Swapping out my Dash

Hi
I’ve managed to source a Double Din Dash and sat Nav for my car, have been trying to find a video on you tube show how to remove a dash but haven’t found one, does anyone know how to do this or know of a video?

My technical skills are basic so wouldn’t want to go into this blind, or would I be best paying someone to do this? Thanks Andy
 
Hi Andy

Removing the dash is quite involved if you describe yourself as having basic skills. There are a number of screws in unusual places and there’s propensity to snap mountings if you don’t know where each one is.

@timmus offers a retrofit service for this but there are other members here who have done it themselves who may be willing to offer to help.
 
Morning,

As Steve said above, this is quite an involve procedure. It should take 2 hours for removal which will include the seats and everything else that needs to come out before before the dashboard itself. Then the following 2 hours will be spent installing the replacement dashboard and everything else removed.

When I set out to do this I was unable to find a video to assist and don’t know if one exists.

Here are a few links to review before you decide to take this task in yourself.

LHD but shows the preliminary stages well.

From online manual but again LHD
Hopefully someone with ELSA will be able to add the diagram for a RHD A2 Shortly. I can’t as I’m not on the laptop right now.

Write up from @wilco184 which is very useful

@hump shows the location of the fixings in this post

As mentioned earlier Tom @timmus does this retrofit quite often and much the expert at it.

It’s worth contacting Tom via PM to discuss but if you’re really set on doing it yourself then go for it, it’s some 4 hours (remove old and fit new) from start to finish but very satisfying once complete.

There are quite a few members who have completed this installation themselves and should be more than willing to provide assistance when you need it.

If you’re feeling a little more brave after doing your research then there is also another option available to you to fit a Double DIN head unit without removing the dashboard. @Kleynie provided a great post here which shows what was achieved with some basic tools.

Please do read up as much information you can regards removing airbags as you will be removing both the drivers airbag (steering wheel) and passengers airbag (behind/above the glovebox). There are certain that you should and shouldn’t do when this is being done. If you was to get this wrong the it can be very dangerous and have serious health consequences. Do your homework first before sitting exam as the my say!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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I've done this a few times. It's an advantage if you have the double-DIN dash at hand, ready to fit. You can clearly see all its fixing points! I would fit that dash because it'll be a much better job that just modifying your existing single dash (I've done that, too, three times!}It's completely do-able. Get yourself a flexi-arm screwdriver. You'll need plenty of foam to lie-on because you're reaching up under the dash and it's very awkward. Patience is the key. Take screws out, see if it's coming loose. If not, then with careful manoeuvring it will be obvious where it's still being retained. Just take things steady and easy. Before you know it, the dash is out! Oh, as you take screws out, record what they were and where they were located (I'm talking about size and length) That will be a great help when you come to re-installation! AND ... The air-bag is difficult to remove, too!

David
 
Thanks everyone for the advice, to be honest my feeling is to ask @timmus to do this as I think it may be a better more quality option, the airbags concern me, patience is not my strong point, I’m heavy handed and also being quite tall and heavy think I my struggle with the hard to reach parts ? Looks like I will drop Tom a message and book it in. Thanks for the advice everyone it’s really helpful being on this Forum
 
Thanks everyone for the advice, to be honest my feeling is to ask @timmus to do this as I think it may be a better more quality option, the airbags concern me, patience is not my strong point, I’m heavy handed and also being quite tall and heavy think I my struggle with the hard to reach parts ? Looks like I will drop Tom a message and book it in. Thanks for the advice everyone it’s really helpful being on this Forum
A very wise choice indeed,

Tom is the absolute ninja at this and the time in his company is truly awesome.

Whilst you’re there with him you might as well have a look at what else he can offer you.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
I'll second @timmus for the dash swap
Me and Tom swapped the dashes from my Two A2 over in a single day, I had a lot of the easy to get at stuff removed when Tom arrived about 11:30 AM, by 2PM we had both Dash boards out of both car, lunch and by 5pm Tom was on his way and I finished off the glove boxes and steering wheels etc
Both cars rattle free after this major surgery and no screws left over - Top work
 
This is what I want, I bought this to be a project but don’t want it to be a bodge job either. I’m happy on smaller things but not something this big. Again thanks for all the advise, can’t wait to start meeting people at meets
 
It's not a job for the faint of heart, having done this myself many times. One note is that seats don't need to come out, which was mentioned before. However, you need to remove the wheel, instruments, radio, climate, vents, glovebox, front sill trims and airbags. This last one alone is the one you shouldn't mess with if at all lacking in absolute confidence.
Theres a knack to getting the new dash in and the sun sensor fitted and the anti rattle rubbers (x3) at the base of the windscreen, so play it safe.
 
It's not a job for the faint of heart, having done this myself many times. One note is that seats don't need to come out, which was mentioned before. However, you need to remove the wheel, instruments, radio, climate, vents, glovebox, front sill trims and airbags. This last one alone is the one you shouldn't mess with if at all lacking in absolute confidence.
Theres a knack to getting the new dash in and the sun sensor fitted and the anti rattle rubbers (x3) at the base of the windscreen, so play it safe.
Agreed have made contact with Tom ?
 
I have just modified a single Din dash to accept a double Din android unit for the second time, however, I’m not sure how good this would be when using RNS-E for example.

Ian
 
Thanks, have already spent the money on the new dash and unit. Just need to fit them in now, going to get a pro to do it, better option.
 
Thanks, have already spent the money on the new dash and unit. Just need to fit them in now, going to get a pro to do it, better option.
That’s the best way to be honest, but I have never been brave enough, and I can do pretty much anything! So that’s a good decision you’ve made.
Ian
 
That’s the best way to be honest, but I have never been brave enough, and I can do pretty much anything! So that’s a good decision you’ve made.
Ian
I will be looking at a single din fold out screen . Just saved all the messing about and it brings the screen up to a useable height
 
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