I have a 98 Ram 2500 and the dash is cracked all over the place, from what I see it's pretty normal and I'd like to fix it. I've seen a bunch of those covers that go over the stock dash but only online, never seen one installed with my own eyes. Has anyone done this to their trucks?

I have large pieces of mine breaking out so I'd like to get it fixed soon or at least cover it up so it stopped rattling when I start it up. :D

Buy a cover...

or buy a Ford :flipoff2:

Buy a cover...

or buy a Ford :flipoff2:

I'd much rather deal with a broken dash than a blown head gasket. :flipoff2:

Got a (thin) hard plastic dash cover in mine. Can't even tell it isn't the factory dash...

Got a (thin) hard plastic dash cover in mine. Can't even tell it isn't the factory dash...

How does it attach to the stock dash? I have a few large chunks of mine missing, I'm wondering if I should file down the areas where the pieces are still touching before gluing something over it so they don't creek and crack while moving.

YEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

search craiglist for parting out dodges. i had to buy and black cluster cover this weekend for mine.
My dash has about 3 big holes the size of large coffie cans the rest is just cracked peices about 3 to 4 inchs in size. i dont think one of them glue in dashs well stick to all these peices. or it well just all fall in if i press on it. the dealer wanted $230 something fo the cluster cover and over $4 bill for the dash but it still the same crap they built them from the start.

Im trying to find them at one of the after market replacement places. That collision places use. I got a number for one in houston im going to call tommorow and see if they have them.

I'd much rather deal with a broken dash than a blown head gasket. :flipoff2:

My 7.3 doesnt have that problem :flipoff2::smokin:

Coverlay. Nice quality, just get it even underneath.
94-98.5 http://www.coverlaymfg.com/index.php?crn=208&rn=384&action=show_detail
98.5-01 http://www.coverlaymfg.com/index.php?crn=208&rn=385&action=show_detail

How does it attach to the stock dash? I have a few large chunks of mine missing, I'm wondering if I should file down the areas where the pieces are still touching before gluing something over it so they don't creek and crack while moving.


I don't know how bad yours is, but fill the cracks with silicone then use the included adhesive to glue the new one on.

YEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

search craiglist for parting out dodges. i had to buy and black cluster cover this weekend for mine.
My dash has about 3 big holes the size of large coffie cans the rest is just cracked peices about 3 to 4 inchs in size. i dont think one of them glue in dashs well stick to all these peices. or it well just all fall in if i press on it. the dealer wanted $230 something fo the cluster cover and over $4 bill for the dash but it still the same crap they built them from the start.

Im trying to find them at one of the after market replacement places. That collision places use. I got a number for one in houston im going to call tommorow and see if they have them.

I had to replace my cluster bezel recently and went by the dealership to see what they went for, the parts guy said "might want to try the junkyard, you don't even want to know". Somewhere over 400 altogether. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I ended up ordering one from here. Came with new vents, clips, and everything for $90. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=214014&chapter=DR3TA94&appSectionid=2610&groupid=2610&subgroupid=2616&componentid=2948&make=8&model=Ram%202500%20pickup&year=1999&graphicID=TA94651&callout=13&catalogid=2

YEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

search craiglist for parting out dodges. i had to buy and black cluster cover this weekend for mine.
My dash has about 3 big holes the size of large coffie cans the rest is just cracked peices about 3 to 4 inchs in size. i dont think one of them glue in dashs well stick to all these peices. or it well just all fall in if i press on it. the dealer wanted $230 something fo the cluster cover and over $4 bill for the dash but it still the same crap they built them from the start.

Im trying to find them at one of the after market replacement places. That collision places use. I got a number for one in houston im going to call tommorow and see if they have them.

I've been looking around everywhere but can't find anything but the covers plus any non-stock dash from a dealership is going to be 10 years old just like mine and can't be much better UNLESS someone is making an aftermarket dash replacement that isn't just a cover. :)

I don't know how bad yours is, but fill the cracks with silicone then use the included adhesive to glue the new one on.



