QuestionWell what I am trying to do is replace the old with some sort of new neon lighted dash panel, also replace the old cracked dash. I was not sure if it would have to be custume made out of plastic modeling or if there was some after market company that would make such a thing. I know that I can replace each gauge, but I was looking for a more modern neon look, a custume look that you may find in one of the hot rod magazines.-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a 1991 camero Z28 and I would like to replace the dash and instrument pannel. I have been unable to find anything on this matter. Any help would be apprecaited.
Answer -
Larry,
Sorry, but I'm not clear if your problem is finding out how to do it, or finding the replacement parts.
If it's how to do it, I suspect the most you'll find is information on how to remove and replace a few major items, like the speedometer, the heater core, etc. This kind of information is in shop manuals, Chilton and Haynes manuals, etc.
Most do-it yourselfers don't tackle what you're proposing. Well, most don't, but I have. I replaced the interior/dash on an '85 Mercedes 500SEC coupe. It was basically my making a record of the order and how things came out and replacing them in the reverse order. Patience is the key with interior parts, many are plastic, and they don't like to be pried, shoved, squeezed and manhandled.
As for finding parts. I suspect the answer's going to be at salvage/wrecking yards, unless you're looking for some kind of custom set-up. Buying replacements, if they were available from the dealer would likely be very expensive.
Write back to me using the follow-up feature of All-experts and let's explore your ideas further.
Dave
Answer******************
Larry,
Well, my wife found a couple interesting sites, not exactly for Camaros, but there may be some helpful resources here. Good luck with your project.
http://www.justdashes.com/index_home.htm
http://www.petesfab.com/
Dave
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Larry,
The answer may be that to get it the way you want it, it'll be a do-it yourself effort.
I know that all those custom cars you see in glossy magazines that show off custom dashes couldn't ALL be do-it yourself projects, so I've asked my wife to do a little research to find if any body shops, custom car makers, or interior shops advertise this service. When she finds some contacts I'll pass them on. Because of the highly custom nature, this will be at the highest tip of the cost pyramid.
One other thing to consider is adapting some ideas from the Honda/Subaru/Mitsubishi crowd who seem to be deep into cutomizing their street cars. I'd get a couple "tuner" magazines and check out the ads for trick stuff...you'll have to do some custom fitting but maybe you can get some pieces to be the core of your new dash.
As soon as my wife, the internet guru, finds some names, I'll pass them on.
Dave
