My 2000 Dodge Ram 1500's dashtop has cracks throughout the dashtop. A 6" x 6" section has already come out. I want to replace the dashtop myself, since the Dealership wants almost $500 in labor charges alone to replace the dashtop. I could use some help here with Dashtop removal instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

Hey, I own a 2000 DODGE RAM, I have the same problem, my dash board is cracking in several places. Where did you acquire your new dash board?

Thanks,

http://www.dashcaps.com/truckinteriors/ford/12-562nd%2022-947%20photo.jpg

http://www.dashcaps.com/autodashes/dodge-ram.asp

I have a 2000 Ram 1500 and my dash cracked so bad it looks like a roadmap. It also has a trianglular shaped piece that completely broke off. Now the front trim piece is cracking. It started before the warranty ran out but I didn't notice it until it had over 36,000 miles. I have less than 48,000 miles on it now. I'll never buy another Dodge.

ramdodger56

I also have a 2000 Dodge Ram. My dash was in very bad shape.

I installed one of these dash covers on it and it looks just like a brand new dash.
:)

ramdodger56

I also have a 2000 Dodge Ram. My dash was in very bad shape.

I installed one of these dash covers on it and it looks just like a brand new dash.
:)
This is all fine but does anyone know how to replace the dash?

This is all fine but does anyone know how to replace the dash?

Take it from me you don't want to go there. I had to pull everything out, The passenger air bag, steering column,e-brake, all electrical switches and vacuum lines to the heating ducts, access covers and much more in order to gain access to the 12 screws under the dash that hold the defroster air ducts and the 3 screws that hold the top of the dash to the metal supports.
I had this insane notion to fix mine .I had a 6X6 piece that fell out, and lots of cracks. I removed the dash top but it was in 5 pieces. I tried to glue them with 2 part epoxy, that didn't work well. So I broke out my 450 watt soldering gun and used some abs plastic I had lying around and welded the backside of all the cracks. It actually held very well but when I reinstalled it new cracks emerged and now I am searching for a replacement top cover. Dodge should be held accountable for making cheap, brittle, crack-a-lacking piece garbage. I enquired on a dealer install and they wanted over $400.
So in all, they skimp in the truck then give you a F#$% if you don't know what your doing.

Same problem. I bought my 2001 Ram 1500 brand new and the dash was missing huge pieces within 2 years. You can see all the MANY others who have the same problem by going to 2001 Dashboard Cracks (http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_196287/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm).

Many have tried to get customer satisfaction, but haven't. There are links to places to get replacements if you want to try doing it yourself, though. Also links to where to complain.
Spread the word.

Local6.com is investigating this problem and Daimler Chrysler may have a recall on this.
Company Creates Plan After Local 6 News Dashboard Investigation - Local News Story - WKMG Orlando (http://www.local6.com/news/13254698/detail.html)

My 2000 Dodge Ram 1500's dashtop has cracks throughout the dashtop. A 6" x 6" section has already come out. I want to replace the dashtop myself, since the Dealership wants almost $500 in labor charges alone to replace the dashtop. I could use some help here with Dashtop removal instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! :)
Haynes Manuals are an easy way to take care of this. They are about $15 or so and it will give you a complete teardown and rebuild info/instructions.

My 2000 Dodge Ram 1500's dashtop has cracks throughout the dashtop. A 6" x 6" section has already come out. I want to replace the dashtop myself, since the Dealership wants almost $500 in labor charges alone to replace the dashtop. I could use some help here with Dashtop removal instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! :)
Also, a cheap way to get a dash is to go to a junkyard and get one there... ususally pretty cheap to get ahold of.

An easy way to get the dash off is to set the parking brake, put the selector in neutral and pry the plastic cover off the dash---easy to pop off. Once that is off, use a phillips head screwdriver and unscrew the dash and it should come off. But like I said in my previous message, get a Haynes manual---great book!

I have a '99 dodge ram and my dash is cracked also. Thanks Ironhorse for suffering for me so I don't have to go through that. After reading your post, I changed my mind in replacing it myself.

Also, a cheap way to get a dash is to go to a junkyard and get one there....ususally pretty cheap to get ahold of.

If you even find a dash at a junkyard, it will probably be cracked. If it's not cracked, it will in a short period.



An easy way to get the dash off is to set the parking brake, put the selector in neutral and pry the plastic cover off the dash---easy to pop off. Once that is off, use a phillips head screwdriver and unscrew the dash and it should come off. But like I said in my previous message, get a Haynes manual---great book!

I think it takes more work than that.

Mr 1999 ram started cracking at around 100,000 miles. I pulled it out last weekend. It is not nearly as hard as other dashes I have pulled. I had it out and on the workbench in about 45 minutes. The trick is to take it out like they put it in, mostly as a complete unit. I left the a/c controls, instruments, fuse box, etc in place. Once on the bench I turned it over and removed the ducting screws. Then I flipped it upright to remove the dash cover screws across the front and two on the ends. Three hours total (not to mention the $400 dash top) and I had a new factory dash. Now she is ready for another 100,000 miles.

I have a 2001 Dodge R

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and I have had to replace mine but I need to know how to remove the radio from a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500

Hi
I have a 2000 Ram I Bought Brand New as well. The dash was Fine until late last summer. It cracked when my wife and daughter were driving it down the Interstate. I saw it when they got home and within a Month it shattered like an egg shell breaking in many different areas. It looked as though someone had Punched the dash itself but they swore it was fine when they went into a store but when they returned it was cracked down the middle. :mad: It has sat in the Hot southern sun most of it's life but just did this recently. Has anyone used one of these replacement pads and do they carry a warranty ? Dodge really needs to Eat the repairs on this one since it covers so many different years their supplier needs to pay for a total dash pad replacement... :mad: Thanks..