I had to replace my cluster bezel recently and went by the dealership to see what they went for, the parts guy said "might want to try the junkyard, you don't even want to know". Somewhere over 400 altogether. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I ended up ordering one from here. Came with new vents, clips, and everything for $90. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=214014&chapter=DR3TA94&appSectionid=2610&groupid=2610&subgroupid=2616&componentid=2948&make=8&model=Ram%202500%20pickup&year=1999&graphicID=TA94651&callout=13&catalogid=2

You just saved me from asking more questions, that was the next thing I needed to replace. How's the quality on the bezel?

I got one that had a small crack for $15 he wanted $35 but when he pulled it out of his storage it cracked. Most of the dash's is toteled when the air bags go off. or thats what ive seen on the last 3 wrecked trucks ive found localy.

I get a pretty good discount from the deal and there still to high.

I got one that had a small crack for $15 he wanted $35 but when he pulled it out of his storage it cracked. Most of the dash's is toteled when the air bags go off. or thats what ive seen on the last 3 wrecked trucks ive found localy.

I get a pretty good discount from the deal and there still to high.

Yeah $15 isn't bad but I don't want to start over with something already 10 years old whether it's cracking or not. I'm just going to do a cover.

So on the trademotion how do you get the picture of the parts to pull up. They only wanted 235 for the dash cover. I think mine wat to dryrouted to use one of them glue on ones.

Fits great. Where my pass. airbag cutoff switch is, there was a (pretty sweet) flip-open 12v outlet...so I cut the plastic "rivets" off and removed it. Pretty sure it's the same thing the dealership uses, just far far cheaper. Was packed in the same mopar bag/box that the one at the parts dept was in.

So on the trademotion how do you get the picture of the parts to pull up. They only wanted 235 for the dash cover. I think mine wat to dryrouted to use one of them glue on ones.

Start by going to oemdodgeparts.com then go from there.

Fits great. Where my pass. airbag cutoff switch is, there was a (pretty sweet) flip-open 12v outlet...so I cut the plastic "rivets" off and removed it. Pretty sure it's the same thing the dealership uses, just far far cheaper. Was packed in the same mopar bag/box that the one at the parts dept was in.

My truck has the 12 volt outlet because I don't have a pass airbag cutoff. :D I'm going to order the bezel and a dash cover tomorrow morning, can't wait to get things looking like new again.

Hey let me call that place in houston tommorow and see if they have them dash for 98 to 01 dodges.

im going to buy a cover from genos garage. just cant decide on soft or molded. ugggg

im going to buy a cover from genos garage. just cant decide on soft or molded. ugggg

Which ones are you looking at? What is the soft cover made out of? Is it just something like carpet?

Why not just use a dashmat? $30 or so, and it covers the cracks.

I have done this with our '76 duster, and all my trucks. I even put a dashmat into my '67 mustang after a ripped the crappy padded dash out. All that was there was the dashmat, and that's how she sits now. I plan on getting tswo more for the F350's we currently have (no cracks in the dash, just a cover to prevent it).

Why not just use a dashmat? $30 or so, and it covers the cracks.

I have done this with our '76 duster, and all my trucks. I even put a dashmat into my '67 mustang after a ripped the crappy padded dash out. All that was there was the dashmat, and that's how she sits now. I plan on getting tswo more for the F350's we currently have (no cracks in the dash, just a cover to prevent it).

I thought about that but the cracks in the dash now are starting to vibrate when at idle. It's a loud as 12 valve Cummins so it's not exactly a smooth idle. I need to somehow stop that and I figured gluing a cover down over it would solve 2 problems... kill the noise and cover up the cracks.

This must not happen in the northern states. Ive never seen a cracked dodge dash, and I work at a service shop. I wonder if you would have better luck buying one up here and shipping it back.

Probly half the dodges from 98 and to 01. I seen have crank dashs. Its a big problem here in texas from the hot sunny summers we have.

I've never seen the problem up this way either.

