Dash Repair finally completed!!!

[dshock]

Well,

I have been looking for a way to repair the original dashpad in my FJ60 since I bought it last year. The previous owner installed a carpet dashpad to cover up the badly cracked original. It looked okay, but wasn't up to my standards.

I checked out all the plastic overlays that are available on the market, but they too were just not good enough. I wasn't satisfied that the investment would be worth it.

So, I had three objectives:

1) Have an original looking result that was color matched to the brown interior and looked really good.

2) Change the radio hole to a standard size so that it fit well and looked like it was intended.

3) Not have to rely on my own skills for such cosmetic work. I am really good with wrenches, but not with paint and sandpaper.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a cost effective solution, so I went off the deepend and tried Just Dashes. (justdashes.com). With a price tag near $1k, most of you will think that I am crazy. But, hey, it was a birthday gift from my wife!!

Overall, I am thrilled by the outcome. Given the price tag, my expectations were very high. Just Dashes was a little slow, and they seemed a little unorganized, but we were patient and the results were well worth the wait!!

Enjoy,
Dan

Before:

After:

 

[Dirtgypsy]

$1k??? yes you are crazy but you are a 60 owner.

looks great.

clint

 

[Qwaarjet]

Wow, that does look great..... but for 1k it better damn well look amazing!

Great wife you have there making sure your other woman keeps lookings tip top!

 

[smkymntn]

Looks great- 1k is a bit steep- personally the SOR dashcap works for me, but good on you for going all the way.

what did you do on your door panels- they look different?

 

[Trapper50cal]

Very Nice

Very noice!

I'm glad mine looks like that already (original)
saved myself 1K!

A good dash is an under-rated bonus, makes the view over the hood so satisfying!

 

[gaylon]

I think it looks great. One thing about modifying these old trucks... if it makes you happy and you can afford a mod, do it and be happy. You only live once. And over the course of a year, maintenance and mods are less than an annualized car payment would be.

 

[Trapper50cal]

TD

I think it looks great. One thing about modifying these old trucks... if it makes you happy and you can afford a mod, do it and be happy. You only live once. And over the course of a year, maintenance and mods are less than an annualized car payment would be.

True Dat!

 

[beaufort-fj60]

is that real leather?

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Looks Good!

 

[smkymntn]

I think it looks great. One thing about modifying these old trucks... if it makes you happy and you can afford a mod, do it and be happy. You only live once. And over the course of a year, maintenance and mods are less than an annualized car payment would be.

That is exactly what I tell myself when I am spending way to much on this thing. I think i have the wife convinced....at least some of the time.

 

[brownbear]

Wow! Ik is pretty high...but you have some very nice results. I also went overboard with my interior. It cost me 3500. But I have a very nice ride. I've spent anywhere between 10-15k on my truck and I bought it for 10k. So I feel I have a 25k truck that I will own forever. If I bought a 40k new SUV I would lose 25k in depreciation anyhow. So why not buy it and enjoy it. Classic rides is where its at IMOP.

 

[Moby]

Hot Rod mag (Aug 2008) just did a feature on Just Dashes restoring a dash for those looking for details on what the process is for this work.

 

[Joe_E]

That dash looks great.
I am also of the mindset that if you can afford to do it and it makes you happy , then do it.

 

[Tapage]

1k damn .. but sure you are happy with it ..

I just got happy spending 1K in lockers, gears or something like .. BTW have my 60 dash cracked

One day I will pay atention on it ..

 

[akarilo]

1K? Holy Mother. That's about all I have in my Turbo setup, but congratulations.

 

[hank14]

Very nice. Pricey, but nice. Kind of like $150 for one seat bottom foam. Your interior looks great! Where'd you get the steering wheel wrap?

 

[dshock]

Well, it looks like everyone agrees that I am crazy! But, I have to say that I am completely satisfied with the results! It looks fantastic. And, there was no other alternative that would look as good, fix the radio hole and match the original brown interior.

The door panels and seat covers are original as far as I know. I would love to have a replacement for the driver's seat bottom. It is in very good shape, but has a couple of repairs.

And, I have been watching the replacement carpet thread, closely, as I may replace it, eventually.

Thanks for all the comments.
Dan

 

[PAFJ]

The new dask looks great! Good to see you still have your 60. I remeber seeing it on ebay awhile back.

 

[dshock]

PAFJ,

Yeah, I almost sold it a while back. Given the fact that I only get to see it 2 or 3 times per year, it seemed like a waste to have it sitting the rest of the time. However, in the last 12 months, I have still managed to put 5,000 miles on it. Better than I thought it would be...

(I live in Shanghai for work, and only get to see it when I go home a couple times a year.)

Later,
Dan

 

[dshock]

I just opened the invoice in the mail. It wasn't as bad as quoted - only $825!

Dan