It's time replace the cracked dash in my 2001 Dodge CTD has anybody replaced the full dash and if so how hard is it?

I have looked at the dash covers but I think the dash is to far gone anybody know if I can still use a cover if the dash is in real bad shape.

take your time and pay attention.. its not as hard as you'd think.. the 1st time i pulled a dash i was all scared.. it only goes back together one way..

Mine is trashed in my 96, someone at some point in time before I bought it took the passenger side air bag out...I think they did it with a claw hammer and an axe from the way it looks...I may just do a custom one in mine...

I replaced the dash in my black truck (97). Easy to pull, a little harder to put back in.

On my other 96 silver truck, I swapped a 2000 cab on it. I replaced the entire dash top -- not a cover, a complete hard lifetime warranty top -- I pulled the dash to work on the wiring and such, but you could prob do it by just tilting the dash down.

Both times, it took about 4 hours to pull the dash, do the necessary work, and replace. I had a buddy help with the install both times. Take your time, have a buddy help you, thoroughly inspect your heater core (or just replace it), pull it out slowly and look for the oddball electrical connections. Pretty easy.

Post #474
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=679161&page=19

Pics in there show the new dash cover and the dash pulled in the 2000. If anyone wants a perfect dash from a 96 -- let me know.

Here is the dash replacement I bought. I think the price went up 30 bux, but even so, I would still pay for it again to avoid the god awful dash cracks. Easy to install, good overall fit, sturdy, lifetime warranty.

http://www.autobodyfillersusa.com/servlet/Detail?no=115

Mine is trashed in my 96, someone at some point in time before I bought it took the passenger side air bag out...I think they did it with a claw hammer and an axe from the way it looks...I may just do a custom one in mine...


Too bad they never had a passenger air bag...

heres the write up on my 3rd gen. I don't know if it'll help

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=755435&highlight=heater

Mine is trashed in my 96, someone at some point in time before I bought it took the passenger side air bag out...

how do you take something out thats not even there in the first place. :flipoff2:

EDIT: nvmind didnt see that mondtster already saw this...

Yep 98 is when they added pass air bags.

Anyways.
Find you a flex spocket drive for your drill/drive impact. So you can get to the back screws by the windsheilds. And get the old broken dash out is eazy. But installing the new one is alittle tricky.

Thanks for the help. Looks like I will replace the dash instead of a cover. I will let you know how it turns out.

I forgot they didnt have them, still looks like some assclown took an axe to it...I have only drove the truck 15 feet since I bought it June 2008 so I apologize if my memory is a little rusty...

Yep 98 is when they added pass air bags.

Anyways.
Find you a flex spocket drive for your drill/drive impact. So you can get to the back screws by the windsheilds. And get the old broken dash out is eazy. But installing the new one is alittle tricky.


I just used a really long 3/8" extension and a deep well 1/4" or 5/16" socket. I also did everything with a small ratchet so I would not crack or break anything else from over torquing.