There’s got to be an answer:

andrewjllrar · Post by **andrewjllrar** » 16 Sep 2022, 18:40

My ‘97 wagon had been sitting for two years plus in the driveway— it’s up and going again and is running way too well at 188k miles to junk it
But, my DASHBOARD is unbelievably bad. Everytime an 850 comes into the jy, it’s bad too.
Today I hit a bump and my two center vents just fell off. I went to open the sunroof last week and the button broke into the dash. Everything is so brittle and breaking.

I looked on FB marketplace and saw a couple of ‘94 850’s with obviously refurbished dashes— like they’d been remanufactured.

The brittle plastic also applies to all front row interior trim and console.

It’s disheartening. Anyone have resources? I’ve looked at parts sites and can’t tell if it had all I need. I DO already have a good dash cover..

Post by **scot850** » 16 Sep 2022, 19:27

All P80's dashboards will eventually break. The plastic was never made to last this long and was under engineered to start with only 6 plastic mounts which go brittle and break. There are many threads on the subject and info on how to repair this. It is a big job but could be done in a weekend. If your dash is worse than that then I can only suggest a dash from more northern areas which don't get damaged by the sun as bad. I am no expert on 850 dashes, but may want to check a 94 will fit a 97. There were changes to 850's electrically in 95 and also 96.

Neil.

andrewjllrar · Post by **andrewjllrar** » 16 Sep 2022, 20:12

Sorry not to have done a research thread. I’m wondering about a 3D printer capability in making some of these critical parts. Again, I may be talking out of butt here…

Post by **misha** » 18 Sep 2022, 15:52

If you guys are talking about dash cover...'94 U.S market car dash will fit to '97 but '94 E.U market dash would not...because E.U market cars didn't had passenger's side airbag.

Post by **scot850** » 18 Sep 2022, 16:29

Let's clarify as per Misha's good point. Are we talking about the dash top section above the vents or the lower section which includes the speedo unit, glove box radio mount and all the air vents.

I think you are talking about the lower section which our good friend Robert has made several video's including the ones linked below. He has more so you can look them up on his Youtube website.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ro ... &FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ro ... &FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ro ... &FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ro ... &FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ro ... &FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ro ... ORM=VDRVSR

Once you have viewed these it may clarify your answers you are looking for.

Neil.

andrewjllrar · Post by **andrewjllrar** » 18 Sep 2022, 20:18

To clarify, my issue is not the cover, which I have a replacement for in excellent shape. It is all the black plastic.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 20 Sep 2022, 20:20

andrewjllrar wrote: ↑18 Sep 2022, 20:18 To clarify, my issue is not the cover, which I have a replacement for in excellent shape. It is all the black plastic.

I too am seeking a solution to the dashboard disintegration. I've been dabbling a bit with 3d printing the past several years. My ultimate goal is to be able to 3d print most or all of the lower dashboard frame. I've procured a consumer level 3d scanner. I'm planning to build a larger 3d printer but that is far in the future. Im in the middle of moving though.