Dash replacement

[cm cows]

Well my dash finally broke last year and it wasn't real bad but I have the time to replace it with the broke foot so I ordered one from lmc as well as a dash bezel. These are the full replacements and not the covers. The fit is just like factory and the color match was dang near perfect.
Now to the job. The removal of the dash itself is a real pain in the a$$. Took me about 2.5 hrs and the screws on the front of dash had to be cut out. The air bag had to be removed but its not hard. Mostly the dash will come out in pieces. Putting the dash back in is a two person job from my one footed experience. Once you get it put in place start at the front with the five screws and be sure not to over tighten them and strip them out. The rest is easy putting the dash back together and putting the air bag in, don't forget to reconnect the air bag! After all the screws got put back in the fit on the dash and bezel is top notch and looks factory. I realize the lmc isn't a sponsor on this board but they have nice products from my experience.
I know this is kinda low tech and self explanatory but I never could find much when searching. Hopefully this one last for a long time!

 

[Chrisd91]

There's a really good writeup somewhere on CF, I'm sure I have the link bookmarked somewhere , I just don't remember where lol

 

[Ltk]

may i ask where you got that steering wheel cover? the leather is starting to wear thin on my steering wheel, and my truck is red, would be perfect

 

[dieselracer07]

We've pulled the dash out of my truck so many times that we have it down to a science. We pull it as one whole piece. Can have the whole thing out in less than 30 minutes.

Sent from my paperweight

 

[bwdt]

Wow, thirty minutes.... I have to replace my dash frame and my dash pad. I would sure like to know how to pull it out in thirty minutes. I will have all of the seats out of the truck along with the carpet as I am planning on insulating it and replacing the heater core and evaporator at the same time. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[dieselracer07]

Wow, thirty minutes.... I have to replace my dash frame and my dash pad. I would sure like to know how to pull it out in thirty minutes. I will have all of the seats out of the truck along with the carpet as I am planning on insulating it and replacing the heater core and evaporator at the same time. Any suggestions would be great!

When you're ready to remove it just shoot me a PM with your #. I can walk you thru it.

Sent from my paperweight

 

[cm cows]

the steering wheel cover was in the pickup when I baught it back in 05 and I figure its a walmart special.

how did you get the dash out that fast? the biggest hang up was the screws by the windsheild that you cant really get to. how did you get them out and put them back in? i just left them un attached, advise would be appreicated for the next time!

 

[Mark Nixon]

Wow, thirty minutes.... I have to replace my dash frame and my dash pad. I would sure like to know how to pull it out in thirty minutes. I will have all of the seats out of the truck along with the carpet as I am planning on insulating it and replacing the heater core and evaporator at the same time. Any suggestions would be great!

30 minutes is a piece of cake!
Can't tall you how many I have pulled apart in yards, only to miss the fine crack(s) shooting off the vents (most sun-vulnerable and thinnest area) that are the beginnings of the end for these things.
Anymore, if I see a "good" dash top in a yard, I gently tug at the defrost vent corners, if it breaks right there, the work is done.

Mark.

 

[dieselracer07]

The only part that takes anytime is making sure you unplugged everything and didn't miss any ground wires.
This will be your best friend during the job

Sent from my paperweight

 

[dieselracer07]

Also, if you're going thru the trouble of pulling the dash, definitely put a new heater core and evaporator in whether you think it needs it or not!!! It would be a shame to have to pull it again a month down the Rd because it started leaking.....

Sent from my paperweight

 

[bwdt]

Found a new dash frame for 627.00, very tempted. It's a new part number and suppose to be less prone to cracking. I will use a LMC top and put in a new heater core and evaporator along with new insulation in the whole cab. Three dodges, three cracked dashes........ones an 03.

The sad part is I'm doing this at the same time that I'm rebuilding the engine due to..........a cracked 53 block. Dodge loves to make things that crack! So this will be my last Dodge and I hope to drive it till there are no more vehicles that run on fuel!

could you pm me your number, and I'll call you when I'm ready.

Thanks.