Let them replace the dash panel or just live with it?

[Colleton]

There is a tiny scratch in the finish of the aluminum dash trim, completely through the paint all the way down to bare metal. Looking at the pic below (taken at delivery), the scratch is to the lower left of the passenger side center console vent. You can see it as a white dot.

http://chattypics.com/files/image2JPG_fs77xme7hc.jpg

I rarely ever notice it, but when I do it bugs me. Ford is replacing the panel as a warranty repair, they'll have it all of next week as apparently it is an invasive repair action? I dunno, but I'm still a little worried about having the dash ripped apart.

I figure that while they have it, they can take another shot at putting the splitter on properly. What the heck.

Anyone know how involved replacing the dash panel is?

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[VOODOO 6G]

Man, I know where you're at. My F-250 Platinum has to have the whole dash replaced. The windshield got broken and the repair tech hit the dash with his tool he uses to cut the glass out. I'm a nervous wreck about having the whole dash out. There are no rattles now, I would like it to stay that way. I'm taking it to a good friends body shop to have the work done. They are top notch and work on mostly high end cars so I have that going for me. I think I would live with the gouges if it had to go to a dealer.

 

[Variance]

Wait, that piece is metal? It feels like plastic...

 

[theman1990]

I'd daub it with a bit of gunmetal model paint and wipe smooth a few times.... May be a better bet than risking the new guy getting to work on his first Shelby....

 

[Colleton]

...There are no rattles now, I would like it to stay that way....

Yeah, that's my concern as well. I've searched the site and there are posts about this that range from ho-hum to hair-raising.

I'd daub it with a bit of gunmetal model paint and wipe smooth a few times.... May be a better bet than risking the new guy getting to work on his first Shelby....

The guy that will do it is the same guy that has worked on my GT500s in the past. He's a good mechanic, even if he couldn't get the splitter on right the 1st time.

 

[jwhite]

If it installs the same as a 15 GT , that piece comes out very easily. I pulled mine to put a boost gage in for my supercharger. The dash doesn't need to come out. I'll have to look and compare it tomorrow to my 350?

 

[stanglife]

I need to look it up again but I think it was VERY expensive. I'd have them replace it and see if you can keep the original.

 

[Colleton]

If it installs the same as a 15 GT , that piece comes out very easily. I pulled mine to put a boost gage in for my supercharger. The dash doesn't need to come out. I'll have to look and compare it tomorrow to my 350?

I don't see why it wouldn't be exactly like a GT. Thanks, you've made me feel a bit better.

I need to look it up again but I think it was VERY expensive. I'd have them replace it and see if you can keep the original.

IIRC, it's ~ $1,500 for the GTPP part. Since it's under warranty I don't think they'll let me keep it, but I'll try.

 

[Epiphany]

I'd daub it with a bit of gunmetal model paint and wipe smooth a few times.... May be a better bet than risking the new guy getting to work on his first Shelby....

The above would be the way I'd normally handle it. In this case, with this car, I'd consider going all the way simply because it would bug the crap out of most of us. The question is whether the risk is worth even more damage (potentially, anyway).

Anyone know how involved replacing the dash panel is?

Yup. When I yanked my 4" screen and swapped in an 8" I had to pull this panel. Even with all the right tools, as you pry it seems (at times) as though you are exceeding a threshold and are very close to snapping something. And this is after identifying where the clips were and prying/pulling in the right spots. I definitely wouldn't do this in colder temperatures.

 

[jwhite]

I'd look tonight but I'm pulling a double shift,,, I will still look in the morning for you but if it's the same I took mine out put the Ecoboost gage cluster in and replaced it in maybe 20 minutes. It might be something weird as to how ford has to get the part as an assembly to the dash or something. If that's the case I'd definitely talk to services manager about how they plan on doing the job? I will compare my 15 GT/PP to my 350 though and post in morning. Hope that's all it takes I'd be Leary about a dash pull unless again you know your tech.

 

[Stage_3]

Honestly, if were just me, I would leave it as is.
That's just me though. Who knows what kind of "tech" you may have working on your car that day.
Good luck!

 

[jwhite]

Post above me nailed it, same piece. I wouldn't be to concerned , get it replaced,especially knowing they will get the benefit of new clips if they break old ones!

 

[bobmclean]

I would replace it....if you don't you will always see it.

 

[GT_Dave]

Hit it with a black Sharpie marker, then make a decision . . . . .

 

[wildcatgoal]

I say you dump the car. Seems worth only $250 now, so that's what I'll give you and I'll even pick it up myself.

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