For Dashboards needing repair

[dbrannon79]

Once that is in place then you can use the dash cover or do like I did, get you a carpet dash cover to hide it all

 

[Big T]

How about I bend up some metal straps and glue/scew them to the plastic dash cover and through bolt that in the original upper attachment spots, thus holding the whole upper shebang?

 

[dbrannon79]

Try something like this on top of the new cover...

95-00 Dash Savers

NEW CARBON FIBER ASA, high strength, high temp, and very light. Dash screws available below. DASH SAVERS ARE AVAILABLE IN SEM PAINT MATCHED COLORS! This is the paint sold by LMC to match the factory dash colors. One order is enough for one dash One order gets you 3 pieces, enough for one...

thedashsavers.com

 

[dbrannon79]

Also found this too.

97-98 OBS Billet Dash Saver 4000 | SpareTime Fab Billet

Introducing the Dash Saver 4000: Your Ultimate Dash Upgrade for 97-98 Chevy/GMC Trucks! 💥 Includes stainless hardware. Say goodbye to wobbly mounts and embrace a dash makeover like never before. 🚀 Wave farewell to broken tabs and vents with our game-changing solution. 😎 Get ready for a dash...

www.sparetimefabbillet.com

 

[dbrannon79]

I also found this which is a printable file you can download and print with a 3D printer. I would love to get my hands on a 3D printer to make all sorts of things like this!

95-98 GMT400 Chevrolet Dash Saver by Jordan Hasenberg | Download free STL model | Printables.com

A small, easy-to-print bracket to help reinforce cracked dashboards in 95-98 Chevrolet trucks | Download free 3D printable STL models

www.printables.com

 

[Big T]

Thank you! I like the billet solution, but my dash is already cracked and needs the cover, while the billet solution would go under the cover. I think that forces me to the first option of the graphite reinforced plugs on top of the cover. This is the way I’ll go.

 

[Big T]

Looking at the billet solution on the laptop and it looks like the dash cover could go over it. Then you'd have the benefit of spreading the weight across all three attaching points, instead of just three individual points.

 

[dbrannon79]

Just for looks, I would put the billet solutions one on top of the plastic cover if the vent openings don't line up, remove them from the dash it's self leaving the outer area intact. leave the plastic cover intact too or remove them as well along with placing a piece of hardware cloth or thin gauge expanded metal or aluminum underneath the dash cover then the billet solutions over top sandwiching it all together.

For the price of the one from billet solutions, someone here on the forums that might have a CNC machine could possibly make one of these from some 1/16" aluminum or stainless steel with a wider surround area and make some $$ selling them. it wouldn't be too hard to take good measurements of the vent structure on the original dash to cut out the vent lines to match and line up too.

if one takes the dash out you'll find that there are two extra screw holes, one on ether side up there, the 94- dashes used 5 screws up there. if someone was to pin point where those are, they could incorporate those holes in the plate so that when installed could provide additional securement for sagging dashes.

 

[Big T]

I ordered the graphite reinforced versions 0f the 95-00 Dash Savers and separately ordered a rattle can of GM grey interior paint from the jungle. I just received the plastic welder and intend to fix the cracks before installing the Dash Skin. The sections around the mounting screws are trash, so I will be relying on the combination of glued on Dash Skin and the Dash Savers to hold the whole thing up. My greatest goal is to stop the rattling and shaking.