Dash replacement

[MarkEkberg]

I have the obnoxious cracked dash in a zillion places. Bought a new used one from a yard for 75 bucks and just painted it this weekend to match.

I also have the recall to do for the airbags. Any chance Dodge will replace the dash for free when they replace the airbags?

 

[DavidC]

HA!!!!!!. When I replaced mine it was 8-10hrs. You can always ask but be prepared for comedy central.

Dave

 

[ranger 393]

I have a friend that works for the Border Patrol, he said they allow 2 days to pull dash and put back. He said it is a big job.

 

[Ozymandias]

So it is, been there done that.

 

[Bob4x4]

The airbag only requires a small amount of disassembly not a dash removal..The recall can be done in 20 minutes after doing a few(hundred)

 

[Tesoro]

I have bought n sold a few 03's with the bad plastic. I got replacements from ginos garage. some company in fla makes them i think. anyhow modern quality plastic and perfect fit. my body man replaced it in 6 hrs. best to use body guys as they are much more used to doing that stuff than mechanics.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have bought n sold a few 03's with the bad plastic. I got replacements from ginos garage. some company in fla makes them i think. anyhow modern quality plastic and perfect fit. my body man replaced it in 6 hrs. best to use body guys as they are much more used to doing that stuff than mechanics.

That may or may not be true. Dealers are in the dash more than body shops,that is indisputable. If you want to call a guy that works at a tire store a mechanic,that may hold some water

 

[Tesoro]

yes and no..I would say generally mechanics are more accustomed to removing parts of dashes to access stuff to repair.,,,Body shops hack shop places are more used to removing entire dashes scabbing together salvage title rigs etc..Well I guess it depends on what you need done....when I had my last dash changed out on an 03 the body shop charged me 180 bucks. Wonder what a dealership would charge?!! 500+$?

 

[Bob4x4]

Body shops have about half the labor rate as most auto shops to match skill sets required.

 

[garyp285]

It took me two days working 5 hours a day to do mine, and I replaced all the foam in the outlets, and taped the slip joints in the ducts. The three screws that come from underneath beside each vent were left out and I put a big glob of silicone on each mount tab. It did great, and no rattles.
The local Ram dealer wanted $1000 labor so that was a good incentive to DIY, after I paid $900 for parts.

 

[DonFitzwater]

On a truck that vintage.......I’d seriously consider doing the heater and evaporator core at the same time....as well as any of the internal hvac doors that are prone to breaking.

 

[MarkEkberg]

On a truck that vintage.......I’d seriously consider doing the heater and evaporator core at the same time....as well as any of the internal hvac doors that are prone to breaking.

Planned on that. Dealer Said no.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Do it yourself. That way you know it’s done right......unless you are lucky and have a good dealer service department.

 

[garyp285]

The whole dash does not have to come out to do just the dash, but I wish I had done it when I did the blend doors with it out.