Gen 1 Dashboard Replacement

[GotAViper]

I know this topic has been posted several times but I would like some clarification please.

I know that most people go the route of getting theirs painted but what year dashes actually replace it?

I belive the 1996 model is the only one that replaces it? and its black.. but I have looked at several 1996 cars on ebay and such, and the dash doesn't even look that good to me? It looks like a normal gen 1 dash that has been horribly spray painted black or something? Does anyone have pictures?

Is it not possible AT ALL to make a 97 and newer dash fit? Are there any ways to modify it so it would fit? or is that just completely out of the question.

Thanks!

 

[PittsburghRT]

I have brand new 95/96 black dash, glovebox door, consol trim, and door surrounds in my 94 and I think they look so much better than the gray. Here is a photo of mine, but the photo is not that great.

 

[got one]

I too am trying to find a way to get mine wrapped in vinyl...no success yet. Everyone I have talked to locally said it can be done...but wouldn't look as good as what I would want...go figure.

IF anyone else has made headway in this area...Gen 1 guys want to know...

 

[dave6666]

Tried Venzano for the covering?

 

[GotAViper]

I have seen in real life and in pictures of gen 1 dashes that have been "painted" and they still do not look that good to me. Im trying to find the best solution here.

 

[GotAViper]

I have brand new 95/96 black dash, glovebox door, consol trim, and door surrounds in my 94 and I think they look so much better than the gray. Here is a photo of mine, but the photo is not that great.

where did you get yours from? is it possible to get closer pictures? how does the paint look?

 

[PittsburghRT]

All the parts were new in the box from Viper Parts Larry and had a receipt of $1000 (not a recent receipt either). The guy I bought the car from gave me the parts with the car. The new black parts look great, but you can tell the smooth satin black paint is on there very thin and would scratch/mark very easily. I have my original gray dash and other parts if I ever decide to go back to 100% 1994 stock looking. You could get the same effect just by painting your stock dash parts for a lot less money.

 

[Pryme]

I have brand new 95/96 black dash, glovebox door, consol trim, and door surrounds in my 94 and I think they look so much better than the gray. Here is a photo of mine, but the photo is not that great.

Your shifter is like a truck shifter!!!

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What shifter do I have? I have no idea to be honest, bought it this way...also had the "carbon fiber dash" which I actually do prefer a lot over the stock gray!

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[2snakes4us]

I painted my dash with Krylon "fusion". it has a great spray tip and if you prep the dash and get all the fuzzy Grey off, the paint stick's great and is very tough. i put on about 5 thin coats.
to clean off the fuzzy Grey stuff, spray on oven cleaner and let it set for a few min. and then you can wipe off. then clean with water and blow dry with air. do not paint the black rims around the instruments and visors on rpm and speedometer. mask them off with blue masking tape . I think the black gives the car a better color balance. before there is too much grey.

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[PittsburghRT]

Your shifter is like a truck shifter!!!

My shifter has the MGW gripper shifter knob. It actually sticks out of the consol pretty low, but looks higher from the angle and passenger side shot. In case you didn't know, the MGW knobs can have the height adjusted.

 

[Pryme]

Your shifter is like a truck shifter!!!

My shifter has the MGW gripper shifter knob. It actually sticks out of the consol pretty low, but looks higher from the angle and passenger side shot. In case you didn't know, the MGW knobs can have the height adjusted.

Oh ok, that explains it. what shifter do you think I have?

 

[Pryme]

Why not paint the grey also? on the doors and counsel, I want to either paint them or have suede or leather put over the plastic. so its all black. I do not really like the light grey at all. IMHO. that's my plan.

 

[GotAViper]

How much and where can you purchase that carbon fiber dash kit from??

 

[GotAViper]

Actually i just found out from John at partsrack that Superiordash.com makes that carbon fiber kit.

However... its not a dash, its just peices that stick onto your dash? that makes me a little iffy???

Can anyone with the carbon fiber dash kit from them explain to me how it works? does it look good/professional? or does it look like its just stick on peices in person?

thank you!

 

[GotAViper]

Your shifter is like a truck shifter!!!

You must be registered for see images

What shifter do I have? I have no idea to be honest, bought it this way...also had the "carbon fiber dash" which I actually do prefer a lot over the stock gray!

You must be registered for see images

can you give some better pictures of the whole dash? and a farther back shot? so i can see how it flows on there? thanks

 

[got one]

Black vinyl wolld be the way to go...just help me find someone that can do it for us...

