Talk me into, or out of, it...

[df2x4]

A local guy is asking $350 for a used (complete) dash and these days I just think that's a bit much considering it'll be some degree of brittle, also.

That seems to be about the going rate for a good '95+ example from what I've seen unfortunately. Not sure about '88-'94...

 

[Reluctanse]

UGH, mission creep has set in!

You'll get that on these big jobs.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

Eh, I've always liked the 94-up body-color GMC grille better. Of course if I get one it likely will be used, and not the same color as my truck. Nor will the filler pieces.


No idea on the adjusters, but if they're like anything else on the truck, they're almost guaranteed to be seized.

More trash and mission creep: I laid that cheap dash cover across the dashboard, pressed on it gently, and a whole bunch more of the existing dash just shattered like potato chips. I dug all the pieces out and laid the cover back down again and it looks.. like crap. Man I REALLY.. REALLY DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON A DASHBOARD!! FML. The one from LMC is just shy of $600 by the time you ship it and you still have to paint it to match, and move all your other stuff over, which at that point should also be painted to match because otherwise it won't.

A local guy is asking $350 for a used (complete) dash and these days I just think that's a bit much considering it'll be some degree of brittle, also.

Richard

Just throw one of those rugs on it and call it a day.

 

[618 Syndicate]

mission creep has set in!

If you didn't see that coming you'd be the only one here who didn't...

 

[bluex]

Eh, I've always liked the 94-up body-color GMC grille better. Of course if I get one it likely will be used, and not the same color as my truck. Nor will the filler pieces.


No idea on the adjusters, but if they're like anything else on the truck, they're almost guaranteed to be seized.

More trash and mission creep: I laid that cheap dash cover across the dashboard, pressed on it gently, and a whole bunch more of the existing dash just shattered like potato chips. I dug all the pieces out and laid the cover back down again and it looks.. like crap. Man I REALLY.. REALLY DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON A DASHBOARD!! FML. The one from LMC is just shy of $600 by the time you ship it and you still have to paint it to match, and move all your other stuff over, which at that point should also be painted to match because otherwise it won't.

A local guy is asking $350 for a used (complete) dash and these days I just think that's a bit much considering it'll be some degree of brittle, also.

Richard

We put a couple of the LMC dashes in at my shop. They are very nice, I was surprised by the quality honestly. If you can't find a decent used one they are worth the money for a truck you plan to keep imo.

 

[bluex]

Just throw one of those rugs on it and call it a day.

Even though they look like crap I'm thinking of getting some to protect the dash from the sun since I have a somewhat decent one now.

 

[Erik the Awful]

I put one of those dash caps on my RX-7 years ago. It was garbage. They're only good for covering a dash that's only mildly damaged. For anything serious you're better off just getting another dash.

I wouldn't hesitate to use an old, intact dash, but I'd respray it with some vinyl paint first. I think it would help refresh the existing plastic and seal it against further UV damage.

 

[someotherguy]

I wouldn't hesitate to use an old, intact dash, but I'd respray it with some vinyl paint first. I think it would help refresh the existing plastic and seal it against further UV damage.

The broken ones I've touched were so brittle they shattered with the slightest pressure. I'm pretty sure the plastic is completely dead at that point and nothing is gonna save it. These guys asking $350-$550 for 88-94 dashboards around here are nuts, especially since the brand new reproduction part exists at a just slightly higher price point. When the only option was used, I was getting around $250-$300 for a complete good unit of either generation.

Anyway so the dash cover thing sucks, as I kind of expected it to. However, it's better than looking at the absolute cave-in disaster that used to be my dash, so it's gonna stay for now. I can't justify spending those bucks for another dash when I've bought whole trucks for that kind of money. Problem with the cover is there's not much of the original dash (literally) to stick it onto, so it's just sort of floating there. Maybe I'll bend up some quickie little brackets to utilize the defrost vent screw mounts and hook it down with those.

No pics for this little update, especially since the dash cover is such an abomination. Beyond that, I death-wheeled a rusty, hacked trailer plug out of a tag light hole on the bumper, now I have both tag light assemblies in place and working. If only I could remove the loose trailer ball in the left hand ball mount hole. It's rusted to hell, too. This truck is gonna make me buy an oxyacetylene torch.

I yanked the heat riser flap out of the air cleaner housing because its wax pellet had failed and the flap was stuck closed even with the engine at full temp. While I was working on that, I finally figured out (duh) what that melted connector was that I had asked about so many posts prior. It's the A/C clutch power. Of course it's busted off the clutch. Just a replacement clutch is $100, more than half the cost of a new compressor! Jeezus. Maybe it's time to go ahead and convert the system to a Sanden... except so far, I don't see one of the kits designed to fit a big block. Ahh - edit, looks like I can get just the brackets/hardware, and have to get all the other parts separate. Dirty Dingo has 'em for about $50.

Richard

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Just a replacement clutch is $100, more than half the cost of a new compressor! Jeezus

Can you find a used compressor and simply swap out the clutch coil?

 

[someotherguy]

Can you find a used compressor and simply swap out the clutch coil?

Sure, if I hunt hard enough. Again, no longer having a shop and yard full of them makes it way less convenient and cost-effective. It's an option, considering the complexity and expense of the other options!

Richard