Replacing the E30 dash

[DerBayer]

Has anybody tackled this job? Thinking about replacing my cracked one, however i read that its a major pain and almost not worth it?! Any thoughts...?

[Loser Shane]

Just buy an e30'dash cap ., u can't even tell it's there it's very good

[1SGDHORN]

Is there a cap that is better than others?

[ThomHart]

I'm in the middle of a dash swap and it is a pain but results will be superior to any cap. Goes back in later this week, will let you know haw it goes. Lots of detailed tutorials out there.

[DerBayer]

I'm in the middle of a dash swap and it is a pain but results will be superior to any cap. Goes back in later this week, will let you know haw it goes. Lots of detailed tutorials out there.

Yeah, not a fan of the 'caps'! And yes, please do. Decided not to buy a dash offered on ebay, crack free, but slight damange to the right corner offered at 300 dollars.

- - - Updated - - -

Is there a cap that is better than others?

Not really sold on those caps !

[nick325xit 5spd]

A dash swap is a few hours work. It's not a wonderful job, but it's not at all terrible either. Allocate a day for it, preferably when the weather is nice.

The big key is that you want some space to work in - you'll want to be able to get both doors wide open, and will need some work space as well. Don't forget to buy some foam window stripping for the HVAC box. The foam in there has disintegrated by now.

[DerBayer]

A dash swap is a few hours work. It's not a wonderful job, but it's not at all terrible either. Allocate a day for it, preferably when the weather is nice.

The big key is that you want some space to work in - you'll want to be able to get both doors wide open, and will need some work space as well. Don't forget to buy some foam window stripping for the HVAC box. The foam in there has disintegrated by now.

Thanks for the input

[DerBayer]

Thanks for the input

A guy is selling a crack free dash for 400 including shipping.. fair deal?

[nick325xit 5spd]

A guy is selling a crack free dash for 400 including shipping.. fair deal?

Seems to be what they are going for these days, and new dashes are back up in the stratosphere.

[E30Garage]

It doesn't appear to be too bad, check out the vid: https://youtu.be/e_lOvk7FX-0

[E30Garage]

Here's a step by step how to with pics http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/dashboard.html

[Loser Shane]

I have a cap I have two e30s one with and one without and u can't even tell which one has the cap unless I point it out.

Also it's only 100$ and an hour at most of install vs 300-400$ Harder instal and god forbids it cracks while installing or a month later etc

Either way it depends on you and preference (my e30 is a daily beater so. Plus I'm not rich.

[97CosmosM3]

I've done it a couple of times. It's not that bad or difficult, and it is definitely worth it if your dash is cracked.

[DerBayer]

I am in california and needless to say, i have to cover the dash permanently, or it will crack...I have a perfect one on my 88 vert that i never see since its always covered...Thinking now whats the point in getting a nice one?! Unless of course, i am selling the car.... Might just throw a cover over it

[heifetz17]

I did it on mine and the job itself really wasn't that bad, but I'd definitely go with a used one vs new. I sprung for a new one and ran into many many fitment issues that I'm not entirely happy with.

[nick325xit 5spd]

I did it on mine and the job itself really wasn't that bad, but I'd definitely go with a used one vs new. I sprung for a new one and ran into many many fitment issues that I'm not entirely happy with.

My new dash fit perfectly. :

(Also, I was fortunate to be able to buy it during the brief window when they were reasonably priced.)

I've pulled four or five dashes and installed two at this point. One new, one used (free from parts car).

[jash610]

the other option is to repair your dash. there are many dash fillers on the market and dash flocking kits. should save you maybe 150-250 rather than buying a new dash, this salt city euros vid is pretty good on explaining the process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BnfI8LLAk good luck!

[nick325xit 5spd]

the other option is to repair your dash. there are many dash fillers on the market and dash flocking kits. should save you maybe 150-250 rather than buying a new dash, this salt city euros vid is pretty good on explaining the process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BnfI8LLAk good luck!

Dash flocking looks utterly terrible, and it's even more work. I'd get a dash cap long before I ever did that.

[DerBayer]

Yeah, not a fan of dash flocking...So far i have seen only one 'clean and approprate' dash repair video. Cant recall now where i saw it, but the guy did it perfectly. SEM products and filler...cracks were opened up more, filled with this special resin, sanded, primed and painted. Amazing job.

[E30Garage]

Here's a video that I found, they did a great repair job. https://youtu.be/_x8qtvG-Y8U

[heifetz17]

My new dash fit perfectly. : (Also, I was fortunate to be able to buy it during the brief window when they were reasonably priced.) I've pulled four or five dashes and installed two at this point. One new, one used (free from parts car).

I must have just got a bad mold or something. My cluster sits at an unnatural angle because the two indents for the cluster "ears" are set too far back, and the screw indents for the various hvac panel screws don't actually line up properly with where the screws come through. It was a frustrating install to say the least!