My dashboard (not the dash pad) has a crack straight down the middle, on the right side of the center air vents. It basically splits the whole dash in half. I can plastic weld it back but it would look like garbage, I would prefer a new or used in good shape. Will a 1991 dash fit my 1983? That is the only one I found for sale (and he wants 400$ to ship!!!).
Thanks

 

Start hitting junk yards, get on local face book groups, you never know when you'll find what you need locally. The plastic dashes usually are in decent shape, it's the pads that don't last.

 

Not many junkyards around here with Camaros in them that aren't destroyed. I called Hawks and they recommended repairing it since most replacement dash units would be cracked.

 

They certainly have seen more cars than me, but I've NEVER seen the actual dash crack, though I've not specifically paid close attention to salvage yard cars. -and I'm sure it happens. Obviously it happened to you, but...my point is that I think if you look, you'll find what you need.

 

I can't even find a junkyard that has a Camaro, every one I called said they scrapped what they had left years ago. I gave up when got to 300 miles away and still struck out. The three dedicated Camaro yards I called said they sold all their dashboards. I'm going to have to get mine off and see how a fix will work.

 

When you tell them dashboard, make sure they aren't assuming it's the dash pad.

Keep your eye on the local yards, some have online inventory of cars. If one pops up at a yard, get there asap. Even if the car gets picked through and the dash is there, people are dicks and will destroy stuff in yards just to break it.

 

This one came out of my 89 iroc convertible.Totally split in half.

 

The 91 dash has hemi-sphere gauges vs your round gauges. So that by itself is a deal killer, but there are other changes beyond that. That make it a little too much work for the "reward". Id be fearful of shipping one, the handling alone would probably crack it if it isnt to begin with.

 

So mine broke in half when I tried to get it back in, when I had it out to repair I found hairline cracks all over it. Several large cracks opened up while I was reinstalling it, its beyond saving. So either I need a new third gen dash or find out what else fits. I've seen new fiberglass dashes, I assume those are for racing where all the climate control and gauges were stripped? I've heard of 4th gen swaps but I don't know what would be involved in that swap. I will be using a Dakota digital gauge system if that helps.

 

Where are you located?

 

Western Kentucky, near Owensboro.