original dashboard repair

[Rg2034]

In my 88 ranger i am looking at bringing the truck back to stock. the only thing i can not conquer or figure out is how to repair or replace the stock dashboard that is cracked . I have seen the dashboard covers that you can buy, i also have the carpet cover for it, but i do not like any of the after market covers plastic or carpet at all and i want to stay away from them.
any advice is helpful

 

[wildbill23c]

Interesting, I'm in the same boat. What's the proper fix? Someone has got to know.

 

[Mark_88]

Back in 2004 or so my dash was also cracked and I went to the junkyard and found one in near mint condition to replace mine with. Other than that...they can be repaired...if you are good with materials.

I had a crack in mine across the top edge where it drops down towards the passenger side. The crack can be surgically removed and filled as per the second video below...

I didn't do that myself...but it was tempting to try...when I found the replacement I just tossed the old one out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_drP8SLwvgo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x8qtvG-Y8U

 

[wildbill23c]

My trouble is the ones in the scrap yards are in the same or worse condition than my dash LOL.

Any ideas on repairing a current dash, or some way to keep it from cracking worse?

 

[Mark_88]

Check out the Youtube link at the bottom of my recent post. I watched it all the way through and it is not any harder than doing body work. It may involve other tools (gee, more tools!) or attachments if you don't already have them...

 

[Doofy]

I bought a plastic welder (soldering iron with a hole to feed the rod) last year to repair the fenders on a 3-wheeler and it worked well. There may be an application where it could on dash repairs too.

 

[wildbill23c]

Check out the Youtube link at the bottom of my recent post. I watched it all the way through and it is not any harder than doing body work. It may involve other tools (gee, more tools!) or attachments if you don't already have them...

I'll check those 2 videos out tomorrow. Thanks.

Other option I guess is a dash mat LOL. Although I'd rather have a dash that's not cracked to begin with. Apparently it was normal for these things to crack the one in my 84 Ranger was cracked, the 84 B2 I had was as well, and so is my 88 B2.

 

[Mark_88]

I bought a plastic welder (soldering iron with a hole to feed the rod) last year to repair the fenders on a 3-wheeler and it worked well. There may be an application where it could on dash repairs too.

I've never seen one other than this video I posted...but that just looks like a soldering iron with a flat spade attachment...what brand name was the plastic welder?

 

[Doofy]

Mark_88.

The brand is Hobie. They make the plastic kayaks. Got it on Amazon along with different colored plastic rods.

 

[Mark_88]

Mark_88.

The brand is Hobie. They make the plastic kayaks. Got it on Amazon along with different colored plastic rods.

Thank you...it looks very similar to what the guy in the video used to fix the dash...although I can't see how they differ that much from a soldering iron...other than the attachments may be better suited to that type of work.

I remember having a soldering iron that had swapable tips...and they kept falling off...lol

 

[Doofy]

Mark_88: This tip is brass and it threads on. Holy Crap! Just noticed it says 200watt heating element. The one I ordered was 80 watts for $70. Guess I scored! The welding rods are 1/8" and are polyethylene. Can also buy polypropylene rod.

I would imagine that a variable temperature plastic welder would be more appropriate for dash repairs.

 

[wildbill23c]

I notice that Harbor Freight has a plastic welding kit...sadly it basically does the same thing as all that stuff that they want $80 for but the HF kit is $17. I may try the HF kit and see if it works before I'd waste $80 on a soldering iron and some glue sticks which is what that stuff kind of looks like LOL.

Heck sand the area then fill in the cracks then find some spray paint close to the color of the dash and it should take care of the problem. I plan on putting one of those carpet dash covers in my Bronco 2 anyhow so it would cover up the slight paint color differences in the repair. Unless I can get stuff masked off good enough to just repaint the whole dash while I'm at it LOL

 

[Mark_88]

Mark_88: This tip is brass and it threads on. Holy Crap! Just noticed it says 200watt heating element. The one I ordered was 80 watts for $70. Guess I scored! The welding rods are 1/8" and are polyethylene. Can also buy polypropylene rod.

I would imagine that a variable temperature plastic welder would be more appropriate for dash repairs.

Thanks for the info Doofy...

I notice that Harbor Freight has a plastic welding kit...sadly it basically does the same thing as all that stuff that they want $80 for but the HF kit is $17. I may try the HF kit and see if it works before I'd waste $80 on a soldering iron and some glue sticks which is what that stuff kind of looks like LOL.

Heck sand the area then fill in the cracks then find some spray paint close to the color of the dash and it should take care of the problem. I plan on putting one of those carpet dash covers in my Bronco 2 anyhow so it would cover up the slight paint color differences in the repair. Unless I can get stuff masked off good enough to just repaint the whole dash while I'm at it LOL

The nice thing about these early dash covers is they are extremely easy to remove and repair. I also sanded the metal surface down and painted mine with a flat black paint...mostly because I hated the glare from the glossy paint that was on there...it wasn't much but it made a difference in my eyestrain.

but if you do find one it would be good practice to repair the spare one and keep it around if possible...my only reluctance to doing that is Ranger parts are like rabbits...leave a few alone in a room and the next thing you know the room is full of them...

I still have parts from my 88 sitting outside my new digs...mostly because they are worth money and might be useful to someone some day...

 

[wildbill23c]

I may see if I can find a dash in better condition or rather one that doesn't need repaired and install, then take the old one and repair it and see how it turns out. Course this is on the mile long to do list at the bottom LOL.

 

[Rg2034]

Now what is the (fabric) that was used in the cubby hole