Dash Warping - CEG Archives

How much do the new dash's run like the one that you purchased? And it's lifted in the front about 2-3 inches up, so I assume that that is bad and I would need a new dash?

A search for 'dash' AND 'warp' in the troubleshooting, general mods, and aesthetics forums turned up well over 400 responses.

ford lists the dash for $515 for a replacement. this of course requires you to remove the entire dash and components(which you would have to do anyways to fix the one in the car). I would try bill jenkins for help/advice. either way you look at it repair or replace means you have to take out the entire dash. If you you are not handy at this don't do it, you can break alot of trim parts and you need a radio removal tool(cheap to get). almost forgot you need to remove the center console also. hope I didn't forget anything else.

I'm not trying to scare ya just giving you the facts.

good luck!

Originally posted by skunk:
hope I didn't forget anything else.

A *lot* as a matter of fact.

I put the kit on last night & didn't remove anything...

Of course, the windshield is out of it tho...

Originally posted by skunk:
ford lists the dash for $515 for a replacement. this of course requires you to remove the entire dash and components(which you would have to do anyways to fix the one in the car). I would try bill jenkins for help/advice. either way you look at it repair or replace means you have to take out the entire dash. If you you are not handy at this don't do it, you can break alot of trim parts and you need a radio removal tool(cheap to get). almost forgot you need to remove the center console also. hope I didn't forget anything else.

I'm not trying to scare ya just giving you the facts.

good luck!

I thought the dash was a lot more than that. I know for mignight blue it is. For a radio removal tool most ppl just get a metal coat hanger and cut the ends off so you're left with 2 U's. Insert in the holes and press out. Everything else is straight forward. Just a lot of nuts & bolts and removing the wiring harness connections on the inside of the dash. It can be done in an afternoon. Otherwise get the dash warp fix. Best way is to have someone remove the front glass for better access. Maybe you have a chip that needs to be taken care of through insurance.

Originally posted by Driver:
If you want to fix it for sure then put in a 98 or older dash. I have never heard a problem with them. The problem is, to make it worth it, you will have to do the work yourself since there really is not much value left in these cars. I would just live with problem.

The 98 dash warps too... just in a different spot. Mine is warped right above the guages (facing the driver). So you're trading one problem for another.

Never heard of "another spot" warping on 98's.. they either (RARELY) warped in the same spot, or (MORE than likely) didn't warp at all..

Ray

i dunno why Ford didn't just keep the same design as the 98 dashes for the 99-00 dashes...wouldn't it of made sense??

Just glue that sucker down! It really is not worth replacing... Mine was warped about six inches at its highest point in the center. I used polyurethane sealant, c-clamps, and some small sticks to keep it even... Let it set for a few days, and VOILA!!!

Greg

Originally posted by Ray:
Never heard of "another spot" warping on 98's.. they either (RARELY) warped in the same spot, or (MORE than likely) didn't warp at all..

Ray

I've seen three different 98s with a warped dash. It happens right above the gauge assembly. It's hard to tell, since the gauge assembly holds it in place. It sort of lifts up, and the only way to tell if you don't know what you're looking at, is to push down on the "leather".

As I'm remembering doing the fix on my car, the dash-warp kit came with extra rivets to secure the spot I'm referring to as well as some spots around the glove compartment. It was in the instructions.

~Eric

Originally posted by Ray:
Never heard of "another spot" warping on 98's.. they either (RARELY) warped in the same spot, or (MORE than likely) didn't warp at all..

Ray

I beg to differ.

My dash:

Originally posted by CSVT1214:

Originally posted by Ray:
Never heard of "another spot" warping on 98's.. they either (RARELY) warped in the same spot, or (MORE than likely) didn't warp at all..

I beg to differ.

Yeah, my 98 warped too. Instead of pulling back from the glass edge, it pulls from the cluster edge. I fixed it with screws (instead of the rivets prescribed by ford). you might find my post on it helpful.

after:

I'm glad you guys "differ", because I didn't know.

I just hadn't heard of it.

Thanks for the pics.. those will certainly come in handy when other people ask.

Ray

Originally posted by louisw:

Originally posted by CSVT1214:

Originally posted by Ray:
Never heard of "another spot" warping on 98's.. they either (RARELY) warped in the same spot, or (MORE than likely) didn't warp at all..

I beg to differ.

