top pad 914, dash Options

[Medtner3]

Is it possible to remove the top dash pad without removing the entire dash structure?
Wondering if I just removing the dash pad, upper and lower and side bar and instrument panel can you replace the vinyl and foam backing on the top pad

If not does anyone have a reference or link to showing this being replaced in the car most of the videos show the dash pad replacement but not the top pad

[mepstein]

Yes, everything you described is very possible to do. The dash pad has 10 screws and some of them are in finicky locations. Have a picture of the bottom of the pad in front of you so you know where the studs are located.

[Medtner3]

Yes, everything you described is very possible to do. The dash pad has 10 screws and some of them are in finicky locations. Have a picture of the bottom of the pad in front of you so you know where the studs are located.

Yes I removed both lower and upper pad and gauges but what about the top piece that is just foam and vinyl? It looks like it needs glue and the top vinyl wraps around the entire back of dash between the windshield

Can the top vinyl be replaced? How do you loosen the entire dash not the pads which I already removed to glue the vinyl top piece down?

[fiacra]

Yes, everything you described is very possible to do. The dash pad has 10 screws and some of them are in finicky locations. Have a picture of the bottom of the pad in front of you so you know where the studs are located.

Yes I removed both lower and upper pad and gauges but what about the top piece that is just foam and vinyl? It looks like it needs glue and the top vinyl wraps around the entire back of dash between the windshield

Can the top vinyl be replaced? How do you loosen the entire dash not the pads which I already removed to glue the vinyl top piece down?

I'm not someone who has actually tried to do this, so take this with that in mind, but my understanding is you have to remove the dash structure in order to replace the vinyl. I'm getting ready to replace my dash as well and just watched the Brad Mayeur/914Rubber video and you can clearly see that the vinyl wraps around the dash frame in such a way that you would have to remove it to replace the vinyl. If you are just going to glue it back down I think you could do that without removing the dash structure. Here's that video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZPoQd_V-6o

Ian Karr also has a video on a full dash refresh. This is where you can see replacement of the top pad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP1IA944nyM

Here's his video on how to remove the dash structure, starting at about the 3 minute mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6B3gKW9nPA

[Medtner3]

Yes, everything you described is very possible to do. The dash pad has 10 screws and some of them are in finicky locations. Have a picture of the bottom of the pad in front of you so you know where the studs are located.

Yes I removed both lower and upper pad and gauges but what about the top piece that is just foam and vinyl? It looks like it needs glue and the top vinyl wraps around the entire back of dash between the windshield

Can the top vinyl be replaced? How do you loosen the entire dash not the pads which I already removed to glue the vinyl top piece down?

I'm not someone who has actually tried to do this, so take this with that in mind, but my understanding is you have to remove the dash structure in order to replace the vinyl. I'm getting ready to replace my dash as well and just watched the Brad Mayeur/914Rubber video and you can clearly see that the vinyl wraps around the dash frame in such a way that you would have to remove it to replace the vinyl. If you are just going to glue it back down I think you could do that without removing the dash structure. Here's that video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZPoQd_V-6o

Ian Karr also has a video on a full dash refresh. This is where you can see replacement of the top pad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP1IA944nyM

Here's his video on how to remove the dash structure, starting at about the 3 minute mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6B3gKW9nPA

Outstanding! I loosened the entire dash structure and Ian Carr's video helped me find some of the screws. I also talked to Dr 914 and he recc'd dropping the steering column which is held by four allen bolts. They were all seized of course but got them out by hammering in a T40 H torx bit and used 1/2"drive rachet for leverage.

[bkrantz]

Yes, everything you described is very possible to do. The dash pad has 10 screws and some of them are in finicky locations. Have a picture of the bottom of the pad in front of you so you know where the studs are located.

Yes I removed both lower and upper pad and gauges but what about the top piece that is just foam and vinyl? It looks like it needs glue and the top vinyl wraps around the entire back of dash between the windshield

Can the top vinyl be replaced? How do you loosen the entire dash not the pads which I already removed to glue the vinyl top piece down?

The vinyl and thin pad can be replaced, and kits are available. But the dash has to be on the workbench.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Is it possible to remove the top dash pad without removing the entire dash structure?
Wondering if I just removing the dash pad, upper and lower and side bar and instrument panel can you replace the vinyl and foam backing on the top pad

If not does anyone have a reference or link to showing this being replaced in the car most of the videos show the dash pad replacement but not the top pad

just drop the bottom dash and instrument cluster and radio then the plastic studs are accessible