Dash Panel Replacements

[Jarratt39]

So, I just can't take the bland red plastic dash panels anymore. They're like nails on a chalkboard for me constantly as I drive. I managed to find some launch edition dash replacements, that are black leather with the red trim, just like the rest of my interior.

I'm looking for some input on the actual task of replacing them (hopefully from someone with experience). I've seen a few videos on the difficulty of getting the console apart, and I'm ready(ish) for that. I'm just wondering if anyone has an overall experience they could share. Is it relatively easy enough to do with preparation and patience? or should I see what a shop would charge for it?

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[m-l_johnny]

Have you considered consulting with a vinyl wrap shop to see if they can do anything without taking the dash apart? Just a thought...

 

[b-roc]

It is quite easy. The 3 hardest parts (and none of these are bad at all) are
1) the left clip on the center console holds a little harder than is comfortable the first time that you remove it (Easier if you need to do it again)
2) correctly disconnecting the battery to ensure that the passenger airbag can't be powered
3) getting all of the clips to disengage from the passenger airbag (it is just a little tedious)

I replaced my factory dash with a leather wrapped dash too.

Things to consider doing while you have your dash apart
1) if you want to run power cords behind the dash, this is the time
2) if you are going to do anything with the factory antenna (e.g. change to a dual use cb and fm antenna), this is easier now too
3) if you are going to install a trailer brake controller, this also requires having the dash apart

 

[Hootbro]

It is not that hard. Just follow the videos and you should be fine.

I pulled mine to swap out with a painted set in about an hour to hour and a half. The hardest thing will be getting the air bag side panel and removing the air bag from the holder pocket.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ning-no-politics.23705/page-1632#post-1166415

 

[Jarratt39]

It is not that hard. Just follow the videos and you should be fine.

I pulled mine to swap out with a painted set in about an hour to hour and a half. The hardest thing will be getting the air bag side panel and removing the air bag from the holder pocket.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ning-no-politics.23705/page-1632#post-1166415

Nice job! It totally changes the interior. Looks far more "as it should" instead of the red.

 

[Zero_Accel]

Here's what I think is probably the best video out there in terms of dash removal, full wide angle view of what is going on, and no nonsense approach.

 

[Hootbro]

Nice job! It totally changes the interior. Looks far more "as it should" instead of the red.

Did not mind the red when I had my white Gladiator Rubicon. In the Sarge Green, the red just seemed out of place.

 

[Tank555]

I hated the red plastic looking dash on my Gladiator. I went to Distinction Applied, https://www.distinctionapplied.com/product-page/custom-dash-panels
It was pretty easy, just take your time, and follow the video, make sure you remove the secondary battery connection and check it, because that is what controls the air bag. But not a difficult project, and the results we awesome, every time I get in my Jeep. Basically you go online, order the color you want, they ship them to you, you swap them out, ship the old ones back to them and they give you a credit. Like I said, not really that difficult, just take you time and follow along on the video.

 

[TigerInFL]

another vote for Distinction Applied. great bunch of guys and easy to do business with.

my wife kids and says "we must be putting one of their kids thru college."

changed out the vent & dash colors on the Mojave. looks much better IMO.

 

[The Welsh Griffin]

So, I just can't take the bland red plastic dash panels anymore. They're like nails on a chalkboard for me constantly as I drive. I managed to find some launch edition dash replacements, that are black leather with the red trim, just like the rest of my interior.

I'm looking for some input on the actual task of replacing them (hopefully from someone with experience). I've seen a few videos on the difficulty of getting the console apart, and I'm ready(ish) for that. I'm just wondering if anyone has an overall experience they could share. Is it relatively easy enough to do with preparation and patience? or should I see what a shop would charge for it?

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