Yeah, my 98 warped too. Instead of pulling back from the glass edge, it pulls from the cluster edge. I fixed it with screws (instead of the rivets prescribed by ford). you might find my post on it helpful.

Wow, thanks! Next mod: fixing the dash.

I had always thought the '98's never warped too until I saw CSVT1214's pictures on his. It was then I realized my dash is sitting up much higher than it used to in that particular location especially in comparison to pre98's (although I have no holes yet). It is also warped down by the steering column.

Wow, good info...i too was unaware of any warping on the 98 dashes....luckily mine hasn't had any problems.....YET!

Although it looks relatively easy to fix due to the location.

I have a 2000 that is warped in both locations. It is much worse at the windshield, but the there is also warping above the gauge cluster.

and to think people at SZ though us New Englanders were weird for using sun shades to keep heat and sun away from the dash...

Originally posted by Big_B:
I have a 2000 that is warped in both locations. It is much worse at the windshield, but the there is also warping above the gauge cluster.

mine came with the dash fix for the windshield area but it too has a slight warping at that exact same spot around the gauge cluster.

Originally posted by brapple:
and to think people at SZ though us New Englanders were weird for using sun shades to keep heat and sun away from the dash...

I park mine under trees or some sort of shade at work and home. If I have to park in the sun for a long time I use a sun shade.

Sunlight causes a lot of fading and wear on just about everything.

Does anyone have a link to where you can buy the dash warp repair kit, my dash warp is starting to really piss me off

Call your Ford dealer...

mine was one of the first ever built, no warping for me..

Originally posted by Goonz SVT:
mine was one of the first ever built, no warping for me..

That is because the workers got lazy on #10

But anyways good luck with the kit is about 60 dollars if I remeber correctly. My dad just had his dash replaced under that recall that is gone and now him and my mom have no problems....

I missed the deadline for the recall and found out that ford wants money to fix a problem they created. Sucks. Quality is not job one. My dash is warped, I'm talkin crazy warped....

Originally posted by Goonz SVT:
mine was one of the first ever built, no warping for me..

The dash on the '98 is different than the '99 and '00.

Originally posted by Marky:

The dash on the '98 is different than the '99 and '00.

Thanks for the newsflash, bud.

No problem. Btw looked at the pics of your car, theres an old woman down the street with car just like yours .... except it's not a SLUSHBOX.

LOL! Granny car jokes....you're really breaking new ground there.

Dipsh!t.

You are right, that was harsh. Just forget about the SLUSHBOX remark. Forget about it every time you drive your car.

I sincerely hope that you two know each other well enough that this is just playing.. innocently.

BTW: Marky, can you avoid side-stepping the language filter again? I'd hate for that to bite you in the butt.

Ray

Originally posted by Ray:
BTW: Marky, can you avoid side-stepping the language filter again? I'd hate for that to bite you in the butt.

Ray

*Psssst, Ray* it wasn't Marky, but I agree w/ amarv...

Originally posted by Marky:
No problem. Btw looked at the pics of your car, theres an old woman down the street with car just like yours .... except it's not a SLUSHBOX.

are you being that big of a dick on purpose, or does it come naturally?

A apologize.. Marky I didn't mean you I meant Amarv... But the warning still stands for him, as well.

this thread is getting a little rediculous. You guys can bring it back on track, talking about DASH WARPING, or its run its course.

Ray

Originally posted by Ray:
A apologize.. Marky I didn't mean you I meant Amarv... But the warning still stands for him, as well.

this thread is getting a little rediculous. You guys can bring it back on track, talking about DASH WARPING, or its run its course.

Ray

Lock it up! Lock it up! Buddy now I shut you down.

(to the tune of the Beach Boys)

I agree, it's time to end this thread.

Just to add, my 98.5 also has the dash warping right above the instrument cluster. It's pretty high, but doesn't really bother me as it's even and looks stock

looks like this:

except doesn't look nasty like in that little red box, Just sits high, which in comparison to other dash pictures in this thread, it isn't normal right?

Originally posted by hotdimmes:
Just to add, my 98.5 also has the dash warping right above the instrument cluster. It's pretty high, but doesn't really bother me as it's even and looks stock

looks like this:

except doesn't look nasty like in that little red box, Just sits high, which in comparison to other dash pictures in this thread, it isn't normal right?

The 98.5 model also had the same dash as 98, so it makes sense that you have the warp also.