I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 as well and I have a couple GIANT cracks and a piece that's only being held onto by the bolt that holds the dash onto the cab. Yeah... Dodge made a bad dash, it is cheap plastic. Solution? Get a new dash (I know its expensive and we aren't all made of money) and buy a dash cover. The problem should not resurface because you won't have crappy plastic being rotted by the sun.

My 2000 Dodge Ram 1500's dashtop has cracks throughout the dashtop. A 6" x 6" section has already come out. I want to replace the dashtop myself, since the Dealership wants almost $500 in labor charges alone to replace the dashtop. I could use some help here with Dashtop removal instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! :)

Sandkindustries.com

You can get new dodge REPLACEMENT dashboard here:

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

I want to be clear. It is not a cover or stupid wrong fitting cap. They make it with different materials and guarantee it. I just got it and installed it today. It wasn't too hard to put in either. The only problem is, the new dash only comes in black. If you want to color match it ONLY use this stuff from SEM:

http://semproducts.com/Catalog.asp?prod=212

You will have to use prep spray and adhesion promoter but it will expand and contract in the heat along with you r new dash. Good Luck fellow dodge owners!

Mark

Mr 1999 ram started cracking at around 100,000 miles. I pulled it out last weekend. It is not nearly as hard as other dashes I have pulled. I had it out and on the workbench in about 45 minutes. The trick is to take it out like they put it in, mostly as a complete unit. I left the a/c controls, instruments, fuse box, etc in place. Once on the bench I turned it over and removed the ducting screws. Then I flipped it upright to remove the dash cover screws accross the front and two on the ends. Three hours total (not to mention the $400 dash top) and I had a new factory dash. Now she is ready for another 100,000 miles.

It seems you are one of the few people who have ventured into this area and said it wasn't difficult. I have the same problem and need assistance and am hoping to pick your brain. Where did you get the information on how to completely remove the dashboard? That will be a starter and I might be contacting you again.

Thanks,

Mike

I have a 2000 Ram 1500 and my dash cracked so bad it looks like a roadmap. It also has a trianglular shaped piece that completely broke off. Now the front trim piece is cracking. It started before the warrenty ran out but I didn't notice it until it had over 36,000 miles. I have less than 48,000 miles on it now. I'll never buy another Dodge.

I have a 2001 Ram with over 100,000 miles and the dash looks like new. I do use various vinyl treatments on it, which you should do. You're not going to buy another one just because of a cracked dash? Quit your crying... Go buy a toyoda... Warranty has two A's... No E's...

I found a store on eBay called Auto Body fillers USA and I purchased a replacement dash for about half the cost of a replacement through the dealer. I already had plans to dye my dash black and this company's replacement comes in black only, but has a great warranty and is made much better than the one you can purchase through the dealer. I basically just finished the "cracking" process on my fragile dash and removed all the pieces. You will have to unbolt the brackets for the passenger airbag in order to complete the job and a good pair of pliers will "lovingly" squeeze and break the sleeves on the ventilation scews (which the replacement does not require you to re-attach), so you only use the screws that are visible to install the new dash. It is made from heavy duty ABS plastic of a much higher grade than the dealer can offer--which means if you choose to go through the dealer for replacement, the same issues will occur once more in only a couple of years. I only hope your dash's underbracing is not also cracked as mine was. Other than that, these guys make it a relatively easy replacement. Hope all this info helps someone out there.

You don't want to tackle the removal and replacement of the original dashboard. It is costly and very time consuming. Get ready for about two days of solid work and the cost of item plus materials. Install a ABS Vacuum molded plastic dashbaord cover. These are easy to install and normally take less than 30 minutes. Your dashbaord will look new again...
Visit www.txdashcovers.com

Dash cap cover from TXDashcovers.com... They sell 1994-2005 Dodge Ram Dash covers. Easy to install.
Www.txdashcovers.comhttp://www.txdashcovers.com

Alldata, ShopKey, Mitchell, are all reliable sourcesw of repair data. I use Alldata.

I pulled out the bezel that goes around the instrument panel, which was also cracked and saw a bunch of screws that I believe hold in the part of the dash that is cracked. You'll also have to take out the bezel above the glovebox to revele a couple more screws and about 4 or 5 up close to the glass and one on each end one by the fuse box and the opposite side as well. In my case I believe I won't have to remove any components like radio or switches and stuff. Im going to give it a shot. I think , in most cases it's the plastic cover that is cracked which means you don't have to pull the dash at all

You can get a fiberglass replacement dash cap on eBay for Dodge trucks, reassembly priced for about 325.00. Comes in 3 stock Dodge colors and the color is in the gel coating. Never worry again about a cracking dash again. Well Made American product. Getting ready to install my New fiberglass dash cap now on a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport.

LMC truck has the dash pad now for $219.95. Here is the link:
http://www.lmctruck.com/features/de/DEDP1.htm

What is the average time to change the steering box on 1998 dodge ram?

Here is link from YouTube , a dash overlay a little more money $190.00 but simple and a fast possible solution.

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=ddZbmqPCyzg

Part location, you need to look up your model and year (maybe call them etc... )
http://coverlaymfg.com/lookup.html?PartTypeTree=Dash+Board+Cover

[b]
Here is link from YouTube , a dash overlay a little more money 0.00 but simple and a fast possible solution.

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=ddZbmqPCyzg

Part location, you need to look up your model and year (maybe call them etc... )
http://coverlaymfg.com/lookup.html?PartTypeTree=Dash+Board+Cover

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