95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

My dashboard cracked today

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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
Victor's Avatar
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From: El Paso, TX
My dashboard cracked today

Well I got in the truck to get the kids from school and there is a crack from the front edge of my dashboard to the crease line that runs halfway down the dashboard laterally. I should have gotten a dashpad a long time ago but honestly I've never seen the plastic on a Toyota dash crack before like domestic cars do. Obviously this is depressing as I've been putting a lot of time and $$$ into the ride lately.

Anyone know of a simple fix? Is there a kit out there that matches the color of the factory plastic? I hate that whenever I look out the windshield now I see that crack reflected in the windshield. Any suggestions to fix the problem before I buy a dashmat would be appreciated.
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 02:10 PM
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The carpeted dash mats are VERY tacky IMO.

There is a product that is a dash overlay that covers your entire dash called dash cap. When you install them correctly they look exactly like the dash that they are covering. You can order them in specific colors. Here is their website.
http://www.dashcaps.com/mall/toyota.asp
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 02:17 PM
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I didn't see an application for my 2nd gen 4Runner. I agree that I don't like the carpeted mats but it seems that my eyes are constantly drawn to that crack!
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 03:04 PM
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From: Yavapai County, Arizona
I'm not sure how you could fix the crack, but I have one of the carpeted mats, I guess, and it's not to bad.. I probably wouldn't have bought it though, but its been in there ever since I got it(truck).
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 03:07 PM
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Yea.. Mine did that from sittinf pretty much all winter... Sucks don't it.. I guess you could try one of those repair kits to fill the crack, my hide it a bit.. I may try it later..
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 03:09 PM
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I always cleaned the dash with a damp rag and no armor all since I've read that armor all will cause cracking. Odd thing is that there wasn't any sun today. Just finally split open today. I am debating super gluing it shut while it is still a thin crack and then mixing some vinyl dye to put over. Won't be a great fix but will keep the crack from spreading and won't be blatantly obvious like the crack is now.

Last edited by Victor; Apr 15, 2003 at 03:29 PM.
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 05:51 PM
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Cebby's Avatar
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Say no to carpet. You can fix it with a fine kit from Eastwood
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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 10:12 PM
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L33T35T 4Runner's Avatar
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From: Fountain Valley, CA (so cali)
carpeted dash mat all the way. my truck came with this

and it's still on there. i also have a crack, but its barely noticeable. the mat doesnt cover it up, only part. i never notice it though
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 03:56 AM
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From: El Paso, TX
Victor....
Welcome to the sun city. Mine did it a year ago, and I still haven't got it fixed. But I know a guy in the new car business and he gave me the name of a company that repaired dash cracks quite a while back. It's hard to take a vehicle this good off the road, but I need to get a few things fixed on it. I'll locate the name and post it.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 06:25 AM
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Thanks Joel. I'm not out to spend a lot of money but its like getting tagged in a parking lot. No matter what you do your eyes are drawn to that new dent.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 07:17 AM
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Well I wrote to DashCap and this is the response I got:

"Thank you for your e-mail. At this time we only have carpet kits available for Toyotas.
It will be about two more years before we offer other interior panels for your 4 Runner.
Thanks again
david@truckinteriors.com "

Thats a shame but I guess our vehicles are too new to offer much of a market to them.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 09:43 AM
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Robinhood150's Avatar
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From: Wandering around Phoenix
Originally posted by PistonSlap
The carpeted dash mats are VERY tacky IMO.
Crap. And here I though I was cool!:pat:
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 11:48 AM
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i have a nice 1-2 inch slit on my dash. just bought the $7 repair kit from advanced auto, but i havent tried it yet. does anyone have any experience with this kit and is the kit from eastwood that much better for $30. should i just buy a TRDsticker??
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 12:18 PM
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From: El Paso, TX
I have a feeling my whole dash will be covered in stickers if I get any more cracks!

Last edited by Victor; Apr 16, 2003 at 03:16 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 04:04 PM
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From: SLC, Utah
Have you tried calling any junkyards? Why not just replace the whole thing? Visit yotayard.com and see if they have any slightly used dash boards.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 06:25 PM
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From: Parker, Colorado
Wow, be glad you only have one crack, I have three huge, gaping cracks. They are right there where that little recessed area is, in the center. Was like that when I bought it, never paid much attention to it, and no one else has either.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 06:30 PM
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Go the hardware store and pick up some jb weld. It's a mix that will repair plastic. The brand we use at work is fairly close to the color of a grey interior.
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Old Apr 16, 2003 | 08:10 PM
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From: Orange County, CA
Originally posted by Victor
I always cleaned the dash with a damp rag and no armor all since I've read that armor all will cause cracking. Odd thing is that there wasn't any sun today. Just finally split open today. I am debating super gluing it shut while it is still a thin crack and then mixing some vinyl dye to put over. Won't be a great fix but will keep the crack from spreading and won't be blatantly obvious like the crack is now.
That's strange, I used ArmorAll a lot in my Camry. I had that for about 9 years and no cracking. I didn't see too many cold winters (southern California) but it's been in the mountains and some really cold mornings no problem... is this Armor All crack thing true? Can anyone verify this before I clean my interior again?

As for fixing, I was up late one night and saw an infomercial for some vinyl/leather couch fixer. Looks a lot like that Eastwood stuff...
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 10:20 AM
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From: beautiful Troy, NY
looks too much like a band-aid in my opinion
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 12:48 PM
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I use Armor all now, and I have for about 8 years, in all my cars. No cracks to date. I will continue use
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