How to change dash pad on Trans Am

**speedracer25f** · 11-16-2007, 01:37 PM

I have a 98 trans am. The dealer cracked the top dash pad, the large piece that goes all the way to the window. I was wondering how hard that is to replace. I see the tops on ebay by themselves. The dealer will get me one but I dont want them touching the car again.

**Stricken1** · 11-17-2007, 02:24 PM

Its easy I replaced one on my 97 TA. The old one will come out in peices so take your time and get all the crap out. To install the new one its best to have two people because you have to bend it a little for it to fit under the a-pillar. There is 4 or 5 tabs/clips and some velcro that holds it in place. take your time and you will be good to go.

**LETHALxLS1** · 11-17-2007, 03:22 PM

dude dont buy one on ebay they want way too much money-get one from GMpartsdirect (a sponsor here at ls1.com) I got mine for $130.00 shipped. (new)

**redfiress08** · 11-18-2007, 06:43 PM

What is the part number for that i cannot find it on gmpartsdirect.com the same thing is wrong with my car but i bought it that way...and made them take off $500 LOL

**LETHALxLS1** · 11-18-2007, 07:50 PM

I will find it for you man. I remember it was under a weird catagory.

**LETHALxLS1** · 11-18-2007, 07:58 PM

I cant find it -email them and they will give you the correct part number. Its best to do this anyway because there are no returns when you order from them. When they give you the part number save the email until the part arrives just in case. I bought mine from them and they know the right color based on the year/model you tell them.

**jman0322** · 11-19-2007, 05:11 AM

here ya go 10422746. It literally takes like 10 minutes, very easy!!!

**speedracer25f** · 11-19-2007, 06:03 AM

Do you have to remove the front of the dash at all or just pop the top section out? I know you have to remove the pillar covers.

**jman0322** · 11-19-2007, 06:23 AM

you just pop it out. it has velcro and 4 tabs.

**Raleigh TA** · 11-20-2007, 06:56 PM

If you have a T-Top, pull them out. There are 2 screws at the top of the pillar, remove them and work the plastic pillar covers off toward the dash. Once these are off, you have access to the side of the dash cover and just lift. There are a couple of velcro 1" circles that hold it down. Be careful to remove the alarm light in the center of the dash pad by twisting and pulling it out. Reverse process, and like jman said, 10-minute job. You will amaze yourself with how talented you are at fixing your bird. BTW, I got mine off a wreck for $20.

**10-8-TA** · 11-21-2007, 03:33 PM

I just bought one from my dealer. I think I paid 160. I will be giving it a try this weekend. That is if I don't eat to much turkey tomorrow.

**LETHALxLS1** · 11-21-2007, 05:39 PM

Turkey makes me sleepy/lazzzzzzzzzzzy

**Stricken1** · 11-22-2007, 07:19 AM

I didnt have to remove my pillars.

**LETHALxLS1** · 11-22-2007, 10:43 AM

^ you must have bent yours to make it go in then?

**Raleigh TA** · 11-23-2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Stricken1

I didnt have to remove my pillars.

I can see how you could do it without removing them, but my recommendation is to take them off to avoid scratching that new $160 expenditure. It just adds a few minutes to the job, but it is your choice.

**Stricken1** · 11-23-2007, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by LETHALxLS1

^ you must have bent yours to make it go in then?

I had a person sit in the pass seat and me in the drivers seat we put a small bend in the middle and it slipped right under the pillar the first try. Im not telling you what to do just trying to save you a little extra work.

**LETHALxLS1** · 11-23-2007, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Stricken1

I had a person sit in the pass seat and me in the drivers seat we put a small bend in the middle and it slipped right under the pillar the first try. Im not telling you what to do just trying to save you a little extra work.

That sounds like a good idea. Psssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! hahahahah It takes a whole 5 minutes to get the pillar trim off. Also- where in the fk do you get the idea that I thought you were telling me what to do by me asking a simple question?

**redfiress08** · 11-24-2007, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by jman0322

here ya go 10422746. It literally takes like 10 minutes, very easy!!!

Is that part number a black dash or is it tan? I dont want to order the wrong one for my car.......

**KyleLs1** · 11-24-2007, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by redfiress08

Is that part number a black dash or is it tan? I dont want to order the wrong one for my car.......

there is no tan dash pad.. there is a dark grey color for the early cars and a black for the newer cars

**Stricken1** · 11-24-2007, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by LETHALxLS1

That sounds like a good idea. Psssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! hahahahah It takes a whole 5 minutes to get the pillar trim off. Also- where in the fk do you get the idea that I thought you were telling me what to do by me asking a simple question?

I said I am not telling you what do.