I finally gave up trying to find a simple way of fixing all the cracks in my dashboard. So doing what I seem to always do best, I dug in and took it way beyond a normal sane level. The dash was so cracked and brittle, so I decided I would rip all the plastic above the wood trim line, and started to rework the foam itself. While I'm at it i think I'm going to resculpt some of the contours and mold in the dash speakers since my grilles are badly cracked. I'll probably use spray foam or some other kind of foam to mold some of it. The dash was pretty much a goner anyway (haven't seen cracks that deep in a while). Will keep posted on how it comes along. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. (even if it's a reccomendation to a good psychiatric hospital for tackling this LOL)
-Zach

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1978 240D Auomatic
Custom Charcoal Gray, Navy MB tex, kenwood/Elemental/Boston/Aura sound,
Shaved antenna and emblems.

1990 Lincoln Town Car, Sleeper/Strip car in progress, 17.75@77mph.

Now is your chance to mold in some gauge pods.

The only gauge i've added was a battery gauge for my voltage and that was put in the round hole where my A/C knob was. I don't know what else I'd be able to add or would need to monitor on a 240D.
-zach

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1978 240D Auomatic
Custom Charcoal Gray, Navy MB tex, kenwood/Elemental/Boston/Aura sound,
Shaved antenna and emblems.

1990 Lincoln Town Car, Sleeper/Strip car in progress, 17.75@77mph.

As time goes on good used replacement dash pads are going to get really scarce. Plus even our good ones we have now are probably going to crack eventually.
I wonder if anyone has toyed with a real reproduction effort yet? Demand may just not justify the effort and cost. It almost would have to be a labour of love so to speak. I just examined a spare dash out in the garage. It is doable. Best of luck with your efforts.
The various covers and rugs availabl;e now unfortunatley look like what they are, just coverups. We kid around about these cars never becoming collectables yet I feel at some point they might be.

So whats the best method for stopping the cracking? I have little itty bitty ones and dont want them to continue.

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NC Benz
Fuquay-Varina, NC
1979 300D
1983 300D Turbo 260,000 Miles
1984 300D Turbo 345,000 Miles (sons car)
OBK #31
1998 Ford Expedition 5.4l (fer Haulin'!) 145,000
1973 19' SeaRay with 115 Mercury TOWER OF POWER!
Club Car Golf Cart 36V
Ex toys:
1967 Mustang 289 (First Car)
Fiat 124TC
1975 Honda CVCC
1980 Audi 5000 Turbo

I have always wondered that too. Its like with the windshield, but on the glass a little super-glue will stop it. It may be one of those inevitable PITA's. I don't know.
-Zach

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1978 240D Auomatic
Custom Charcoal Gray, Navy MB tex, kenwood/Elemental/Boston/Aura sound,
Shaved antenna and emblems.

1990 Lincoln Town Car, Sleeper/Strip car in progress, 17.75@77mph.

"303 Aerospace Protectant" This stuff is reputed too be good. Says on the label "to apply every 3-5 weeks for max UV protection". 16 fluid ounces is $15 at West Marine
I would think you'd have to strip off the Armorall tho.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"