thanks for posting this video I just did this project last weekend. I was able to find a NOS dash top. My advice to anybody that's doing this project when you get to the point of reinstalling your defroster vents. start at the driver side and work your way over to the passenger side where you have a little bit more room. That part of the project in my opinion was the worst. start to finish it took about 6 hours probably would have taken about 4 if it wasn't for reinstalling the defroster vents trial and error on that part cost us a lot of time. if you are using a brand new dash top make sure you run some of the screws in the blank holes it definitely will help get stuff started rather than tapping them underneath in awkward positions
Great video! I pulled the dash off my pickup before i realized they are screwed in from the back. Of course my dash was in MUCH WORSE condition. I looked at the new one and thought 'how the hell am i going to screw those screws in!?' Thanks for the video very helpful!
I have nearly the same pickup. 97 SLT 5.2 in crimson. My dash is cracked just a bit and I found a good one at the junkyard for $40. Using your video I pulled it, and using your video I will install the replacement. Cheers.
I just performed this installation on my '97 Ram 2500. Thanks for the great guidance. I discovered a couple things in the process. The aftermarket dash I ordered did not perfectly line up with the screw holes on the air duct outlets. There was no way to really see this once I had partially installed the dash, though. I spent a long frustrating time trying blindly to start screws into holes that weren't possible. Fortunately, my truck had a cracked windshield. So, I removed the windshield so I could see everything easily. Had to reshape some of the screw holes on the duct outlets to match the dash cover. Went smoothly after that. Advice is to buy an OEM dash, which should be more precisely made. Also, test fit the ductwork to the dash before you attempt the installation.
My dash is fine, but there's a wire causing short circuit behind the dome switch and I really needed to see where it was headed behind the dash, for some reason my wire tracer won't work on that particular wire. This video helped a lot. I still can't believe how much needs to be done just to take a peak down there, but it got done thanks to you. Would have never guessed those two bolts down there. I thought the top just came off after taking off the front and top screws... silly me!
I think that flexible screwdriver is the most integral part of this entire operation. I dropped about 6 screws i need to go get one before i blow a brain vessel this project is sooo hard
Welp, 10 almost 11 years later and im here. Replacing my dash in my 96 and this is the only video i found that is for the early years of there trucks, thanks man!!
Just bought a 97 that I put a motor in. The dash is in chunks and pieces. New cover is a must! Great video! I would have never guessed that there are that many screws under the cover. Definitely doing the heater core while I'm at it. Thanks for this video. Going to save me a ton of guess work.
@@CertifiedSunset you can get a replacement dodge ram dash at Gino's garage ( Dodge ram parts) in Cummings Ga they have lots of truck parts,, it's a Mopar dash but has a lifetime guarantee
THANKS FOR THE VIDEO .your tips and techniques are SPOT ON . the flex screw driver is a must .i would like to add ,keep your swear jar around i filled mine . note my lower dash was just as dry rotted as my upper dash causing longer time and more work.
Sir, your video is the ONLY one I’ve found on RU-vid to properly explain what needs to be done to get this blasted dash off. With your help I was successful in getting mine removed. Buy yourself a beer!
THANK YOU! soon im going to replace the dash in my 96 and this video will help alot. I actually found brand new replacements online i didn't want to use a salvage yard dash because im afraid it would also be very brittle
THANKS for posting this video. I found it to be very informative & helpful! :-) & Please IGNORE the naysayers who are critical of your not using the procedure outlined via the factory service manual. While there is nothing wrong with using the factory manual, sometimes it is more practical for "weekend mechanics" to use an alternative method that might serve to either shorten the time required to accomplish the task OR permit the use of commonly available tools OR allow one person to accomplish the task on a weekend in their own home garage or driveway. Good to have alternative methods to choose from!
Am I the only one that has an auto that when I dropped my steering column my truck just started rolling down the drive way. Nearly killed myself ahhahahha
You could not run fast eought to give me another toyata pickup Mine from the day we purchased it would not start early in the mornings Spent weeks in the shop was never fixed
Damn! This looks complicated. I just bought a beat up 95 RAM that, fortunately for me, the former owner already removed the dash top and I only have to buy a replacement, but even that seems daunting. I just need to buy a flex screw driver.....
My Brother and I are going to do this today on my 96,Going to remove the dash completely from the truck tho,should make it less difficult and also have to replace rotted foam around the a/c ducts so most of the air wont blow under the dash.
nope, but it's not even been a year ago. it's alot easier to just throw a cover on it like i had but i just couldn't stand knowing that it was cracked under the cover.
I got everything apart and am finding it impossible to put back together! Did you install the passenger side first? I need more details on the order of operations for reinstalling the screws. thx
My dash is getting ready to go, and I got a big ugly gaping hole in the middle of the dash, been through Hell and back, maybe one of these days I'll get around doing a dashboard replacement
Did you put all the screws back in or just the easy ones? I had fun at the junkyard trying to get the newer cover off without breaking the cover. Only broke one of the holes on the passenger side. I put too much pressure on the cover trying to get my head in to see the screw.
Question for other owners of mid-90s Dodge RAM 1500 owners who have replaced their dash top panel: What is the best source for a replacement panel? -Dodge OEM part? -LMC Truck? -other? Thanks! :-)
I see lmc now offers a legit replacement top and not just a cover, but I have no experience with them, however I will say that some of there stuff is good and other stuff I have gotten is just cheap Chinese crap. that's what I don't like is you don't know what your getting until you open the box. last time I checked at the dealer they are not available. that being said a decent used one from the salvage yard was about $10.
Dam...!! I was going to replace my '95 Dodge Ram dash but not now...!! That's alot of tedious work and aggravation... btw: Has the replacement dash cracked yet..??
I can see why these dashes crack so badly. Way too many screws holding plastic to metal leaves zero expansion/contraction room. I'm going to leave a lot of them out on the reassemble.
well i just tried this on my 95 and the lower dash and around the instrument cluster broke all to He**...So now I am really screwed...SO be careful with this old sun damaged plastic.
on the first gens (81-93) the windshield gasket covers up the front dash screws so you need to pull the windshield of cut the bottom of the gasket off to get at the screws to pull the dash.
A good decent explantation of what to do Do you have an actual stat to finish time of doing this It appears to be an all day and about 8 beer time frame Any additional info is appreciated
