Cracked Dash

[ScottRoberts]

My dash cracked on Tuesday or Wednesday and I just got back from the dealer asking about prices. It's the piece that runs on top of the guages, not the piece that covers the speakers. I was caught a little off guard to say the least. Close to a thousand before tax. $450+ for the labor alone. That doesn't sound quiet right to me, but then again, I've never had to remove or replace this. So I was looking for a good website to find a replacement, or at least see if the price they gave me was reasonable. I did a search for "cracked dash" and "dash cracks" to no avail. Surely it's not too hard to replace myself, suggestions?

 

[Grizzly]

There was a long thread on cracked dash a few months ago, do another search. There was also some talk about getting chrysler to do a recall on this. Maybe all you need is a dash mat. Good luck.

 

[rbattelle]

I don't think that top piece is individually replaceable, so the price you were quoted was probably for a rather large portion of the dash.

Can you post a picture of the crack? Maybe it can be repaired...

Ryan

 

[betterthanstock]

Cover it in leather, or vinyl.

 

[Crunch]

My dash cracked on Tuesday or Wednesday and I just got back from the dealer asking about prices. It's the piece that runs on top of the guages, not the piece that covers the speakers. I was caught a little off guard to say the least. Close to a thousand before tax. $450+ for the labor alone. That doesn't sound quiet right to me, but then again, I've never had to remove or replace this. So I was looking for a good website to find a replacement, or at least see if the price they gave me was reasonable. I did a search for "cracked dash" and "dash cracks" to no avail. Surely it's not too hard to replace myself, suggestions?

One of the first things I bought to protect my truck was a Dash Mat ($30) and a folding windshield screen ($6). I also try to park out of the sun whenever possible. My dash still looks new and the interior has also held up very well. I'm told one other thing to do to avoid problems with the interior surfaces is to not use Armor All on your truck. It seems to suck out all the oils and protectants that are in the plastic. I use a bucket of water with a dish soap like Dawn or Joy in it.

 

[ScottRoberts]

Well, I appreciate the suggestions, but hiding it with a mat is pretty much not an option. rbattelle, I don't have a camera, but I don't really think it's repairable. And I hope this doesn't happen to you guys too, because my dash looked like new as well until Wednesday afternoon. This literally happened in a 6 hour period while the truck was parked.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I think they're way off their rocker on the labor cost. I've had my dash apart a couple time for gauge installs. Unless I'm thinking the wrong part, my extremely meager abilities could have the whole thing... . factory gauge cover and everything, out and back in, in less than an hour.

Would a dashmat cover it? I love mine. Light gray cover to cool off the dark interior.

 

[Crunch]

Well, I appreciate the suggestions, but hiding it with a mat is pretty much not an option. rbattelle, I don't have a camera, but I don't really think it's repairable. And I hope this doesn't happen to you guys too, because my dash looked like new as well until Wednesday afternoon. This literally happened in a 6 hour period while the truck was parked.

A dash mat is a prevention item. I got mine because every vehicle I ever owned before this truck had a cracked dash. It's also one of those things that ticks me off about vehicle quality. I guess the "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" stuff my dad drilled into my head when I was a kid finally took root. If you plan is to cover it up then just about anything will work. If you want it repaired and the dealer is asking too much, consider a salvage yard. I'm sure there have been enough 3rd Gens crashed and worn out since `03 that there is no shortage of dash pieces available a lot cheaper than what the dealer charges.

 

[ScottRoberts]

I agree that a mat is a prevention piece, had I used one 4 1/2 years ago when I bought the truck, but it doesn't do much to solve my current problem is all I was saying. Cattletrkr, I agree on the labor. I would expect it to take someone like myself 5-6(service tech has it at 6) hrs to replace this thing, not a tech with a manual, and who has likely disassembled the dash before. I checked my invoice for when they replace the blender door in March, which requires pretty serious disassembly of the dash from what I've read on here, and recharging of the A/C and it was billed at 4. 8 hrs. This doesn't make sense to me, even though it is two different areas of the dash. The dealer offered 10% off the $422 for the piece and I found one online for around $340. I figure I'll take a stab at replacing it, and if absolutely necessary, take it to the dealer.