Question on MSA's Full Face Dash Cover

[DatsunZsRule]

Hello Z friends,

I have a really small minor dash crack by my Vin plate. Has anyone tried one of these "Full Face Dash Covers" from Motorsport Auto? do they go on and look good and hold up good? I'm fussy when it comes to my Z which is why I thought I'd ask around first. MSA claims it has the same texture as the original dash

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/DC/50-2043

Thanks for any input guys,

[DatsunZsRule]

I did find some answers using the search feature too, so sorry for reposting this again. Any additional comments still welcome though

after searching I found mar2c's full face cap job. Looks damn good from what I can see in his photo

[hls30.com]

I wrote a detailed post on installing one-Everybody who has seen it after the install has been very impressed. The carefull completion of install details are what make these look great-NOT USING ALL OF THE ADHESIVE!

Will

Ps if you have questions, just ask!

[DatsunZsRule]

Thank you Will. Where is that post of yours? I won't get to it till late spring/summer if I decide to do it since she is still in storage for winter. Mar2c's photo I used above claims all he had to do was remove the steering wheel to install it with some, but not all of the adhesive like you pointed out. Doesn't sound too bad.

What about the "Datsun 280Z" emblem right of the glove box? Is the cover cut out there so the emblem is still shown?? Looks like his is?

[hls30.com]

I'll hunt dowwn a post a link to that thread momentarily,

the keys to the install are-let the heat of the day do the fitting before you glue!

On the dash emblem, when I put a cover on my 280, I actually removed the emblem and shaved the sides so it would fit the hole in the cover. Just be certian to keep the sides straight as you shave and use a spacer to keep the emblem from pressing into the hole. If you are careful, most people would be hard pressed to realize you covered the dash, and certianly those unfamiliar with Zs would never notice!

Will

[hls30.com]

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12725&page=2&pp=15&highlight=dash+cover

See post #18!

Will

[DatsunZsRule]

So what your saying is the original emblem has to come off because the cut out on the cover is too small?? and you need to shave the sides of the emblem to get it to fit correctly on the cover??

Thanks for hunting down the link Will. I appreciate it.

[Art@NissanSport]

Just a installation tip. When I installed mine on my 280Z I used blankets and stuffed them between the windshield and dash. It really helped to mold the entire top of the new cover to the old dash. The softness of the blankets combined with pressure being applied equally and at all times really helps it to adhere to the old dash. Plus I could leave it under pressure for as long as I wanted.

[240ZX]

For ease of fitting, as you will put it on and take it off a number of times for a really good fit, its best to remove the dash from the car. Upon final install, securing the edges of the cap is critical to a factopry look. You don't want to take short cuts on this upgrade! Also, with the dash out of the car, you can check and or replace any instrument bulbs that need it. Remember to just take your time and do it right the first time....and don't use too much adhesive as expansion and contraction will occur from temperature changes during normal driving.

Tom

[Jeff G 78]

I have a question about the full caps, since I have never seen one in person (here in Michigan there aren't many Z cars). Does the cap wrap into the gauge pod holes? If so, is there still room to remove the gauges from the dash with the cap installed? I always wondered how that worked since the gauges are not much smaller than the outer part of the opening at the face of the dash.

[justin260z]

I have a question about the full caps, since I have never seen one in person (here in Michigan there aren't many Z cars). Does the cap wrap into the gauge pod holes? If so, is there still room to remove the gauges from the dash with the cap installed? I always wondered how that worked since the gauges are not much smaller than the outer part of the opening at the face of the dash.

I have a late dash (1974.5), and it does wrap into the holes. But there is not enough room to pull the gauges out. I've always pulled my gauges from the back anyways, I dont even know if you can get them out from the front, even if you dont have a dash cover.

[hls30.com]

Tom,

I have never installed a cover on a pulled dash, I wouldn't think the extra work of Removal and Replacement of the entire dash would be especially helpful to the installation. With the dash inplace, you have a portable solar oven to heat the cover and help it form, and a convenient place and stable area to work on the dash. Out of the car, you would have to add and retain heat someother way, and though the dash will sit fine on its mounting points, you have to have a place to make working on it convenient.

the only clearance issues in installation are handled by removing and replacing the trim piece between the windshield and the dash, the steering column cover-and sometimes the steering wheel and loosening the heater control panel.

I have always changed the bulbs with the dash in the car-but then, I am a glutton for contortional punishment!!

Again, I haven't removed a dash to install a full face cover, so I may well be missing something you found!

Jeff

The speedometer and tachometer come out the front, the small gages come out the rear.

An advantage of using the bare minimum of adhesive is the cover is easily and safely removed to pull the gages, and because silicone adhesive is used, cleaning it up to replace the cover is a very easy two scond thing too.

Will