Hi guys, i'm in the process of restoring a 79 Nissan 280zx. the dash is cracked to all hell, are there any repair methods / tips & tricks anyone can tell me as to how i can patch it up and save myself some money? thank you.

 

Welcome to ZDriver

Pick up a factory service manual at XenonS130 - S130 Reference. The exploded diagrams of the interior ought to be some help. Other docs there too.

Thanks and welcome!

 

Just get a dash cap and call it for the day.They are all over the place.....unless you want to pay premium for it!!!
Or if you want to do it your self then here......
https://www.zdriver.com/forum/280zx-...-photos-34182/

 

If you decide to go with a dash cap, make sure and follow the instructions and don't use any more adhesive than is necessary. I got a little happy with the adhesive on mine, and the cap started to crack within a year. The cap will expand at a different rate than the dash, and if it doesn't have room to move, it will tear itself apart.

If I were to do it again, I might even try attaching it with 3M body tape so that it has even more flexibility. I'd rather pull the tape free and have to reapply than have my cap crack again.

All that being said, after going through this once, I will be doing the process as described in the thread linked by Borini for my S30 project.

The dash cap looked way better than what I started with, but it never fit just right and the top center vent inserts didn't seat properly. Like in anything else, you get what you pay for. You can take the time and go all out, or you can try a $100 patch and hope for the best.

 

Dash cap. IIRC Rock auto has the best price... ~$65