2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dash Replacement...Finally

[StephenDelany]

Finally got around to replacing my entire factory plastic "Crack-O-Matic" dash yesterday. This job is a major undertaking and required approx. 8-10 hours of work. It would be great if you could just pull the old shattered one out and bolt the new part in place, but no way!



You have to hinge or pivot the entire dash, instrument cluster, ductwork, etc. down towards the seats to get at the 14 self-tapping screws that you can't see that are under and along the forward edge of the plastic part where the vents and dash frames are located. The dash pivots from a bolt on each side of the cabin at the kick-panels. Yes, the steering column has to come completely out of the truck (actually one of the easier parts of the job).



I "Customized" my dash part before installation by layering the underside of it with 2 to 3 layers of the roofing repair "tar & foil" roll stuff that someone else mentioned in the posts as a cheap sound insulating material for sheet metal. It worked THE NUTS! I can't remember who the guy was but it was a great tip. . and really cheap!



If you wan to see pictures of this major interior surgery let me know. I took some digital shots during the job but I don't know how to post them to a forum thread. The end result was really worth it. The 6 year old Beast still looks great!

 

[Kwoolley]

Since you were that far into it, did you replace the heater core? Haven't done one myself, but I've read about headaches. Just curious.



Kevin

 

[Demons_Ram]

FF, I'd like to see the photos. Do you have them posted to a website? Also the roofing tar deal, is it something that would drip down in hot weather with the cab closed up?

 

[StephenDelany]

I'll try to post pictures sometime this weekend. I have not done it before, but there's a first time for everything. .

That roof repair tar & foil stuff had some WICKED adhesive to it. I too was concerned that it would heat-up and drop off, but I'm feeling a bit better about it now. It might still do it, but I don't think it would hurt anything back there anyways.