Dash Swap

[Con-Man]

Okay everyone,
I'm thinking about doing a dash swap. I want to swap the dash so it will match the interior. I've done my research and I've found some say it was difficult and other say it was not that bad. I need to know what am I about to get myself into. I have the Chilton manual they make it look like it's not that bad. I don't trust them they have set me up before. The dash is coming out of a 95 Se and going into a 95 Gl. What type of little things do I need to know to make this swap a smooth one. If it is going to be tough don't hold back give me a reason not to do this so I can ride my motorcycle tomorrow.

 

[Nezerconezer]

Unless your dash is in really bad shape don't do it. Way to much work. But your pry going to do it anyway.
Here a few tips:
Quadruple check you have all the wiring undone before you remove the dash. Shorts are not fun to find in all that mess.
Be carefull with the black plastic trim, its poor quality,it cracks easy,and those lame clips break all the time, grab some more off of a donor car.
Installing and removing the dash is a job for 2 get some help.
Give your self plenty of time. If its you only car take a few days off along with the week end just incase.

I had to rush threw mine and now I have to do it all over again becouse the stupid SOB who sent it to me didnt send me a airbag cover, and there no way to install it after the dash is in place.

 

[LGR Mystique]

when you finish your dash can you please post an how-to and pics if you can. I want to remove my dash to paint it.Thanks

 

[clcell2]

Clcell

Clcell

I painted my dash in-place. Not too hard - posterboard and blue painter's tape for the front windshield, remove black plastic over steering column (easy), remove glove compartment (easy) and paint it separately, then newspaper, posterboard, and blue painter tape everywhere to protect from overspray.

Took a bit of time, but not too bad. Just be sure to paint vents evenly, and to spray the area at the front of the dash near the front windshield with several coats as it is hard to see with the front windsheld covered.

A good auto paint store should be able to custom mix some spray paint for you if the standard paint colors (made by SEM/others) aren't to your liking.

Surface prep is critical to a good dash paint job - again, a good auto paint store can help - special solvents are required to remove old Armor-All/whatever prior to painting.

Bottom-line - much harder to remove the dash than it is to paint it in place (consider removing both front seats to give yourself some work area - that too is not too hard or time consuming).

Good luck.