One guy did say he could do it...but it would cost 3k due to labor intensive, molding, etc....i told him to GHY...oh well.

 

[dave6666]

Black vinyl wolld be the way to go...just help me find someone that can do it for us...

One guy did say he could do it...but it would cost 3k due to labor intensive, molding, etc....i told him to GHY...oh well.

Tried Venzano for the covering?

 

[PittsburghRT]

I think a Gen1 should have a painted or leather/vinyl covered dash. Carbon fiber looks too busy in my opinion on a Gen1, but looked great in my R/T pickup.

 

[GotAViper]

I think a Gen1 should have a painted or leather/vinyl covered dash. Carbon fiber looks too busy in my opinion on a Gen1, but looked great in my R/T pickup.

I really wish there was an aftermarket dash for this car that looked good and I could just purchase. I dont want to have it painted, I am not happy with seeing peoples in person that they have had re-done, just looks like... its been "redone"

 

[PittsburghRT]

I know what you mean. The whole design of the Gen1 interior is basic and cheap. Remember the Gen1 is a modern Shelby Cobra, which also had a plain and basic interior. I am content with making mine look better with the 95/96 dash, every MGW chrome piece ever made, and a few ZAF pieces (pedals and gauge rings).

 

[Venomiss]

Maybe PM ab.

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-g...-you-all-carbon-fiber-parts-any-interest.html

 

[GotAViper]

Maybe PM ab.

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-g...-you-all-carbon-fiber-parts-any-interest.html

that woudl probably be an expensive route, since he would be hand doing them.

 

[Pryme]

can you give some better pictures of the whole dash? and a farther back shot? so i can see how it flows on there? thanks

The carbon dash is great looking, its fit and finish is excellent, it even runs down the door, when you open the door its covering that whole area, and has the red viper snake on it, looks awesome.

It flows well also.

One more pic......

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[got one]

Nope...but, that would be a good option. I'll give them a shout next week

 

[jasontiff]

Last fall I inquired and was told Jon B had a few 1996 dashes laying around that are a direct fit to a Gen. I. Cost was $500/each. I don't believe the console surround or the glove box was included in that price.

I just wet-sanded and primed my own dash (and assorted interior plastic pieces) and gave it to a local paint guy to spray for $50. I got some vinyl spray from Pep Boys for all of the vinyl pieces. Couple that with a new head unit and some MGW pieces, I think after going black I won't go back. Now I just need to rewrap the seats and I'm done.

Here is the sanded and primed dash:

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Here are some vinyl pieces after being painted:

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And here is the final thing. The flash accentuated a few fingerprints here and there and I don't have the handle bezels back on yet, but you get the idea.

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[jasontiff]

I'm not here to bash anyone, but I'm not impressed with the work on the dash. It's good, but in the tough places (like around the vents) it's sketchy. Take this pic for example:

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That's what a wrapped dash looks like. IMO, I think either painting or replacing the dash is the way to go.

 

[Pryme]

I am going to do the paint thing or something to the parts still gray in my car. what do you guys think of black suede?

 

[dave6666]

I'm not here to bash anyone, but I'm not impressed with the work on the dash. It's good, but in the tough places (like around the vents) it's sketchy.

That's what a wrapped dash looks like. IMO, I think either painting or replacing the dash is the way to go.

Oh man, that's bashing of the worst kind.

Actually, I've heard that brought up before about those vents. I was just trying to make some aware of Venzano, who has an excellent reputation with Viper interiors.

If interested in doing it, but concerned about what you pointed out, just call Tony and ask him about it. He's a nice guy.

 

[GotAViper]

The carbon dash is great looking, its fit and finish is excellent, it even runs down the door, when you open the door its covering that whole area, and has the red viper snake on it, looks awesome.

It flows well also.

One more pic......

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Is this the superiordash kit? Where you just stick it on your old dash?

Can you explain how that works? do you have to take the dash off at all? prep the desh before you stick it on?

Also i heard rumors that this thing does not like to stick that well? any issues with that?

can you tell in person it is just a stick on?


I think it looks great, espeically if you had the gray parts wrapped in leather or something not gray. Is there a reason your door handle surround is black? and not carbon fiber? it looks like the superior dash kit comes with that peices?

thanks!

 

[TexasPettey]

Jason, which paint shop did you use and how much did they charge? I have my car apart at the moment for a short throw shifter install. It looks like they did a nice job and I may want to do it while it's apart.