Dashboard replacement

[A. Barrozo]

I recently bought a new dashcover for my fasty, it's not a cap but a replacement. The cover is awesome but I can't get to install over my gauges. Has anyone had a similiar problem and how did you solve it. I purchased it through eissales.com and its a beauty but it's frustrating me and I don't want to damage it.

[Bobnotch]

It won't fit over the gauges, because you have to remove them first. Once you get them out, make sure the plastic rings come off them, as the new pad already has them in the holes. You'll find that these newer pads are actually for the 71 to 73 cars, and are a little short for the early ones.There are also some smaller screws that are located under the chrome trim. I think there are 2 on the left, and 5 on the right 7 total) along with the same amount of clips that hold the trim in place. You'll have to pull the glove box to get to the 2 nuts that hold the grab bar in place also. I hope this helps.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120

[EverettB]

If it's a complete replacement dash, you have to remove the gauges, install the new cover, then reinstall the gauges.

Each gauge has a clip at 3 and 9 o'clock that can be pressed in from the backside to remove them.
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[Fastmatt]

Everett,
How about a tutorial for those of us who have a dash cover sitting in the garage waiting to be installed? Any tips, pointers, etc. to help us from straying from the path of righteous (yet inexpensive) reconstruction?
Thanks,
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- Fastmatt
'67 Fastback
'68 Bug
'74 Van
'72 Ghia

[cupcakeman]

Would it help to warm the cover up first before installing it? It seems just pliable enough to do this.
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Tim ONeal

[cupcakeman]

What is a good way to install the trim strip back on also i know i am going to end up with a bunch of holes if i cant figure out how to correctly mark them
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Tim ONeal

[nik]

[Bobnotch]

Ok, here goes, beware though, as its a little long.
Unhook the Battery first because you're gonna have to drop the fusebox to get the fuel gauge out. Take out the clock first using Everetts method, then disconnect the speedo cable and remove the speedo. With the fuse box screws out you can move it (the fuse box) out of the way so you can get your hand in there to release that side while using the speedo hole for your other hand to release that side. Once you get the gauge free, unhook the black plastic connector from the gauge and finish removing the gauge. Now carefully remove the chrome trim, starting on the left side since its shorter and only held on with 2 clips. Now you can carefully remove the long piece (there are 7 clips on this side) so work slowly. Now remove the glove compartment clamp (single screw underneath), and the couple inside it. You need to remove it so you can get to the two 10mm nuts that hold the grab handle on. Once you have all of this done, now you can remove the 9 phillips screws that were hidden under the trim, and the 2 in the upper corners (71 and later cars), or the 6 on the 70 and earlier cars. Now remove the pad.

That was the easy part, the installation is harder since all the aftermarket pads are for the 71 and later cars and they are all about 1/4 to 3/8 inch too short both width and up near the windsheild for both style cars (I don't know why, but they are).

I start by postioning it where it needs to go, and then put the gauges back in to help hold the new pad, and to help align the pad. This is also a good time to put the grab handle back on. Starting on the long side, locate which holes are for the screws, and which are for the clips. I use a china marker (washes off with windex) to mark where they are on the steel, as most of the holes in the pad are in the wrong places. Then I mark the pad and make some small holes with a small scratch awl. Once I get the first 2 screws back in I continue to move on to the right until I have all the screws back in and the holes for the clips located. Then I do the drivers side, starting from the fuel gauge pod and working left. After all the bottom pad screws are in place, I try to work the dash pad back toward the windsheild and into the curved steel piece (71 & later) and insert the 2 corner screws with their plastic cups. On 70 and earlier cars, they don't get the other screws that were removed since there is nothing for them to hold. Now is the time to put the trim back on, start from the pods and work you way out. Also put the glove box back into place and put the screws you removed back in place. Then the fuse box screws and hook up the battery back up. I know this is a little long winded, but I hope this helps anybody doing a dash pad replacement.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120

[Cal]

While you have the dash pad out, it's not a bad idea to paint the area of the steel dash up near the windshield black, so that gap between your new dash pad and the windshield won't be quite as noticeable.
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'67 square

[A. Barrozo]

Well, my fellow VW addicts the deed is done and all your hints help make the the job a bit easier, I thank you. Removing the gauges was my hang up but once removed it went on pretty easy except the pad I purchased didn't have the tabs needed to screw it to the metal, it just had a ridge between the glass and the pad plus it was a wee bit not wide enough so the bottom screws ripped the pad. What I had to end up doing was to remove the metal strips from the old pad and make some custom clips to hold it down. I fear with the heat it will warp the pad so I'm going to have to modify it down the road. It does look good, even though mounting it was a pain in the kester. If you purcahse a pad make sure it has the tabs that you secure it to the dash with are part of the mold and if it had metal in it like the orignal it will be a piece of cake and don't throw the other one away until your done. Later all and thanks again.

No longer the Dashboard Dummy
Now the Dashboard Guru

[Bobnotch]

Yup, it sounds like you have the new replacement style pad on your ealier car that I mentioned. I'm glad if I was able to help you out. I even mentioned that the new pads seem to be a little short in more than one place. I don't know why this is, but I'd like to see it fixed. Any manufactures out there listening?
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120

[josh]

The new dashes just arent built like they used to be. The screws ripped mine a little too. Good news though, it hasn't warped yet. I put a windsheild shade in most of the time in warm weather wich might help. Someone told me that you can have the old dash frame rebuilt with new rubber but I don't know who would do this. I really don't understand why they put that lame speaker grill in too. It looks goofy, does'nt even resemble the stock one and I doubt it is used by many people. Who the hell puts a speaker in a non stock dash? One tip. After I changed my dash the gauges started having groundin problems. Cars before 1969 I think didn't have ground wires. I would recommend anyone who has the early gauges out make provisions for ground wires. I did and my electrical problems dissapeared.

[josh]

OH One more thing. What Iv'e heard about the small size is it is caused by the lack of original vw dies. The dies used now were cast from a vw dash so they're exactly the same size as the dash. They should be a bit larger because the material shrinks after it is cast.

[A. Barrozo]

Hey Guys,
I want to thank you again, I never dreamt I'd receive the out pouring of support I got from my inquiry, it was truely amazing. I read some of the other questions in the forum and you renewed my faith in the Type Three VW owners brotherhood. I was about to give up on my Fasty due to a common complaint, the lack of parts and manufactures interest, but finding this website has got my juices flowing once again. I'll post some pixs of my ride in the future and hope to talk with you all or even meet you at a ralley some time down the road.
X-Dashbaord Dummy(So. Cal.)

Type III Rule

PS: Does anyone still run with fuel injection like I do or are you all carbs. heads. Is there a good switch without modification to the engine compartment that won't cost my left nardly?

[A. Barrozo]

Hey Guys,
I want to thank you again, I never dreamt I'd receive the out pouring of support I got from my inquiry, it was truely amazing. I read some of the other questions in the forum and you renewed my faith in the Type Three VW owners brotherhood. I was about to give up on my Fasty due to a common complaint, the lack of parts and manufactures interest, but finding this website has got my juices flowing once again. I'll post some pixs of my ride in the future and hope to talk with you all or even meet you at a ralley some time down the road.
X-Dashbaord Dummy(So. Cal.)

Type III Rule

PS: Does anyone still run with fuel injection like I do or are you all carbs. heads. Is there a good switch without modification to the engine compartment that won't cost my left nardly?

[Bobnotch]