No. Just go order one and be happy a vendor took the risk to make these, because our other alternative is twice the price. I just got one. Its bitchin.
Aftermarket FJ40 Dash Pad
- Thread starter fjgoober
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Just installed one and I love it. Logo and all.
just ordered, thx!
Are there instructions on how to install this? I bought one too but I've heard nightmares about having to push the windshield forward and removing the top. There's got to be an easier way to install this. Anybody have a video or just share what you did to pull the old one off and install the new FJ40DASH? Any tips or tricks are really appreciated!!!!
- Thread starter
- #445
I ran across a YouTube video that shows how to take it off and put it on with the top on. I believe I posted a link to it on this thread somewhere. It's been years ago though.
I will say that it was a bit difficult to install the lower screws as the FJ40dash seemed to have “squeezed” in the center vs. the shape of the factory one. Hard to describe how i was able to pull the dash into place, but it was flexible enough to manipulate with a plastic body trim removal tool and get the screws installed. Still totally happy with the product, i actually have a 2nd one waiting for installation into my ‘69.
I suggest ordering the screws and spacers from Toyota:
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Thanks EWheeler. Your new dash looks great! I'll push ahead with the install soon.
I used the plastic auto body trim tool (purchased from amazon) along the bottom edge to pull the dash downward enough in order for the holes in dash pad to line up with the holes in dash panel. The two outter screws went in pretty easy, it was the middle three that were a real bear. I was really worried i was going to scratch the paint all to hell trying to get those three middle screws lined up and installed, but once i used that trim tool it made it much easier and i got it done without any scratches!
Second one from the left here is the tool i used:
Amazon product ASIN B08BJYW13C
If you actually look closely at the second photo, you can see how far off the holes are, the holes in the dash panel are below the bottom edge of the dash pad. I inserted the screws just to give a visual reference (silver color) of where the holes in the pad are in relation to the mounting holes. I had to "stretch"/pull the dash downwards to line these holes up with the plastic tool in order to get the screws started.
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Engineer8000
SILVER Star
Looking at post 442, it doesn't look like your pad is fully seated in comparison. Or does the bottom need to be pulled down? I installed an OEM pad recently and it went right in without any pulling/stretching required.
Are you asking if the pad is fully seated into the retaining angle up top? If so, yes it is. If you're referring to my comment about the aftermarket unit being "tighter" than the OEM pad, I don't have a photo, but noticed this was the case when I was installing the steel retaining strip to the aftermarket dash prior to installation into the truck. It is NOT the same shape as the OEM pad, it is significantly tighter than OEM. I have another aftermarket FJ40DASH pad in the box waiting for install into my '69, I'll try to get some photos next to my stock pad to show what I mean. Not a knock on the product, still half price of an OEM Toyota dash and appears to be much more durable, but its something I wanted to bring to light so that others may be aware and not get frustrated when they try to install.
Hey everybody, I just ordered and installed a dash pad and lower knee savers as well. They went into my 1982 non-USA FJ 45 Troopy.
All of the lower pads went in perfect holes lined up and everything was great.
Regarding the dash pad itself with the windshield in place I was able to put it loosely first and saw that challenge you were talking about the center portion of the dash does pinch together such that when it’s aligned with the retraining tabs on top the new dash pad holes are close to an inch above the dash holes
Sorry I couldn’t take any videos but what I did was drill the holes for the threaded knobs on each end a little larger than normal about 3/8 of an inch so that I had some play. Then I chased all of the Dash threaded holes to make sure the treads were nice and clean because you don’t want to be screwing around with a messed up thread trying to get this thing aligned.
I set the pad in place and put in the threaded knob on one end and then started working my way to the center when I got to the center three holes I placed a screwdriver in the center hall and flexed the dash down so that I could get the other two screws started without an issue. They were threaded in loosely then I went back and threaded in the center hole without too much struggle. When I got to the far side that took a little finagling but I found by using that plastic trim tool I could gently insert it into the hole in the dash pad take it down and then screw in the final screws start to finish it took 30 minutes and just a little Jocelyn overall not too bad but very happy with the finished product
All of the lower pads went in perfect holes lined up and everything was great.