Buying an older one from up north sounds like it may work too.

my buddy was making fun of the crack on the top passenger side of my dash. the other day he let me know that soon after that his got a crack in the same spot:laughing:

mine has a crack from the defroster vent to the front of the dash. i think i may just throw a dash mat on it. i don't see it from the drivers seat so it hasn't made it to priority yet.

We have had a few of our 01s at work develop big holes in the dash. Our parts dept has been ordering new dash tops from Dodge. I'll have to see what they cost. I think they are just getting brittle and if you put something heavy on the dash, or smack something on it they break. I doubt a used dash would be worth the trouble.
Travis..

I just saw this thread and I am in the process of replacing the heater core in my 94. It has a few cracks so I'm going to Rhino Line it in gray Tuffgrip. I have done this to cracked fender flares that I thought would just brake in my hands before lining to being able to twist them about 90 deg when done. I will get some before and after pics up in a day or so when done.

Wayne

where do they crack? Any pics? Im just curious because Ive never seen a second gen with a cracked dash

where do they crack? Any pics? Im just curious because Ive never seen a second gen with a cracked dash

Most of my cracks run from the windshield towards the seats, I think I have 3 cracks that go the whole way and in the center of the dash I have a 4" square that is missing. I've probably made it worse because when it rattles I give it a good smack and usually end up breaking it more. :laughing:

Most of my cracks run from the windshield towards the seats, I think I have 3 cracks that go the whole way and in the center of the dash I have a 4" square that is missing. I've probably made it worse because when it rattles I give it a good smack and usually end up breaking it more. :laughing:

Thats the typical 2nd gen. crack I see all the time. My 2nd gen gaser did the same thing, my buddies has a huge chunk taken out of the middle. Its rare to find a 2nd gen around here that doesn't have those exact cracks. A big help is using a windshield visor when you park it. Its a pita but will help quite a bit.

Chris

Thats the typical 2nd gen. crack I see all the time. My 2nd gen gaser did the same thing, my buddies has a huge chunk taken out of the middle. Its rare to find a 2nd gen around here that doesn't have those exact cracks. A big help is using a windshield visor when you park it. Its a pita but will help quite a bit.

Chris

I've never seen a 2nd gen that wasn't cracked, mine was cracked when I bought it in Oct 07.

My hole bam dash board is cracked everywere. I would take a pics but its a weird angle and doesnt look right.

My 97 doesnt have a single crack in it. And ive only used a wet rag to clean it. And for 4 years i used the truck as a d.b outlaw loud truck. i was pushing 145+db's. It was loud enough to crack the windsheild twice. But the dask is still like new. Hell my brother 95 farm/work truck that get clean like once a year doesnt even have cracks. And ive see in with rie grass grow out of the dash because these some much get on it. It just the 98 to 01 that have the problem.

Does it have anything to do with where the truck was built? I have owned 2 99 Rams, One was babied ince new, and the other abused. I also drove one as acompany truck (Yes, another 99, I have driven over 450,000 miles in 99 Rams:flipoff2:) I have a new work truck, but my old one is now a shop spare, I drove it since it has 2 miles on it, and never babied it. Cleaned it once in a great while, never used AmorAll or aything on it, I looked it over today, The Dash is Perfect. It has never been parked inside. we may not get the killer sun you guys down south get, but I cant imagine going to 15 below is easy on the plastic. All 3 were built in St Louis, and all 3 still have perfect dash pads. They all are the same dark agate color, also. I know they built them in Mexico too, any correlation??

Mine is the darker gray color and I would suspect my truck lived a lot of it's life in the Texas sun. The paint shows some age and the interior shows some fading, that might very well be the problem.

I've decided to order one of the glue down covers and the aftermarket dash bezel as well since that has a crack in it too from when I replaced the radio. I still love the truck, I just want to make it look a little better.

Check this http://www.local6.com/money/13227601/detail.html We are trying to get them to recall it

Jodi, I thought you were a fan of bondo, fillem up:grinpimp: