Thanks for the update!:banana:
I'm pretty sure I can imagine what you are saying. Sounds like a good solution for everyone who missed the deadline.
Coverlay Installation for Cracked Dashboard (video)
- Thread starter OliviasDad
- Start date
Thanks for the update!:banana:
I'm pretty sure I can imagine what you are saying. Sounds like a good solution for everyone who missed the deadline.
Bonesetter
New member
Appreciate you putting this up-- just noticed some cracks in mine yesterday, and I'll definitely be looking into this option.
did you buy one? do you have pictures of it installed?
2003-4x4runner
New member
Haven't bought it yet.
Put mine on two weeks ago and very impressed. The carpeted dash cover looked like something out of the 1970's, the Coverlay is very hard to notice unless you look really closely and it covers up all the cracks that drove me crazy. Best price is from Rock Auto (don't forget the 5% off code) - $170 shipped to Arizona.
Just received mine in the mail. Bought from Rockauto.
I intend on installing it toward the weekend, and will take some post-install pics to add to this thread.
I have an 04 sport limited with the JBL speaker in the dash, however I opted for the solid cover without the speaker cutout. I’m going to remove the blown out stock speaker and OEM grille. I bought this T4r at 125k miles and that speaker/grille is a current source of rattles, so mineswell remove it. I’m going with aftermarket stereo and speakers for the doors anyway.
My dash is cracking mainly on the passenger side and virtually nowhere else, but it looks shitty enough to go ahead and cover it up lol.
I intend on installing it toward the weekend, and will take some post-install pics to add to this thread.
I have an 04 sport limited with the JBL speaker in the dash, however I opted for the solid cover without the speaker cutout. I’m going to remove the blown out stock speaker and OEM grille. I bought this T4r at 125k miles and that speaker/grille is a current source of rattles, so mineswell remove it. I’m going with aftermarket stereo and speakers for the doors anyway.
My dash is cracking mainly on the passenger side and virtually nowhere else, but it looks shitty enough to go ahead and cover it up lol.
A coverlay is on my list of things to do in the near future. I have a very small hairline crack along the edge above the instruments. Most people would not even notice it, but I have to llok at it every day.
The OP's video looks to be the black color Coverlay, but also looks darker than the original. Is everyone going with black or is dark gray a match?
The OP's video looks to be the black color Coverlay, but also looks darker than the original. Is everyone going with black or is dark gray a match?
SummitRunner
New member
Thanks for posting the video
Ah that's a smart move to cover up the center JBL speaker--the Coverlay with the cutout was more expensive too! I just bought a black version with the ebay coupon so we'll see when it arrives.
Started install. Per the directions I did a full wipe down with windex, then tested the fit first. Driver side fits better than passenger side. Main gripes are the little piece of dash material between the silver dash stereo/HVAC bezel and the gauge hump did not want to conform to the dash, leaving a 1/8-1/4” gap. Using a heat gun on low heat, I tried to get this to conform better. I got it enough to my satisfaction. And for the passenger side the dash did not want to lay perfectly were it bends down at the airbag cutout, leaving a gap against the dash in that spot and also over near the passenger door side vent.
Here are before pics of my cracking dash:
I did end up removing the JBL grille and speaker. Just pry up gently at the edges and then remove the speaker. The +/- wires run to a connector that is nearby but these are in tandem with some other wires so I just cut them at the speaker and heat shrinked them until I do a stereo upgrade a month from now.
And here is now during Coverlay install (silicone adhesive is curing):
I used cardboard pieces at the edges to wedge them down. You will want some heavy books to put on top of the dash. The fitment at the pass side was crappy leaving a 1/4” gap at the edges. Luckily I have 2 adjustable paint roller sticks on hand and used them wedged against the passenger seat to apply pressure to the dash where books couldn’t be used. This is a must!
My only concern at this point is that given it is Silicone adhesive being used, I am worried that in a month or so it will simply give way and the gaps will return. From what I read and saw on this product, it is meant to just float over the dash with the silicone keeping it in place, not necessarily conforming it to the dash. I’ll be surprised if I don’t end up with gaps in a month, but time will tell. I am going to let it sit overnight to fully cure even though 6-8hrs is the advertised time. If I end up with gaps I’ll return at a later time with a better adhesive to hit the gap areas.
