Can a cracked dash be repaired

[tg240sx]

I have a 90 S13 that came with a crack in the dash. Does any one have any experiance repairing this or will I need to replace the dash.

[AZhitman]

I have seen molded dash tops that fit over the upper dash, but they're likely not made for 240's.

I think you'd be better off finding a wrecked one with a good dash.

Welcome to NICO, and I'm sure someone will help you find one - Be sure to check our Buy/Sell/Trade forum (al of it) for people parting out S13's.

[[Zero-S]]

I'm still waiting for that dude on the general section to see if he can get those CF ones made. I'll volunteer my dash for the mold if he needs me to, jeez...

[nomuken]

if you find a dash in good condition at a junk yard, what should you do with the VIN located on the dash?

[[Zero-S]]

Pull it out, and have your old one riveted on to the new dash?

[nomuken]

Quote »Pull it out, and have your old one riveted on to the new dash?[/quote]

that may be illegal

[AZhitman]

Actually, i THINK the VIN tag is attached to the metal cowl framing that the dash attaches to - part of the car's unibody frame.

When you pull the dash, the vin plate stays attached to the car.

[Toahk]

^ you sure? ive always wondered about the vin too.

[tg240sx]

How would I remove the dash. Would this be oitlined in a service manual.

[[Zero-S]]

Just unbolt everything? Its a no-brainer...

And I don't see how keeping the vin that was intended for your car and is stamped in your engine bay would be illegal but ok. I guess if you took it to the dealer and got *** raped for it it'd be legal then as long as you don't diy:rolleyes.

[AZhitman]

Here's a good example of what i have always believed:

If you don't OWN a factory service manual for your car, you should not be allowed to continue to drive it.

Check the FSM - That's a better authority than anyone on this board.

p.s. AunVoh is parting out an S-13 in Buy/Sell/Trade.

[tg240sx]

I agree. FSM located on Ebay and ordered. This has been a real fun car but like most people I can't afford dopey (and costly) mistakes. Thanks for the good advice.

[prigo]

I got a dash in my other S13, should be fine still, but the gauge covers (the plastic) and gauge pod was damaged badly when I crashed

Email me if you wanna talk: [email protected]

[C-Kwik]

I work at an insurance company and according to a company we refer customers to for vandalism/partial theft claims, it's not recommended to try and put in a different dash unless the car is very new and so is the dash. Their explanation is that it may be hard to fit since over time, the dash flexes and doesn't exactly fit perfectly. The car itself can also change some. Tey recommend a repair. So yes, a dash can be repaired. I've never seen the results though so I'm not sure how well the texture might match.

[tg240sx]

Repairing would by the most practical solution. I can talk to intrerior repair shops locally. Lots of sun here and probably a lot a satisfactory solutions that I'm not familiar with yet, other than ripping the car apart because I feel like being anal.

[LiU]

hmm i replaced the dash on my 96 240... the shop did not want to switch VIN tags (it are on the dash, not the framing)... what I did was have a copy of a receipt of the dash switch in my car at all times and have copies of my real VIN tag w/ me... that way I can present evidence that this is not stolen, ETC...

[tg240sx]

Switching the vin tag should be easy and it would prevent a lot of confusion. If your old tag is mounted identicaly to the new dash there shouldnt be any question or additional info needed.

[TurboKA37]

I'm still waiting for that dude on the general section to see if he can get those CF ones made. I'll volunteer my dash for the mold if he needs me to, jeez...

u talking about my CF dash idea? if so i wasnt talking about the whole dash, just around the radio and a/c unit and CF replacements for the carpet on the door panels. after doing some more research on the cf process i dont think im going to procced with this because it is a very difficult process and there is too much room for error in which i would lose money.