Brunsy3.0 wrote:Obviously have to remove all the trim pieces both top and bottom on the dash
Everything in the middle and sides of the middle need to come off. Instrument cluster needs to be removed. A-Pillar covers need to be removed.
Brunsy3.0 wrote:What else is involved? A lot of clips and screws I'd imagine?
Ultimately it's a bunch of snap-on clips and screws. You also have to detach a bunch of cables from holders, and you need to disconnect the passenger airbag.
Brunsy3.0 wrote:Did you just wing it or have a manual handy?
Part wing, part assistance from the Workshop manual. Looking back on it, I could have easily done it all by winging it as well - start in the centre and work out and back, referencing the replacement dash's screw points. Of note, you need to remove the glovebox and some cables latched behind it and the instrument cluster has two screws underneath it on either side of the steering column. Other than a couple of those bastard plastic push-in caps that require a proper tool or two flathead screwdrivers to pry out, the only difficult thing I had was disconnecting the passenger side airbag - the connector is simpler than it looks, and that means you'll spend 30 minutes working out how to disconnect it and then slap yourself afterwards.
Remember to disconnect the car battery before you do this.
Also consider that you will want to move the VIN plate that appears through the window on the windscreen, from your dash onto the new dash as well. You'll need to drill it out and rivet it onto the replacement dash.
Brunsy3.0 wrote:As for wreckers the local one closed a few years back and would only have old shitters and crashed 4x4s Darwin would be my next bet ill look into it but in the meantime I'll keep my eye out for a wreck
The dash is not very heavy at all (most of the weight is the passenger airbag, which can be removed first) - you could easily have a wrecker in another City courier you one. But if you go this route, make sure the wrecker checks the dash for slice damage from broken glass going across it before he sends it, or you'll have something else to annoy you cosmetically.
Brunsy3.0 wrote:Pre and post facelift interchangeable?
They're supposed to be, but I discovered in my first replacement attempt of a pre-FL into my post-FL that two screw points in the middle console area were ever so slightly different. You could probably get away without them, but I'm OCD enough that I exchanged it again for a post-FL to fit directly. Also, if you have a centre speaker, you'll need a dash with a centre speaker as well. In my case I now have a new centre speaker hooked up to nothing.
Brunsy3.0 wrote:Thanks for the info. Cheers
No worries.
I was going to procrastinate, but I put it off...