I’ve left the airbag cover insert off for now and will be installing once the rest has cured as per the directions.
Overall impressions though are the finish at the very least matches the exact color and texture of the OEM dash as far as I can tell.
I will post a set of final installed pics once I’m done.
Here are before pics of my cracking dash:
I did end up removing the JBL grille and speaker. Just pry up gently at the edges and then remove the speaker. The +/- wires run to a connector that is nearby but these are in tandem with some other wires so I just cut them at the speaker and heat shrinked them until I do a stereo upgrade a month from now.
And here is now during Coverlay install (silicone adhesive is curing):
I used cardboard pieces at the edges to wedge them down. You will want some heavy books to put on top of the dash. The fitment at the pass side was crappy leaving a 1/4” gap at the edges. Luckily I have 2 adjustable paint roller sticks on hand and used them wedged against the passenger seat to apply pressure to the dash where books couldn’t be used. This is a must!
My only concern at this point is that given it is Silicone adhesive being used, I am worried that in a month or so it will simply give way and the gaps will return. From what I read and saw on this product, it is meant to just float over the dash with the silicone keeping it in place, not necessarily conforming it to the dash. I’ll be surprised if I don’t end up with gaps in a month, but time will tell. I am going to let it sit overnight to fully cure even though 6-8hrs is the advertised time. If I end up with gaps I’ll return at a later time with a better adhesive to hit the gap areas.
I’ve left the airbag cover insert off for now and will be installing once the rest has cured as per the directions.
Overall impressions though are the finish at the very least matches the exact color and texture of the OEM dash as far as I can tell.
I will post a set of final installed pics once I’m done.
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Did you have the same installation issues as jdevtac? Mine will arrive in a couple of weeks but I might wait until Spring to install it--I feel like the cold temps right now won't help with the installing and curing times.
OliviasDad
New member
No, I didn't have any fitment issues with my install, mine slide right into place with no gaps. I did not have the speaker cut-out version, so I'm not sure if that could be the difference or not in terms of fit. Wonder if pulling off the stereo/hvac bezel might help to get a better fit on the coverlay around this area? Temps may also play a role this time of year.
While I have the JBL dash speaker I still ordered the non-cutout coverlay and just removed the JBL speaker grille and speaker altogether for a flush install. I’m chalking it up to weather and the cover not wanting to conform as easily, however it’s been sitting in a 72*F room in my house for at least a week prior to install so who knows, maybe just a little variance in the product.
I’ve seen reviews for Coverlays made for other vehicles and have seen similar complaints. I’m about to remove all the books and paint roller sticks I used and will see how it turned out tonight. It’s basically had pressure on it for 24+ hrs at this point.
OliviasDad
New member
Sorry, I didn't notice that you used the non-cutout version. I wonder if there might be a slight difference in the original dash for the speaker version (i.e., sits slightly higher to fit the speaker) vs. the non speaker version. If so, then the coverlay mold may differ as well. Just speculation on my part though.
The image below is the only one I have on me right now, but you can see that mine does not have a a gap at the bezel area. I runs right up to the bezel.
Keep us updated on on your results!
Sorry, I didn't notice that you used the non-cutout version. I wonder if there might be a slight difference in the original dash for the speaker version (i.e., sits slightly higher to fit the speaker) vs. the non speaker version. If so, then the coverlay mold may differ as well. Just speculation on my part though.
The image below is the only one I have on me right now, but you can see that mine does not have a a gap at the bezel area. I runs right up to the bezel.
Keep us updated on on your results!
Maybe so. The coverlay is actually flush at the bezel, it’s the side near the window vent that’s the issue. It’ll be clearer when I post pics. Still need to get the airbag cutout piece installed too. Waiting until I can do it in the daylight lol.
I see someone else is likely exploring the options :lmao: They rule. Based on what I've seen here, I'll likely be getting another coverlay within the next month. I'd rather something cheaper for the aesthetic than having to shmooze a dealership or go borrow the family garage to install a new dash.
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firefoxed
New member
Have you already installed one?
Really interested in getting my sticky cracked dash covered, my only concern is how it will hold up to the heat inside the car when the sun beats down on it.
V8Limited4wd
New member
Has anyone had issues with the dash part hidden behind the door cracking? Not sure how to fix that area.
