over top and looks very good and fits very well. My craks are hidden and the new hard dash looks like it came in there!! For a 109 bucks you cant beat it!!!

 

[CEbbert]

the armorall thing is something that i have learned through the years from taking detailing courses. i don't know what is in it that causes that but i do know like i said the dash gets saturated so well then dries out so fast and causes cracks

 

[DavidC]

the armorall thing, that's interesting. that statement is based on what research? i'm not trying to argue here, but i used the armoreall stuff starting late last winter and here i am with a mega crack. . the crack is more than that, it's a full on breakage... do you think the amorall spam did this? kinda crazy if it did...

Alot of people either do not remember, do not know, or were not born yet. Somewhere in the late 70's early 80's Chrysler warned about Armorall drying out plastic and vinyl causing cracking. At the time they recommended using silicone. I was using food grade silicone for a long time with no ill effects and since then 303 protectant has come out. I have had no problems with the 303 to date or the original vinyl top on the 70 road runner. So I have 30 + years of testing with no cracking so far for what it is worth. I have also had a dash cover on my 99 since new as the ambient temperature here in the summer can be as high as 118-122 normally. I never measured the dash temp thru the wind shield with an oven thermometer :-laf



Dave