[Andrew Wenzel]

Hello, I completely ripped out my dash because it was all broken up, but I found a parts truck with a perfect dash and bezel for $80. Am I better off trying to remove the dash from the parts truck or ordering once from LMC for $280? Thanks

 

[greed]

If you get the one out of the parts truck, you have the same cheap plastic as the original. Genos Garage has one that has good reviews. Also, give Dash Covers Plus in Florida a call.Their dash is more money, but sounds like it is very good quality. I couldn't find any reviews on it. It is made in the US.

 

[bigfish95971]

Bur the new one from LMC, the plastic is not hared and brittle like the parts truck one if affordable.. 20 years old in a truck is waiting for an excuse to crack when moved.

 

[NCC74656]

so i swapped my dash from anotehr truck, i will say this. make sure you have a die grinder/epoxy/and some way to strengthen the factory dash. what i did was bevel all the cracks, epoxy across them to add support and then fiberglassed hte under side to add strength. up top most all the cracks were not visable after glueingn the back but some i had to sand/resin/bondo/re appily texture, then paint.

was way cheaper htan buying a new dash but it did take more time

 

[seanb02]

My opinion is not to bother with a parts truck dash. Reason being my original one was perfect, until I removed it to access the HVAC unit, then after reinstallation within a few months it started to crack. Within a year had a massive chunk fall out of it. Upgraded to the LMC replacement dash top and bezel, also added a dash mat carpet protector and no issues since. It has been probably 5 years since I changed the top out.

Also fit and color match of the LMC stuff was perfect.

 

[Junkman]

The frame under my replaced dash has started to crack to the point of being held together Probably temporarily by the replacement dash. I would buy the LMC dash and grab the parts truck dash so something cam be built for the future. We are starting to hear that all of the dash plastic falls apart. I need to do something about the bezel. I mistakenly bought a bezel cover and it won't work because the tabs that holt the top to the dash are MIA. I'm close to selling.

Perhaps I'll put a 12 valve in an old Ford. x*?* Dodge

 

[Monstermaker]

If there were some reason you were the only guy with an old Dodge with a brittle and cracking-apart dash, I’d say put the parts truck dash in. Normally OEM is preferable.
BUT, almost everyone has this issue. I have a super choice relatively low mile truck and mine is cracking all apart.
Don’t waste your time installing another 20-ish year old Dodge dash, it’s gonna be the same thing. Get the new one. In this case aftermarket is better.

I know what you mean about being close to selling the freekin’ Dodge.
I wanted to put a 12-valve in my ‘86 GMC dually but I took the easy way and bought the Dodge... and it hasn’t been the easy way!! Nothing but trouble. And these things are supposedly reliable... not!!!

 

[Junkman]

I wasn't talking about installing the dash top ONLY. I was suggesting getting the entire dash while he has one located because he may need the frame in the future. I never turn down parts that I'm likely to need in the not too distant future. Grab anything dash related because the crap breaks.

I don't want to hear "what do you expect from a 20 yr old vehicle" etc. I've driven lots of old stuff and all have stayed fixed once new parts were installed. These trucks were garbage with a beautiful engine capable of moving a bus installed.

 

[cruzincummins]

i put in a mint dash with no cracks that sat in some guys yard thru rain shine and mud i installed it about a year ago and no cracks yet since ive installed it ive took it out about three times and (fingers crossed) its still holding up my truck sits in the florida sun no windshield tint or nothing. i bought it complete since my old dash frame was cracked past repair. however i doubt it is an OEM dash top since there is no spot for a vin plate on it. as long as the dash frame isnt cracked go for it a dash top is easier to come by than an entire dash. id say buy the dash and the Genos dash top just incase the OEM dash top does crack.

 

[bigfish95971]

There are dash covers that help with sun, but there is still heat. There are also liquid products with polymers that may help keep from "drying" and cracking if used regularly.

 

[duncan1]

I heard good things about Genos. It comes with a lifetime warranty.