2001 RAM 1500 Dash

I just purchased a 2001 Ram 1500 4x4. The dash bezel was damaged and when I got it home and took if off and a HUGE surprise was waiting. There was a dash cover glued to the original dash underneath and the dash top was completely in crystallized pieces crumbling away. After reading about this online it is apparent that Dodge had big problems back then with their plastic processes and would not have recalls since they were selling upgraded replacement dashes for around $1,000. Question: I have no top left of the original dash and most of the attaching points for it are broken or missing outright. Even the upper front edge of the gauge bezel is crumbling away. I was the dummy who didn't look closer when I bought this truck. Any fixes you can think of? I found new/used gauge bezels and dash replacements but I have no idea how in the world it comes apart and goes back together.

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its easy to replace the whole dash.. if you want a step by step pm me..

I have a complete dash from a 2000 for sale on the truck section

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While that works great with "minor" cracked dashes, the op stated that most of the attaching points were also broken away. Unfortunately that equates to a whole new dash assy and they are not cheap. I fell into this pitfall at work when we agreed to install a customers provided upper dash assembly. Removed the whole dash to find that most of the substructure was also broken/missing. Naturally he blamed us for the damage because he read at Diesel Truck Retards that the cover was what he needed.....and it must be true because it's on the internet!