Installing dash cover

[sdebaker]

I got the full, plastic cover to hide my cracking dash. I have installed a few of these on other-model cars. But there is one tricky-looking detail with this one: how are the defroster vents removed? They have some type of spring-loaded retainer. But, I am reluctant to just pull up and hope nothing breaks. What's the trick?

Are there any other traps I should look for?

1977 124 Spider

[BEEK]

the cool thing is it really doesnt matter. the dash cap is a cover therfor slightly larger, the vents wedge in and do not need any retaining wire , as original. just align them up to the proper angle and go with it

[spidernut]

There is a spring steel wire that fits into the outer ring of the dash vent's outer trim ring on opposing sides. You do not need to remove the dash vents to install the dash cap. The cap should fit around the vent openings.

[BEEK]

to each their own, when i install a dash cover i remove the dash from the car, strip the dash completly and install the cover, then put the dash back together and install it back in the car. when im done you cannot tell that a cover has been installed. But i have installed 100's of dash covers on fiats and i have learned many tricks by doing so. i go for the oem look. it takes time as the dash wood also needs to be trimmed for proper fitment.

[urbom]

So, BEEK, can you give us some detail on how you install a cover?

When you say strip it completely, you don't mean that you take all of the original vinyl off of the dash, do you? I understand taking the dash out and all of the parts that mount to the dash off, but the vinyl?

On another note, how do you get to the bolts that hold the steering column? I have two 69 spiders, and they both look the same. The bolts that hold the column up appear to have "round" heads, almost like rivits. Maybe I'm missing something, or the angle doesn't let me get my bifocals in line......

Kevin

[124spiderman]

The bolts to mention are Shear-bolts. They have heads on them and when tightened to a specified torque the heads snap off. Why Fiat chose this method is unknown to me. Possible anti theft?
You need to drill it and use an ezy-out tool.

[BEEK]

all you need to do is remove the steering wheel. but you can remove the shear bolts and replace them with regular bolts, with no risk of safety issues.

no i dont remove the old black covering on the dash. i do trim back any ridges so the new cover sits flat against the surface. i glue (silicone) he cover on real well, around the edges, use clothes pins and tape to secure while drying. the amount of time you spend fitting the cover and preparation and installation will make the finished product look better

[baltobernie]

Just about every dash top has seen Armor-All or equivalent during its lifetime. This silicone prevents good adhesion to your new cap. Use lots of acetone (outside ) and plenty of clean rags to strip this off. Use some more on the mating surface of the cap to rid it of mold-release agents. Scuff up both surfaces with 60 grit paper, then wipe both again with acetone before applying adhesive.

[Auspider]

Great info on this, will definitely refer to this when I eventually do mine!

[PleasantSpider]

BEEK, can you compare the soft dash with the dash cap as far as ease of installing? Need one or the other and we are doing the work ourselves. Cost a huge motivator but if the cap is going to be unruly I'd rather spend the money.... thoughts? Are they very different in appearance?

[Boris61]

My dash cap install in my 84 wasn't easy but with the windshield off and using all the advice in this thread it came out very nice. Thanks! The only issue I could not work out was how to trim the edges. There is no where near enough space now for the original plastic pieces between the dash end and the door jam. Any suggestions?

[njoconnor]

BEEK, can you compare the soft dash with the dash cap as far as ease of installing? Need one or the other and we are doing the work ourselves. Cost a huge motivator but if the cap is going to be unruly I'd rather spend the money.... thoughts? Are they very different in appearance?

I decided not to go with a cover (read: spouse said "no cover, looks ugly, buy a dash". Who am I to argue?). I fould Brian's excellent post on soft dash installs to be critical to my install:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... sh#p190336

There's a goodly amount of fiddling, trimming, and adjusting with the soft dash, but I have to say it came out looking great:

Out of the car, after initial staging:



In the car:



I spent the most time making the gauge cluster opening wider, especially around the fuel gauge (used a Zip bit in a small Dremel; very dusty, use a mask and have a shop vac handy). Like Brian, I had to slot the mounting brackets on the ends. But I believe the work was well worth it.

My $0.02US. Look around the forum, though; lots of proponents of covers and dashes.

Neil

[phaetn]

To each his own.

I went with a cap from Auto Ricambi and am very happy with it. For a good installation I did completely remove the dash first, though, so I could slip the cap on quite precisely. I used an unorthdox method of screws that I know will draw ire from some people for its look and unorgininality. I did it because of the weather extremes the car will face as a daily driver, including morning computes of a degree or two below freezing (until the roads are salted then the car is done for the seaon).



Dropping the steering column helped a lot with the install. Also taking the gauges cluster and glove box sleeve out, too, in order to be able to tighten the wing nuts that clamp the dash to the car frame roughly in front of the vents.

Cheers,
phaetn