{Chrysler 300} Re: Just A Heads Up

Thanks for the information...I too am restoring the dashboard in my 300H with a pad I received from RD Autoline -- FYI, the backlog is approximately one year. Nothing like using an exacto knife and cutting a hole in a brand new dash pad to install the rearview mirror!

Agree with Steve on quality of RD Autoline product; however, there are minor differences around the transmission and heater control bezels that require car and attention and careful trimming. Also, don't throw away your old pad as you will need to transfer the four studs that secure the pad to the dash above the glove box -- the RD Autoline pad does not come with the studs (at least mine didn't) but does have the bonded metal strip like the original that you can secure the posts to; make sure and measure and mark the location of the studs old and new so that when you attempt to place the pad on the dash, the studs align with the holes (again, nothing like studs scratching fresh paint but at least it is hidden when the pad is installed). Finally, through trial and error, I found it near impossible to install the replacement pad correctly with the cast aluminum Astradome brow secured to the dash. It was much easier to detach the cast aluminum brow, gently apply pressure to fit it in place in the molded dash cover and then place and secure the combined cast brow+dash pad cover on the underlying dash.

I've attached a few pictures of progress and am excited to get this back in my 300H in time for Spring. Finally, thanks to Carleton Schroeder for sharing details of his dash jig and lessons learned...a couple of two by fours and some lag bolts helps get the dash up at eye-level and allows easy access to everything.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 2:58:24 PM UTC-6 belder wrote:

I am replacing the dash pad on my 300G. I read through the blog from Just Dashes to give me a leg up on this project. I got to the rear view mirror removal, working through the speaker hole, even the radio is out. I tried to get a 1 3/8 socket on the mirror nut. Just dashes indicated that the nut was 1 3/8. I just couldn’t get a socket on it, so I cut a perfectly fine 1 3/8 combination wrench in half, it was too long to fit inside the dash. So after wasting a lot of time and effort, I finally realized the nut is 1 7/16. Just in case any of you have to remove the rear view mirror.

Regards
bill