[Red0ktober]

I just ordered blend motors, so I'm going to undertake the replacement process when I get those in a week or so. Trying to decide which take-apart directions to follow. My dash doesn't seem to be fitted properly, so I was thinking of removing the dash to access the blend motors, and hopefully do a better job refitting it. But, I saw mention of P38 dashes warping, in which case I may not be able to refit it much better than it already is. Based on the pictures, does this look like something I can improve?

This damage is why I think the dash may have been apart in the past.

 

[RRToadHall]

That is your dash material delaminating from the base form. You can clean the foam off the materil and contact cement the edges in place for a huge improvement on most sections. The instument surround area is really tough to fix. While you have thigns out you can remove the defrost vents and slightly bent the retaining clips for a better hold when reinstalled.

 

[Jos Geuze]

Hi

Before dismantling check if the underlay plastic is still in one piece. If not it will be very hard to get it back in shape and place after dismantling.

The damage on your dash is from it being exposed directly to the sun. Here in Malaysia nearly all cars have the same problem and the hot melt glue between the upper and lower parts of the dash changes composition and he dash parts are coming loose. Most of the time the upper plastic will crack and the foam padding will come loose and curl up as happen in your case.

There are some specialist companies that can repair this kind of damage as it is very common among all type of cars in tropical climates.

I have exchanged the dash in my car (in 2005) and now always put a reflective shade behind the window whenever the car is parked. It is still ok so far.

Regards

Jos

 

[Red0ktober]

Started disassembly. Bloody hell, what happened to this poor truck? So far everything is broken and missing screws...

 

[Red0ktober]

Heater fixed, dash fascia is back in (though it's in pretty rough shape). I'll see what I can do to source a new one. Almost every piece is broken in some way.

 

[Bigbeardbiii]

Of all the posts I read on dashboard removal and fixing it, the only "glue" option I could find was here "Contact Cement". Is there not something better than contact cement for gluing it back together?

 

[RRToadHall]

What is wrong with contact cement? It's tried, tested and holds up. I suppose you can use what ever glue floats your boat if you have something against contact cement.

 

[e30jrosso]

It looks like you took pictures of my dash, I'm in the exact same situation and also need to fix my heater. I was going to try to source a new dash as just from the rattling I can tell the plastic under the foam is cracked and broken. How hard was taking everything apart?

 

[Jos Geuze]

Hi

It is easy to take apart. Do not follow RAVE because here they describe taking out the complete dash. You only have to take out the top cover and can leave the main part inside the car which saves you taking out the wiring loom and loose the r134a charge of the AC system.

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/dash.html

You have to do point 8 before point 4 because there are some screws holding the center console under the cockpit trim.

Regards

Jos

 

[Bigbeardbiii]

I have no problem with contact cement. It's just been around a long time and with all the other (newer) glues out there now, I just thought one of them might have been found to be better. Thanks