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This company is in Van Nuys, CA and does a dash restoration using a thermoplastic vinyl. here's a 5:00 video showing what they do. If you got to their website you can see a gallery of dashes they've done, including a Toyota 2000GT
I've submitted a quote request, and when I get a reply in the next few days I'll post up.
My question to you, is what price limit would you be willing to spend to recover your pad? There is no right or wrong answer, everyone has their own threshold. I'm just curious.
I have the plastic shell that goes over the existing dash. Painted it with Duplicolor vinyl paint. The color match is very good, just not in love with the hard plastic.
The price of used ones is high because of a lack of options. If a viable alternative becomes available I’m sure the market price would shift. Just how much remains to be determined. And this company may be so busy that doing a 4Runner dash pad may not be worth the trouble. OR, they’re looking to expand. We will soon know😃
I had them do the dash pad on a 1970 Dodge resto I did 30 years ago. They did a really nice job on it back then. I think you will be pleased if you go that route.
Okay, heard back today. They quoted $800 for the safety pad and $500 for the inclinometer cover. $200-$300 for paint. Pricey, but in all honesty, in the range I anticipated for the safety pad. $500 a little steep for the cover. Turn around time was four months, which tells me they have plenty of work.
I have the dash cap right now. I paid $90.00 and painted it myself. The Duplicolor Gray Vinyl Paint is a dead match. Not sure about their red, blue, or brown. As mholme said, you can't beat the price, and better than buying a cracked one off eBay for hundreds. But I'd love to find something closer to the original. This was just a bit more expensive than I can justify.
Okay, heard back today. They quoted $800 for the safety pad and $500 for the inclinometer cover. $200-$300 for paint. Pricey, but in all honesty, in the range I anticipated for the safety pad. $500 a little steep for the cover. Turn around time was four months, which tells me they have plenty of work.
I have the dash cap right now. I paid $90.00 and painted it myself. The Duplicolor Gray Vinyl Paint is a dead match. Not sure about their red, blue, or brown. As mholme said, you can't beat the price, and better than buying a cracked one off eBay for hundreds. But I'd love to find something closer to the original. This was just a bit more expensive than I can justify.
SEM vinyl paint has a color range to match most interiors on these trucks. That’s what toyhead uses and mine matches perfectly(Napa red). I thought about repairing mine, or attempting to, then it came to me- Who am I kidding? I’d spend as much on filler, paper and paint than I would on a new dash cap and it still wouldn’t look nearly as good. I know my limits to detail work like this. It was a no brainer in the end.
Theres a seemingly decent dash pad/ inclinometer combo on eBay in red, being offered at $999, which is insane since it will inevitably crack at some point.
which is insane since it will inevitably crack at some point.
The irony is I have to cover my 4R crack free dash with a dash mat to keep it that way.
So if I have to keep the dash covered, does it matter if it's cracked or not? ... even better: if I don't know the shape of the dash because it is covered with a mat, is it cracked or not? Mmmm... Schrodinger's cat... from dash pad restoration to quantum mechanics!
The irony is I have to cover my 4R crack free dash with a dash mat to keep it that way.
So if I have to keep the dash covered, does it matter if it's cracked or not? ... even better: if I don't know the shape of the dash because it is covered with a mat, is it cracked or not? Mmmm... Schrodinger's cat... from dash pad restoration to quantum mechanics!
excellent point. probably why my cracked dash doesn't bother me. it plays no role in the functionality of the 4runner, and i have no plan to sell it, so having a perfect dash isn't important to me. i do care about preventing rust and breakage of "hard parts" and the chassis, because those directly affect the functionality.
I sold the dust-collecting cover, my cracked dash hash sharp edges, I like a smooth, soft surface that's esy to clean, and I enjoy making things myself. Reasons why I want to refurbish mine my way. But lower priority.
My red 4R has a cracked dash. I got for it the cap from http://accuforminc.com/ also. It's stronger than the OEM plastic panels, and fits perfectly, it's good quality product. I have to paint it and glue it.
Rock auto has whole dash pads for these trucks. Pick your color. $100.00
Link?
I have yet to see any replacement dash pads made or our trucks, just "dash caps" that give the same look as the original, but are not complete replacement dash pads.
01-12-2021, 10:31 AM
... even better: if I don't know the shape of the dash because it is covered with a mat, is it cracked or not? 
Mmmm... Schrodinger's cat... from dash pad restoration to quantum mechanics! 
