dashboard replacement progress
 

I thought i would share with you all how my dashboard replacement is going. I started at about 8:30, and removing the dash went VERY smoothly, so smoothly that i wondered if the project would take as long as I thought. Well that was just about the only part that went smooth. I ran into my first major problem when i couldn't figure out how to install the acc vacuum diaphram rubber inserts, and i mutilated one trying. I had to make an emergency run to pick up a used one (ugh, i hate used rubber parts...),but i simply had no other choice. Got home, on with the installation. The next major problem came with the a/c vent system. For a relatively simple design, they sure made it hard as hell to put back together. Took three times of putting the dash in/taking it out to get it right(sort of). What ended up working was when i took the vents out of the dash, hooked them up without the dash being inside the car, and then putting the dash into place and securing the vents. Thank God someone invented a 90* phillips head screwdriver. It took me all of one hour to get the car completely apart, and took me 6 hours to get it "somewhat" back together. I left off at about 330 to go to work, and the glovebox still needs to be completely assembled,the wood around the gearshift installed, the acc unit installed, the speakers installed, the wood around the acc unit installed, the kickpannels(for lack of a better word, i guess its the bottem half of the dash?) instaled, and a good coat of vynlex applied. Overall, i'm very pleased. The burlwood looks beutifull, and the dash looks very nice compared to my old cracked one. If at this point i had to say whether i would do it again or not, the answer would be no. I should have gone for the coverlay, but this does look better i guess, and it's done the correct way, but man! what a pain!!! I can't post pictures because they are too large, any way to reduce them??
Ryan

TxBill has been generous enough to put the pictures on his sight so i can show them. The first picture is where i left off last night on the car
http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/ryan1.jpg

This next picture was taken when i fineally figured out i had to hook up the a/c vents without the dash being in.
http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/ryan2.jpg


This another picture taken of the car being apart. IF you look closely, you can see the steering column had to be dropped, and you can also see the rubber boot of the a/c vents.
http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/ryan3.jpg

This is a picture of what my dash USED to look like, lookes pretty bad eh?
http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/ryancrackeddash.jpg

And finally, these are just some misc parts laying around, they either have been taken out or still need to go in.

http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/ryanparts.jpg

yup, sure is. The dash can't come out without dropping the column. I was able to leave the steering wheel on that way as well, but even with it off the dash still wouldn't be able to clear the combo switch w/out dropping it. All it was is two 13-14mm bolts.
RYan

ITS DONE!!! YES!!!
 

dashboard replacement is completed, and everything works!!!! I didn't gain any sqeaks/rattles, and i even got rid of one(thats unusal for me....:rolleyes: ) The new dash makes the car look sooooo much better, and the burlwood just adds to it on top of that. This is one of the greatest feelings of accomplishment i've ever had by doing something like this. I Can't wait to get the car re-painted and get rid of the other MINOR problems!
Ryan

wait just a minute on that coverlay comment. WHEN, it cracks again? lets use the word IF it cracks again. I'm going to be using sunshades all the time and once i'm up at college i'm getting a car-cover. The car can think of enough things to break without our permisssion, lets not imply that it's ok for it to break :D :rolleyes: however, IF it cracks again, i completely agree, i'm going with the coverlay. hehehe
Ryan

finished product pictures
 

http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/finished2.jpg

http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/finished3.jpg


http://users.ev1.net/~shadra/car/ryan4.jpg
just thought i'd throw in a picture of my car

Great job Ryan! :D

Good job Ryan. It look superb! I've been there before. I've removed the dash in both my 300D and 190E two times on each car! Those vent tubes are a bugger.

thanks for the praise guys. I think one of my vent adjustment cables came off again, and in order to fix it i'd have to pull the dash(again!!!:eek: ) so needless to say, i'm just gonna rig it open. The vent is the far left vent for the driver, and i have never had it anything but open in the 8 months i've owned the car. The car feels almost like "new" inside now, i'ts amazing. And i still cant get over how awesome the burlwood looks. Thanks to everyone that helped me get this done, it sure made it alot easier.
thanks :D
Ryan

Ryan, and mplafleur,

Ryan that was quite the job to undertake over a weekend when the parts availability is severely diminished. Great Job! I am now thinking I might try the same on my 1986 190E 2.3-16, which is the question I have for mplafleur. How much of a job is this on a 190? I have a Euro car, with the simple, manual a/c controls (move the lever to the right if you want it cooler in the car) from the factory. The rest of the dash arrangement is the same as a US 190, I believe. But regardless of the US vs. Euro details, how much of a job is it to get the dash out and a new one in? Where might I get some instructions on the procedure to assess before I jump in (not sure I have the same gut content as Ryan). Thanks, Jim

Jim, it isnt a fun job, not even a little bit. This is coming from someone who takes things apart/fixes them when he's bored too, and this just wasn't fun. Period. If your dash is just cracked i highly recomend a coverlay. From what i've heard they look great and install in 1/2 an hour. If i had it to do over again i would choose the coverlay.
Ryan

Great Job
 

RG,

Job well done!!!!!!

Your plan to use a sunshade is right on target, and my dad and now I use Maguires vinyl protectant on my 1977 300D. Mine is 25 years old, spent 2/3 of it's life in Florida and doesn't have a crack in it.

I'm enjoying the pics and trying to eyeball where the ACC vacuum actuators are. I'm going to try to swap out as many as I can on mine this spring......

JCD

Just curious Ryan, did you replace any lights or vacuum doo-dads while you were in there? I've got vacuum leaks coming from several sources and think I may try to get the dash off this spring and just replace every vacuum related part there is. I'll make sure my motorcycle's running first so I have a few days to do the job right without being stranded.