Dashboard cracked again

02 1500, the plastic top cap on the dash turned into dust and crumbles. I bought a new one almost 3 years ago intending to paint it and install. Got po'ed with the whole thing and did nothing. Last year I got a dash mat and installed it, looks ok and hides the missing plastic trim. Today I noticed on the passenger side corner of the dash running from the side defroster vent to the blow out panel for the passenger airbag there is a huge crack right across there. Just as clean a break as can be.

I'm sort of expecting the d-side to do the same anytime now. Last week I got the trim piece out to go about painting it and set it in. Seeing that this turd has yet to finish falling apart I opted to put it away again.

you are not alone , these have a near 100% failure rate. These dashboards have absolutely no UV repellent at all.
A buddy of mine has a 99 1500 that he bought new , he has so much crap piled on the dash that sunlight never hits it , still looks new to this day ( go figure ).

When you install your replacement dash , get one of those fuzzy carpet looking things to cover it, it helps. Paul

I have owned three 2nd gen trucks, and not one has ever had a cracked dash. When I read threads like this one I just scratch my head and wonder what it looks like when they do crack like people say, because I’ve never seen it happen yet.

The plastic dash crumbles and ends up with big holes in it.

Mine was perfect when I got it 5 years ago or so... not anymore. I got a glue on cap, but not sure there's enough to glue it to

I thought they would have use better quality plastic in there later years .

I thought the 2002 and up design was a better piece. (except for the 2002 2500 and 3500).

I have not seen this either. We just don't have that penetrating sun in these areas.

My '03 2500 did it, seemingly overnight. Developed small cracks on top. Never had a problem with my '06.


Tim

My 96 2500 V10 was perfect when I sold it, bought it new. My 96 5.9 Magnum I have now is perfect also. My 2000 was fine, but I aold it in 2004 so I didn't have it long. The 2001 2500 V10 came apart in sheets!

The dash on my '01 was perfect when I bought it in 2005. Knowing how bad these dashes are, I immediately bought a high-end dash cover that my truck still wears. I do have 1 crack up near a defrost vent, but it's not bad at all. I intend to get some of this windshield UV protective film installed for the Summer heat protection, but because it blocks 99% of UV rays, it should help protect the dash as well.
https://www.tnttinting.com/image/new-legal-clear-heat-blocking-front-windshield-film

The only drawback I see to windshield tinting is it can cause distortion. Which I hate more than the hot sun light. Here in Texas I use a dash mat and it looks good keeps the sun and heat off the dash and is pretty cheap.

maybe not to the extreme the 94-01/02 did but they still fall apart.
front trim cap

That piece goes first. Like eggshells it just crumbles.

This piece must be a more recent development. No such a thing existed when I looked before. Anyone tried it ?

Dash cap cover

I had never heard of the dashboard cracking until 2 years ago. I pulled off a windshield suction cup off, and I hit my dash on my 2001. Of course it cracked. Over a year, the cracks had gone crazy. I figured I'd better do something before it fell apart. I ordered one of the glue on dash covers. It isn't a perfect fit, but pretty good. Had it on a year, and so far so good. It sure looks better than the cracked up unit and was a pretty good price. http://www.dashcoversplus.com/page/864510

LMC is the only company that has a quality replacement, I’ve replaced 6 of them!