Need to replace cracked dash on '76 280z

[dkassulke]

Original owner and bought in Hawaii when in military. Now in Minnesota but traveled many a mile while in Army. Anyway the dash has one pretty wide crack as well as a very small one. I've read all the info about repairing, etc BUT I really want a new one or a very nice refurbished one. Yah, I know they are expensive but... I've tried the dash cover years ago but that just warps. Besides zcarsource.com or msa, does anyone know where I can purchase??

[SteveJ]

Some people have sent off their dashes to be recovered, but IIRC it was with mixed results.

Interior Auto Restoration - Dash Board Restorations | Dash Restoration | Cracked Dash

Here's another: Welcome To Just Dashes

[Rainman]

I had the dash from my '74 260Z redone last year by a company in California called "Just Dashes". The website is Welcome To Just Dashes.. They did a fine job using vinyl that looks exactly like what was on it originally. You can be the judge in these photos...

[rcb280z]

Rainman, can you give us an idea of how expensive it was? It looks great!

[dkassulke]

Wow, that looks great. Can I ask how much it cost?? I'm in Minnesota so suppose shipping kind of expensive?

[Rainman]

The refurb/restoration cost $1500 and they use the same dash you send them.. Lots of good info on their website. They say that "all the old foam is removed from the dash" but in reality they remove as much as they deem necessary to complete the job, but all the old foam is not removed as they claimed. I was a bit bent about this upon receiving my dash but got over it after speaking with them. This claim made on the website is not accurate and I suggested they change it to accurately reflect the reality of the job. Not sure if they did so or not. I don't recall what the shipping was exactly. I shipped my dash to them through a friend with shipping connections, and Just Dashes charges a set rate to ship it back to you when they finish but IIRC it was not excessive. Let me know if you have more questions.. Hope this helps!

Tom

[rcb280z]

Wow! guess I will stick to the dash cap.

[dkassulke]

Thanks so much. Company called zcarsource.com refinishes dashboard and replaces old foam as well as covers in new better material than in the '70's. Do charge $300 more and they take your old dashboard. Think I'm going to use them. Now need to find someone to remove and install here in Twin Cities area, MN. Was told it was quite a project.

[Virto]

Zcarsource is Arizona Z Car. I've bought parts from them with no issues, but nothing as big as a dash.

[zKars]

zcarsource.com and arizonzcar.com are different businesses run by different individuals.

I could be totally wrong here, but I suspect zcarsource offers the dash restoration service, but sends them out to one of the real dash restoration businesses, hence the $300 additional charge.
Just my opinion.

[Virto]

Blah, you're right. Since it's technically Z Car Source of Arizona, I've always associated the two. My error.

[cbuczesk]

I talked to one of the guys at Just Dashes at a show a couple years ago and he told me that they got their start by restoring 240Z dashes.

Chuck

[cbuczesk]

I talked to one of the guys at Just Dashes at a show a couple years ago and he told me that they got their start by restoring 240Z dashes.

Chuck

[dkassulke]

That's interesting cuz I've talked to them several times and actually was told exactly how they do it. Everything is rebuilt new on the dashboard frame. You have 2 options: have them send you any dash that has been refinished and you send yours to them after you get new one, or send them yours for refinishing. That way you know it will be an exact match and fit perfectly. No previously bent frame, etc that was not noticeable. Top material is way better than what was used in the '70's. Now I will have to ask them if they send it out which I just did and you are correct. They send out to a vendor. Do you who the vendor is??

[dkassulke]

I have decided to use Just Dashes!!