shock6906

I've got my old dash pad out and now it's time to put the new one in. How do I do this without splitting it in half? Some trick angle to attack it with? All help is appreciated.

shoebox

Even with the A pillar covers off, you stll have to flex it a little.

shock6906

Whew, just got back inside. I ended up having to grit my teeth, close my eyes, and bend it a bit to get it in. Thankfully I did it without busting it.

With the A-pillar covers removed, I found it easiest to put the passenger side corner inside the A-pillar, move the left defrost vent out of the way as far as it'd go, and bend the driver's side of the dash pad around the A-pillar. I swear they could make an install video for the dash pad and call it a horror movie, because that's the scariest thing I've seen in a while.

slowride94z

good news,
where did you get yours from?
any thing else I might need to know when I decide to replace mine"that I shattered"?

shock6906

I picked mine up from the dealership. My stepdad's got a wholesale discount there, so I was able to get it for about the same price as the ones on eBay, but without the risk of it being broken in shipping.

As far as tips on how to install the new one, all I can say is get everything out of the way that you possibly can when you're putting the new one in. Luckily it's got a bit of flex to it, but I was still scared as hell putting it in. Good way to test you blood pressure!

rayline1

Hi guys, thanks for all of your post really appreciate reading them before doing a project. I just replaced the dash-pad on my 97Z28. I bought it from autopartscheaper.com it was a OEM exactly like the one that came out. It was $214.95 plus $61.90 for shipping. I took off the T-tops and removed the two screws that held in the A-pillar covers on each side. Removed the A-pillar covers. Removed the old DP. Removed the round post that broke off inside of the holes. Glued the square Velcro pads back in place with fast drying automotive goop. I took the new DP in the house and turned up the heat so it wouldn’t be cold in case I needed to bend it a little but it was already reasonably bendable. I was surprised how easily the new DP went in. I put in the drivers side first because I had more room for my body to maneuver around in the passenger seat, and in it went with very little trouble. Put covers back on and it looks great.

97Z4CZ28

Are you referring to the long plastic piece that fits up against front windshield or the front dash piece? Asking cause the piece that I am referring to is the front piece that is from what I read is common to crack, which mine is and I plan to replace soon as well. Anyone got pics? Thanks!

Dave

Sick97SS

If your dash isnt cracked too bad you can always glue it and cover with heavy duty grade vinyl. Much cheaper option than paying hundreds for a new dash. It will never crack again!

It's been in my car for about 4-5 years now and still looks like the day I put it in.

Here's some pics of my project.
Dash Pad Fix Page

Asylist

Thought about doing the vinyl in my car too, but worried that it would look tacky around the vent area since the vent its molded in to the dash, instead of being able to pop it out to firm the vinyl around the inside edges.

97Z4CZ28

You can get a new dash pad from GMPartsdirect.com for under 200! Just throwing that out there cause I have not found anywhere online that can beat GMPartsdirect! Used to be Dal from Van Devere Olds, which he retired in 2007 was best source online.

whitdog54

http://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance...brand-new.html

^ill just be repairing and wrapping mine this summer