The Unofficial, Official My Dash Cracked Thread
easy to install
Diesel Fan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Northern Michigan
01 w/242,000...haven't had it quite a year but had the pleasure of finding my cracked dash, which previous owner camo'd with a cover fastened with liquid nails 
after my heater core took a hudge. The dash literally looked like a foundation block had been rolling around up there...came apart in pieces, had holes u culd put fist through. So not only did I get to rip the whole dash out for heater core, I forked over $480.00 for a new complete dash color coded to vin from dodge cause I was afraid a used one wuld crack n don't really care to pull dash again netime soon. Notes from dash: make sure power windows r up before disconnecting batteries/harness and b4 the rain comes.
after my heater core took a hudge. The dash literally looked like a foundation block had been rolling around up there...came apart in pieces, had holes u culd put fist through. So not only did I get to rip the whole dash out for heater core, I forked over $480.00 for a new complete dash color coded to vin from dodge cause I was afraid a used one wuld crack n don't really care to pull dash again netime soon. Notes from dash: make sure power windows r up before disconnecting batteries/harness and b4 the rain comes.
Diesel Wrench
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 730
Likes: 38
From: Columbia, Tn
fellas fellas fellas. i got the solution for ya and i saw some1 ask if dash color matters and it doesn't
i got a 95 213k on it and no cracks. and yes it's the original dash.
there are three simple things to doing this
1. Leave your dash dusty (if you have no windshield tint) don't go in there and clean it all the time that actually only makes it worse especially if you use armor all or anything like that
2.(I would do this one no matter what if you can) If you have the interior that has the horrible cup holders up at the very top above the radio. take them out those actually put a ton of stress on the dash when you flex on a rock or hillside or anything like that.
3. Tint your windshield a layer of tint on there will help it from overheating and shrinking or expanding so it wont crack I personally have 30% on my windshield with a 5% sun strip and two layers of 20% on all my other windows. I know not everyone can put tint on the windshield but if you can this is a great thing to have done and if you do get it on there below 35% i would highly recommend you to invest in some HID's
i got a 95 213k on it and no cracks. and yes it's the original dash.
there are three simple things to doing this
1. Leave your dash dusty (if you have no windshield tint) don't go in there and clean it all the time that actually only makes it worse especially if you use armor all or anything like that
2.(I would do this one no matter what if you can) If you have the interior that has the horrible cup holders up at the very top above the radio. take them out those actually put a ton of stress on the dash when you flex on a rock or hillside or anything like that.
3. Tint your windshield a layer of tint on there will help it from overheating and shrinking or expanding so it wont crack I personally have 30% on my windshield with a 5% sun strip and two layers of 20% on all my other windows. I know not everyone can put tint on the windshield but if you can this is a great thing to have done and if you do get it on there below 35% i would highly recommend you to invest in some HID's
someone has to have tried the dash cover. I am really wanting one but I would love to know how the fit is before I put out 150.00 for it. thanks for any input.
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: Great Falls, MT
My '99 with 130k miles just started to crack a little bit. The crack starts in the center on the windshield side of the dash and moves aft about 3 in. Thanks for making me look, and now I get to look forward to it completely crumbling.
mine still hasn't creaked yet