Regarding the dash pad itself with the windshield in place I was able to put it loosely first and saw that challenge you were talking about the center portion of the dash does pinch together such that when it’s aligned with the retraining tabs on top the new dash pad holes are close to an inch above the dash holes
Sorry I couldn’t take any videos but what I did was drill the holes for the threaded knobs on each end a little larger than normal about 3/8 of an inch so that I had some play. Then I chased all of the Dash threaded holes to make sure the treads were nice and clean because you don’t want to be screwing around with a messed up thread trying to get this thing aligned.
I set the pad in place and put in the threaded knob on one end and then started working my way to the center when I got to the center three holes I placed a screwdriver in the center hall and flexed the dash down so that I could get the other two screws started without an issue. They were threaded in loosely then I went back and threaded in the center hole without too much struggle. When I got to the far side that took a little finagling but I found by using that plastic trim tool I could gently insert it into the hole in the dash pad take it down and then screw in the final screws start to finish it took 30 minutes and just a little Jocelyn overall not too bad but very happy with the finished product
Appears that the top isn’t level, that is, curved with the middle high with right and left curved down? Is this normal for the product or due to having to bend it to align the OEM dash holes to line up?
@TLCJC ….It is all even noe now….bottom three dash screws weren’t in for that photo
Do you have a photo after the screws were in? Thanks for sharing.
@TLCJC ….will get one ASAP
i know your a busy guy but a lot fj55s need glove box covers............and dash pads
I installed my second FJ40dash.com upper pad yesterday in my '69 (first one went into the '71). I need to address/correct some installation issues I had brought up in a previous post. When I installed my first dash pad, I did so with the top on and windshield in place. I also had the aftermarket roll bar to contend with. I thought I had the pad seated into place and still had some issues with the 3 center holes being about 3/4" to 1" too high. Well, I installed the '69 dash pad with top off and windshield down and can say that it is very likely I did NOT get the pad in my '71 seated correctly. All 5 holes were within an 1/8" of factory holes in the dash panel on my '69 and I can see where you really need the windshield out of the way to install these correctly. Maybe you can get it right with windshield in the way, but I don't think the hole mis-alignment issue I brought up previously was a manufacturing issue, 99.99% likely hood it was a user error on my part.
That said, DO NOT USE THE SUPPLIED SCREWS FROM FJ40DASH.COM!!!! They are too long and will poke a hole through the top of the pad
Fortunately I had bought the OEM screws and had on hand, unfortunate I didn't just use them from the get-go.Long Screws, you can see the bumps in the material along down the line:
Fully seated and all 5 holes are within 1/8":
I installed my second FJ40dash.com upper pad yesterday in my '69 (first one went into the '71). I need to address/correct some installation issues I had brought up in a previous post. When I installed my first dash pad, I did so with the top on and windshield in place. I also had the aftermarket roll bar to contend with. I thought I had the pad seated into place and still had some issues with the 3 center holes being about 3/4" to 1" too high. Well, I installed the '69 dash pad with top off and windshield down and can say that it is very likely I did NOT get the pad in my '71 seated correctly. All 5 holes were within an 1/8" of factory holes in the dash panel on my '69 and I can see where you really need the windshield out of the way to install these correctly. Maybe you can get it right with windshield in the way, but I don't think the hole mis-alignment issue I brought up previously was a manufacturing issue, 99.99% likely hood it was a user error on my part.
That said, DO NOT USE THE SUPPLIED SCREWS FROM FJ40DASH.COM!!!! They are too long and will poke a hole through the top of the pad
Long Screws, you can see the bumps in the material along down the line:
View attachment 2985432View attachment 2985433
Fully seated and all 5 holes are within 1/8":
View attachment 2985438View attachment 2985439View attachment 2985440View attachment 2985441View attachment 2985442View attachment 2985443View attachment 2985444
Still don't like the look of the logo. lol Great photos and thanks for posting advices. Price has gone up this year? I might have to pull the trigger, figure a way to fill the logo with 3M Black 5200 and buy stainless steel screws of the correct lengths.
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