RichS 1986928

My plan was to pull the badly cracked dash out this winter and have it
fixed. That didn't happen. Spring is here and it's time to drive.

Has anyone used these dash caps I've seen advertised on ebay? They
are usually a 3 piece kit, 1 dash 2 pod. Obviously I'm not expecting
like new results but I'd like to know if they look significantly better than
the cracks I have now.

I know they need to be glued to the dash so removal isn't an option, hopefully
that won't make the final re-work more difficult.

I've found other posts but no close up pictures of the results.

Pictures from anyone that's used these would be Awesome!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...spagenameZWDVW

H2

I've got other things to do to my car before I invest in a leather dash/pod. My S4 dash is good...the pod is not. I've purchased one of these covers as a temporary fix until I get the car to where I want it mechanically, then I'll attack some of these expensive interior fixes.

I would, however, be interested in how best to install this. I've heard that one only puts silicone adhesive around the edge...about 1" from the edge to install. I've also heard that these covers tend to warp pretty easily...and I wonder if putting adhesive just around the edge, or all underneath, would minimize warping?

I figure that I can always take the covering off and go to a leather cover anytime I wish. BTW, the cover I bought looks like a good match for the original texture. I'll soon find out about fit, etc. Maybe it'll look good? Maybe it'll look like crap? Dunno.

Good luck,

H2

928SS

I had both for a while... the dash cap was ok, looked pretty good but you have to smooth out the original dash or it won't fit flat and will look funky...

the pod cover had issues w/the ***** not clearing the holes properly/binding a bit. never did get them to work right. finally just did a portier pod (not a lot of $$) and a leather dash.. leather doesn't seem to hold up in socal sun so well though/needs lots of TLC/protection or it's toast in no time.

maybe stucco??? ha!

Imo000

I had them in both my 928s. They are good as a cheap fix but they wil not look as good as a uncracked dash. However they look much, much better than a cracked dash. Go for it!

Shane

You have to be careful with them as the sun through the windsreen will warp them and they will look worse then a cracked dash. 928 International sells them as well.

JHowell37

Mine came with them installed. The person who installed them used some glue that doesn't seem to want to come off. I agree with others who have pointed out that the sunlight will warp these and make them look much worse then a cracked dash. One of the first "mods" I made to my '85 was to remove them.

RichS 1986928

My Pod is cracked badly as well, but because you can only see it through the windshield it doesn't
bother me as much as the dash.

928SS : What is a portier pod? Did you remove your dash to have the leather installed?

My main issue with this fix is my reluctance to remove the dash. It looks like a major PITA!

JEC_31

I put a dash cover and pod cover set from 928 Intl on my 86.

It was really hard.

It took a ton of test-fitting and trimming to get them fitting halfway decently. I had budgeted an hour, it took 2 days.

I used up a lot of silicone glue, probably too much.

The pod took the most work. The keyhole was an inch off, and the lip was all over the place. Lots of trimming. The plastic base material (they're painted) is black, so I had to touch up the trimmed spots with paint because I'm **** rentive.

When it was done, the dash and pod looked like brand new... to the completely uneducated observer. All the cracks were forever hidden.

It is a lot less trouble than taking the dash out. And you can't beat the price with a stick!

Unfortunately, I sold the car before being able to attest to longevity.

- Josh

928SS

pulling the dash is a bit o work but on the earlier cars its a lot easier/also easy to get to all the HVAC vacume stuff when it's out/clean up whatever else is lurking

http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/products/pods.htm is the place/guy... he will cross ship/give you a core refund and can do any color/texture/covering

I just had a vinyl pod done cause of the sun abuse it gets. prolly also a good time to ck those odo gears/clean all the connections/etc if you do a pod R&R

it's not the R&R work that's the bugger - it's all the WYIT's that you'll find/didn't plan on, etc... kinda like pulling a 20 yr old 928 intake for the 1st time or getting married

RichS 1986928

Whoa... what's with the getting married joke??

I've got 26 days to go...

Imo000

I also had a carpet cover on my '85. It looked really weird and sort of ugly at the begining but got used to it and later I didn't mind. It sure reduces glare to 0.

928SS

better pull the dash now, while you still can.... hahahaha

RichS 1986928

The 928 is scheduled to whisk myself and the Bride away... It's crunch
time to get everything running right... and looking good.

I'm going to order up a dash cap today and see if I can get it installed in time!

JEC_31

Be patient, have fun - and post pics when you're done.

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

ULpilot

I have the covers installed. JEC_31 gave an excellent description of them. Honestly they look really good if you are careful. The only parts you can tell it is a cap at the vent where it isn't flat on the original surface ( you don't glue the center so they can expand and shrink with different heat). The pod is 2-piece, and I was hesitant but where they join works really well and you cannot tell it was not original. The dash-button holes did need a little bit of trimming, and a dremel works well.
It does require you remove the pod partially- honestly that's really not very hard. I also did mine when the windshield was out. IF it was in then I expect it would be quite a bit more difficult but I don't know.
It has held up for one NY summer at least. However the car is usually in the garage. I use a sunshade any other time just in case. I've been quiet pleased- the color matches very well and you can't notice much at the glove compartment and center console. If you know it's there, you'll see it, but if it's quite hard to notice.
Just accelerate quickly, and take some fun corners and I don't think your passenger will worry about the dash ;-)