To all the T4R forum family:
I have a 04 4runner and the dash has teared up from the drivers side all the way to the passengers side...I have looked for it online but all I see is Trim kits.
Besides going to the Toyota itself and paying extra for the dash, I hope to find other ideas.

All advices, sites, etc.. are welcome!!!

Thanks!!

Junkyard? Dash Mat (lol)? I dont know man, i mean really im not sure where you could get one cheap other than the junkyard assuming you could find the right one.

my dash is cracked to hell as well. best bet is looking around at junkyards, but good luck finding one totaled that hasn't had the airbag deployed. that's the problem i've been having. every dash i see has the passenger side of the dash destroyed because of the airbags.

I have an 03 and my dash is still like new... how is it that a relatively new dash is cracking? Is it a bad product or do you guys leave it in the sun 24/7? I'm not bashing anyone, it just seems odd that wear and tear is this obvious in a vehicle that is no older than 7 years old.

Same, I leave my T4R outside and my dash is showroom.

Could we see some pics?

I have an 04 also, and my dash looks brand new.
Have you been putting any type of products like armor all on it? If so, that could be why it's cracking.

armorall would help prevent the cracking not cause it.... it has oils and things in it that would keep the dash from drying out and cracking..

They may have changed the formula, but it used to be petroleum based and many were complaining that it was causing vinyls and plastics to crack prematurely.

I personally don't use anything on my dash.

That is not necessarily true....

Dash Crack FAQ

If you used Armor-All religiously, I think you could possibly prevent the dash from cracking. The problem is most people who use it don't use it often enough. The process of it getting lubricated then drying out over and over again is what can lead it to cracking. The problem with Armor-All is that once you start using it, you have to use it very frequently. Not to mention, I am not a personal fan of the "wet" look on the interior of my car. Armor-All makes the dash collect dust faster, as well.

Leftyguns21 turned me onto this stuff. Very light, smells good and most importantly, it will not leave a greasy residue. I use it very sparingly a few times a year.

Meguiar's Direct Quik Interior Detailer™

with ArmorAll, if you used it on the dash, it needs to be used continously. Otherwise, it'll result in cracked dashes. It happened to a buddy's car. He warned not use it on a new car. I use 303 Aerospace now.

With that said, I have two half gallons bottles of ArmorAll to unload.

The best way to prevent interior cracking is tinting the windows all the way around, including the windshield. Even if the tint is only 30% all around and 50% on the windshield there is that much less UV rays hitting the dash, don't use armor-all unless you put it on at least once every 3-4 weeks, AT LEAST. Just use a damp rag and wipe everything down.

I got a dashcover. I don't have to worry about wiping down tho i use Meguiar's Interior Detailer every 6 months. Other than that i just use q-tips to clean the windshield vents.

Upholsterie shop? Maybe a new thin layer on top of cracked dash will work.
I would think they would have to cutout area where the air bag would deploy.

The other reason Armor All cracks your dash is is traps the heat from the sun in your dash behind the oils in the product itself. you in effect suffocate your dash.

I use Meguirar dashboard spray. (not the super shiny formula). However, I did notice that on some Armor All bottles, there is a UV protection label. Anyway, i still use the Meguirars product. I've been using it on my 07 civic's dash and still looks like new.