"Potential" 4Runner owner.....wtf is up with the dash cracks

[lrlima]

Hello all, 1st post newbie here. Curious for feedback on my situation....

Test drove a 2003 4runner V8 Limited today with 122k. Overall car was in good shape minus a few cosmetic things I would fix after purchasing. It needs two new tires, a piece of the leather drive seat replaced, and the front bumper could use paint as its had a minor brush against the PO garage door. Both the seat and bumper are cosmetic and it drove great otherwise. It also has the infamous dash crack, not too bad but definitely there. I negotiated down to a price of $7,700 which i think is a great deal given how it drove, all maintenance and timing belt stuff done. But how bad should the dash cracking hurt resale in the future? Has anyone put on one of those coverlay dash kits on?

I think its a good deal regardless, so I almost dont care about the cracks and can live with them. But curious on the thoughts of those here. Looking forward to owning my first 4runner....

 

[Dylan]

I don't have the cracks (yet), knock on wood. I think the overlays are uglier than the exposed cracks though...they remind me of cheap shag carpeting. I've contemplated what I might do when this happens. I've thought about filling in the cracks with some sort of silicone sealant and painting over it. Not sure how it would turn out, but I'd rather keep something similar to the rubber/plastic dash material rather than adding a texture carpet looking shell.

 

[lrlima]

Thanks Dylan, i agree with you on the carpet dash coverings. The coverings im talking about are plastic, very thin and are supposed to look close to oem. Even with the cracks and the fixes i need to make i believe its a good purchase. I plan to have for a long time. I was kinda wondering if it deters others from buying or if im being too forgiving on that type of defect.

 

[Dylan]

As you mentioned, it's purely cosmetic...and it's inevitable on these 4runners. The question is when it will happen. For me, I deter it by using Armor All every time I wash my car, and use a sun shade when parked to protect against the sunlight. So even if a potential buyer gets one with a good dash, what they may or may not know is that it could happen to them later on.

It's a fairly minor defect, it doesn't affect the function or capability of the vehicle, but still some may look for another runner that doesn't have it.

 

[Agriess]

I'm in the process of purchasing a velour coverking dash mat. Only problem is that I had to send it back twice now because apparently the velour shrinks a couple inches when cut (so says the chick I'm talking to about the replacement), but the velour looks alright. It definitely has to grow on you, but I like it now and can't wait for the perfect fitting one to come in! I'll post pics of it soon...

 

[ebg18t]

I used to use the Dash Designs till I bought the Coverlay Dash cap. It actually looked good, much better than carpet.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/174781-fs-dash-designs-dash-cover-fl.html

 

[Agriess]

Coverking Dashmat tries...

Here is the coverking dashmat pictures I have, (this is the latest one...the second one I received) the first one was longer on one side but the part where the steering wheel sits is the same maybe a little worse... (sorry for the huge pictures)

 

[lrlima]

Thanks for the replies / pics. So it sounds like most wouldnt be scared off from the dash cracks as its so common. For the price im paying, even with what i would potentially need to fix I dont think i can go wrong. Does anyone have any or know of any pics of the colerlay dash cap installed?

 

[gshadow325]

cracked dash means it never had the passenger side airbag deployed LOL.

i think my truck had the passenger side deployed. since it did show a carfax accident 5 years ago. maybe thats why my dash hasnt cracked in the 185,000 miles of its life LOL

 

[Nervo19]

There's a vinyl Coverlay dash on eBay for $172. I haven't looked to see if anyone has it cheaper. I can't say first hand how they look but the consensus on the one for first gen 4Runners is that you can't tell the dash was replaced.

Replacement Dash Cover Cap for 2003 to 2009 Toyota 4Runner | eBay