Stainless Dash

[Chris Smith]

Following useful info by fellow gassers, I think I am going to fit a stainless Leven Dash in my 95 Chimaera to replace the wooden cracking one. However, Leven themselves were very honest in saying I need to be careful what the dash would look like against my light coloured trim. For info, my trim is Doeskin Parchment in 1/2 hide/vinyl.

Does anyone have any photos of a stainless dash in a light trim car that they can send me so I know what it will look like?

Many thanks.

By the way - 'big up' to Leven for loads of great, honest advice from a very helpful company.

[Zippee]

Mine is magnolia with a blue top - pic on my profile. IMHO looks best when mated with the wood wheel.

[just_william]

Hi there have stainless dash with portland hide with purple bodywork. Bought the car for the colours otherwise would have gone for the 5.0L. Dont have a camera at the mo but if you email your mobile number Ill take some pics on my phone to send to you which will hopefully give you an idea. Or if you passing somerset any time of course
Jimbo

[just_william]

Yeovil rather than somerset to be more precise

[Chris Smith]

Thanks for replies. Will be in touch.

[Wildfire]

I have a Stainless Dash, on my Griff in flint Grey.

[andy-w]

I also have the stainless dash (Black interior) and i quite like it. Only problem i have found is that with the sun behind you you get a really good reflection from it which stops you seeing the speedo (really officer was i going that fast???) its a good excuse anyway

[j8 tro]

I have posted a pic of mine below, I know its a blue top but the bottom around the stereo is Light grey, it might give you more of an idea of what yours would look like, hope it helps.
Jay

[Chris Smith]

Looks nice!

So how has everyone found the dash to fit? Is it a relatively easy process?

[Podie]

Chris Smith said:

Looks nice! So how has everyone found the dash to fit? Is it a relatively easy process?

Chimaera dash is easier than the Griff to fit... as the whole top comes off. Radio panel is a case of taking the radio out as well.

It's one of those things that you need to take your time and spend a whole weekend over (IMO) - do a good job and it'll be fine for years to come.

Just a thought, but what colour is the car..? You could get the dash top recovered...?

[Fizzer]

Hello All,

Have just purchased a '98 4.0l Chimp....but it has a stainless dash, which I hope to replace with wood.

Does anybody want to swap...or does anybody have or know of a wooden dash ??

Checked Ebay but couldn't find one!!

Thanks Guys

[Chris Smith]

Sorry Fizzer. I want to keep my original if I change it. However, when I was last discussing the cracks on a different thread, someone said they were going to put their dash on ebay. Keep looking and one might turn up. Or try a specialist breaker. Alternatively, keep the stainless one as I'm starting to come round to the look!

[Chris Smith]

Thanks everyone for your replies (and some personal emails). I think I'm going to go stainless, but I am unsure about brackets behind the dash. For those that fitted a stainless one themselves, how much of a pain was it to transfer over (brackets for light buttons (95 model)), heater l.e.d's, radio mount etc? I was told that you have to take some of these type of things off the old dash and then glue them in place on the new one. All advice appreciated. Thanks.

[j8 tro]

Swapping the brackets is no major job, you just need some Aroldite (spelling???) (Very Strong Glue, set off by mixing with a hardener).

One of my brackets came off about 6 months ago (light bracket right of the stereo). Just removed the panel to find the glue had failed. Glued it back on and it was back in the car the next day.
If you get the alloy dash. Remove the wooden one, put them next to each other and mark the bracket positions on the back of the alloy compared to the wood. Horizontal and vertically (should be able to scribe lightly on the back of the alloy), then gently prise the fixings of the wood and replace onto the alloy using the Aroldite.

leave it over night 24+ hours and jobs a good en.

(eddited due to stupidity)

>> Edited by j8 tro on Wednesday 2nd November 10:40

[Chris Smith]

Thanks for the advice. Have ordered on, so lets hope it is as easy as you say. By the way, how did you get that fantastic shine on the picture on your profile?