Interior made of recycled bubblegum???

[Ericshere03]

So, how many of you guys damage interior components upon disassembly?

I was adding the power plug in the bed of my truck and broke 2 clip holes removing the driver gauge bezel.

so I bought the passenger side dash plastic since this modern plastic can’t be glued/epoxied/chemical welded …

well, in removing the passenger side dash, I ripped all 4 blue plastic clips out of the airbag trim that covers the 2 bottom holes.

I then had to remove the center console and ripped 2 tabs off of the brake/transfer case shifter cover bezel (needed to remove the center console).

some of the interior is made of “TPO” and is gummy, like bubblegum (just harder)

I can’t help but wonder what it will be like servicing the interior after a few years. Luckily I was able to order from the dealer new plastics for about $300 bucks, for all 3 pieces… but what happens when the parts are obsolete and dried out with age??? I don’t see these interiors holding up.

for the record, I been dealing with cars a long time, and just barely finished replacing the heater core of my 2005 LJ. And after 20 years, I did have to fight some crispy plastics that cracked upon disassembly/reassembly …

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[NC_Overland]

Lay off the roids. Mine is very well put together. Now my 08 JKU had a trash interior. My 10 Xterra too. This is luxury fit and finish in comparison.

 

[Janster]

That‘s what the 3D printers are for…..

 

[Hootbro]

I hope you do not work bomb disposal in your day job.

Kidding aside, there is a finesse to it.

 

[Ericshere03]

i was very gentle, I was almost thinking a quick jerk would have been better than general persuasion. The clips just hold better than the tabs holding the clips, essentially the clips destroy the tabs.

I’ve delt with dashes (removing) old Datsuns from the 70’s and 80’s, TJ/LJs, 70s and 80s corvettes and yes JK’s … I felt JKs plastics were more rigid as are TJs, they do get brittle but repair is easy as they use ABS. I’ve just replaced the heater core on the LJ for the second time without damage, there were some self destructed bits I repaired but still solid despite the arizona

anyways, I think I’m done with mods on the dash, I picked up some “Islander Edition” white dash panels to match my white gladiator… hopefully I NEVER have to go in there again!!! Oh, and relocated the 12v plug (because the Mopar trailer brake controller). Oh

Anyways, just not confident in these new interiors plastics. Upon reassembly, I’ll be replacing the bastard blue clips with white just in case I gotta go in again.

 

[legacy_etu]

Yeah, I broke a couple clips on the kick panel piece under the steering wheel when I was installing my rear bed ac switch.

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