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Topic: Dash (Read 1303 times) previous topic - next topic

Dash

The material used for the dash on our 1993 U280 is a mess to put it kindly. I had planned on removing the dash and getting it re-upholstered but,the available $$$$ went to more critical areas. Anything left on the dash becomes "stuck". As a matter of fact, the PO left a clipboard on the dash and now it is a permanent fixture. I have tried to get it off but it looks like it will just rip the dash material.  I remember seeing some kind of "cloth"(?) cover on the dash of some Foretravels. Is this something that is available somewhere? Would like to cover the dash with something until the $$$ bleeding stops and we can get the whole thing redone in leather.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Dash

Reply #1 –
Roland,
Here is a start...
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14842.msg87855#msg87855
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Dash

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I will get the cover from Josie for now. Plans are to get the dash, driver and passenger seat redone in leather....one of these days. Gotta stop the $$$$ bleeding first. For now, Josie's cover will have to do.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Dash

Reply #4 –
Roland,

I had mine recovered at FOT and it was a couple of grand! Ouch... To keep it from dying a slow death from the sun again my DW covers it with a nice piece of fabric. It looks good and it's cheap inexpensive! We have friends in Denver that had theirs done locally for less than a grand and it's looks great. You might want to shop around.

Credit where credit is due. Dori stole the fabric idea from Carol Savournin. Thanks Carol!

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Dash

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
The material used for the dash on our 1993 U280 is a mess to put it kindly. I had planned on removing the dash and getting it re-upholstered but,the available $$$$ went to more critical areas.

Roland,

I hope Dave K. or Nancy chime in here - they had their dash and seats redone somewhere in AZ (along with the valances) and all came out great. 

And I seem to recall Brett and Dianne W. redid the dash in Roamie themselves.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Dash

Reply #6 –
Yes, when we bought new driver and passenger seats from Flexsteel, we ordered a couple of extra yards of the same Ultrasuede and recovered the dash ourselves.  Removed the old cover and padding from the "front section".  Cut a new piece of luan (thin plywood) for the front section. Covered it and glued it in place.  Removed and recovered the hinged section.

Would NEVER cut out the OE front piece of plywood-- it is structural and by using slightly thinner padding, you could never tell the new front area was on a "built up" piece.

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Dash

Reply #7 –
Lots of good ideas here. Think I like Brett's approach. I thought maybe my DW and I could have the hinged portion done but couldn't figure out what to do with the very front section where the defroster registers are. Brett always seems to have elegant solutions. Now to find someone to redo at a reasonable cost.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Dash

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Roland,

I hope Dave K. or Nancy chime in here - they had their dash and seats redone somewhere in AZ (along with the valances) and all came out great. 

And I seem to recall Brett and Dianne W. redid the dash in Roamie themselves.

Michelle

We had Dana Kern - our upholsterer in Benson AZ - do the dash and chairs.  Chairs were done in UltraLeather Brisa, and material plus labor was $1500 for both chairs.  $550 for the Ultraleather alone, but it is wonderful stuff!  The dash (and door surround) was $1100 for all 16 (!!) pieces (didn't do the horizontal piece up at the very top of the windshield that has the speakers in it.)    I took all the pieces out and reinstalled them, and Nancy pulled all 10 bazillion staples out.  We had the dash pieces done in vinyl.

Don't remember what we paid for the valances (we had Dana do the valances, the sofa and 3 dining chairs in fabric), but it was also quite reasonable.  We bought the fabric for those in Tucson.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Dash

Reply #9 –
FWIW,
If you decide to tackle it yourself, you may get some vinyl from ebay.  I have done that and recovered some things with it.  I usually get marine grade.  Also I have stapled it on with a standard stapler from a hardware store (I believe Bostich was brand).  It staples quite well to hold the vinyl fabric to the plywood.  This would decrease the cost considerably.  If the foam is bad that also is easily replaced.  Of course you can get from a local supplier.  I like the ebay option as I can easily shop from my keyboard and selection is most certainly larger.  I am always pleased with the results compared to the old. 
Best of Travels

Re: Dash

Reply #10 –
Michelle,
    Must agree 100% with your take on Brett and Diane doing thier own dash work with the left over ultrasuede they got from Flexsteel. I own Brett and Diane's 1993 coach (Roamie) now and I can tell you first hand it was a marvelous job they did!
perrydise
1993 U240 36' coach 4297, Cat 3116
 (Brett Wolfe's previous coach)
2005 Saturn Vue AWD
 

Re: Dash

Reply #11 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Would NEVER cut out the OE front piece of plywood-- it is structural and by using slightly thinner padding, you could never tell the new front area was on a "built up" piece.
Good to know that!!!  When I reuphoilstered, I left that part alone cause it did not look bad as the rest of it,  And I did not want to mess with trying to remove it.  Now I know what to do if it ever needs doing.  Thanks Brett!!!
1994 U225
build #4514