Thread: Disco 3 - upper dash replacement tips

OK, successful replaced the upper dash on my LR3 today. It took me the full day but i guess i saved heaps of $$$ and boy didn't the first beer go down a treat.
I took pictures throughout but they are 250MB in total but it is a blow by blow account.
I have tried to capture what i did below:

Landrover LR3 dashboard removal and replacement by a non-mechanic

Thanks to ?powerfulukltd? for their videos on Youtube showing replacement of many parts. Great videos and saved me heaps of time. Thanks guys.
I won't go into too much detail but I have pictures showing the areas where I removed each screw. I used Torx 20, 25, 30
Basically, remove the following. I did it in this order:
Side air vents (drivers and passengers) - Pull from bottom and remove electrical connector from driver's side.
Side air vents ? remove 1 screw in each, located within.
Centre console ? pull both ends from the bottom, then lower as it comes free.
Under steering column panel ? pull towards you from the top, then lift as it comes free (there are 2 lugs on the bottom)
Drivers molding by side air vent ? pull
Drivers molding on left hand side (air vent) between steering wheel and centre console ? pull
Remove 2 screws, 1 on either side on lower section beneath steering wheel
Remove two screws holding speedo clocks ? bit tricky
Remove upper steering column molding ? pull up and over
Pull out speedo ? pull top towards you then up and out
Unclip rear electrical connector to speedo ? clip has a lever so pull up and over and the connector pops off.
Centre console ? remove two screws in the centre, connecting the upper dash to frame above hazard unit.
Upper Passenger glove box ? remove 4 screws
Remove single screw on same eyeline as above but on other side of centre console
Centre console ? remove all screws and connectors holding each unit in place
Centre console ? remove several other screws within because you want to be able to pull this whole unit forward to be able to disengage the 2 black plastic location pins which are part of the upper dash
Centre console lower kick panel (in floor well) ? remove 1 screw either side.
Centre console (rear) ? push seats fully forward and get in the back. remove the cover on either side to expose the screws. Remove then lift the whole rear of the unit and as it comes free then pull towards you. This will separate the rear console from the front console.
Centre console - Remove single screw near park brake
Gear stick ? remove by pulling upwards
Centre console ? unclip the dark centre panel near the Hill Decent button by pulling up. This will separate the main section so pull it up and over the gear stick but don't disconnect. Centre console (front) ? remove the lower tray, pull from the bottom then let it drop (lugs on top)
Centre console ? remove two main screws behind tray. This should allow you to pull this whole thing forward and separate the locating pins from the frame.
Centre console ? two further screws towards the lower section but are set back that need removal.
Centre console ? unclip the electrical cable anchor points
Passenger air bag ? unclip the 3 connectors and remove the two large screws which secure this to the frame.
?A? pillar Side Air Bags (passengers and drivers side) ? pull out the cover which says ?Air Bag?, remove the screw and pull out carefully.
Upper dash speaker ? this is located in the centre near the windscreen. Unclip the top panel by pulling upwards. Remove the single screw. Pull the button upwards and unclip the connector.
You should now be able to pull out the upper dash assembly. There are 3 lugs; located both ends and 1 in the centre. So lift the whole dash slightly just to loosen but make sure those 2 black plastic centre console locating pins are free. Pull towards you and remove. It takes a bit of wiggling but it should come free if you've removed all the screws.

Congratulations, you've done it.

Replacing it is the opposite but remember two main things:
Ensure the dash is located within the 3 main lugs.
Ensure the dash by the speedos is located behind the frame so it's located in the two square location lugs.

Bah really want to buy mine back and fix it now as this was the main problem.
They quoted me $8000 to supply and fit airbags and upper dash.... 50% of the repair cost. If it only costs $850 for this then i can probably have mine back on the road for $3000!

Just saved yourself over $7000!

I still reckon you should Russ!

Cheers

Dan

wow...$8k. When i bought the dash it came with an airbag. I also have the air bag from the one i removed so give me a call if you need it. i can send you pictures if you decide to replace the dash

Originally Posted by spiketcw

OK, successful replaced the upper dash on my LR3 today. It took me the full day but i guess i saved heaps of $$$ and boy didn't the first beer go down a treat.
I took pictures throughout but they are 250MB in total but it is a blow by blow account.
I have tried to capture what i did below:

Landrover LR3 dashboard removal and replacement by a non-mechanic

Thanks to ?powerfulukltd? for their videos on Youtube showing replacement of many parts. Great videos and saved me heaps of time. Thanks guys.
I won't go into too much detail but I have pictures showing the areas where I removed each screw. I used Torx 20, 25, 30
Basically, remove the following. I did it in this order:
Side air vents (drivers and passengers) - Pull from bottom and remove electrical connector from driver's side.
Side air vents ? remove 1 screw in each, located within.
Centre console ? pull both ends from the bottom, then lower as it comes free.
Under steering column panel ? pull towards you from the top, then lift as it comes free (there are 2 lugs on the bottom)
Drivers molding by side air vent ? pull
Drivers molding on left hand side (air vent) between steering wheel and centre console ? pull
Remove 2 screws, 1 on either side on lower section beneath steering wheel
Remove two screws holding speedo clocks ? bit tricky
Remove upper steering column molding ? pull up and over
Pull out speedo ? pull top towards you then up and out
Unclip rear electrical connector to speedo ? clip has a lever so pull up and over and the connector pops off.
Centre console ? remove two screws in the centre, connecting the upper dash to frame above hazard unit.
Upper Passenger glove box ? remove 4 screws
Remove single screw on same eyeline as above but on other side of centre console
Centre console ? remove all screws and connectors holding each unit in place
Centre console ? remove several other screws within because you want to be able to pull this whole unit forward to be able to disengage the 2 black plastic location pins which are part of the upper dash
Centre console lower kick panel (in floor well) ? remove 1 screw either side.
Centre console (rear) ? push seats fully forward and get in the back. remove the cover on either side to expose the screws. Remove then lift the whole rear of the unit and as it comes free then pull towards you. This will separate the rear console from the front console.
Centre console - Remove single screw near park brake
Gear stick ? remove by pulling upwards
Centre console ? unclip the dark centre panel near the Hill Decent button by pulling up. This will separate the main section so pull it up and over the gear stick but don't disconnect. Centre console (front) ? remove the lower tray, pull from the bottom then let it drop (lugs on top)
Centre console ? remove two main screws behind tray. This should allow you to pull this whole thing forward and separate the locating pins from the frame.
Centre console ? two further screws towards the lower section but are set back that need removal.
Centre console ? unclip the electrical cable anchor points
Passenger air bag ? unclip the 3 connectors and remove the two large screws which secure this to the frame.
?A? pillar Side Air Bags (passengers and drivers side) ? pull out the cover which says ?Air Bag?, remove the screw and pull out carefully.
Upper dash speaker ? this is located in the centre near the windscreen. Unclip the top panel by pulling upwards. Remove the single screw. Pull the button upwards and unclip the connector.
You should now be able to pull out the upper dash assembly. There are 3 lugs; located both ends and 1 in the centre. So lift the whole dash slightly just to loosen but make sure those 2 black plastic centre console locating pins are free. Pull towards you and remove. It takes a bit of wiggling but it should come free if you've removed all the screws.

Congratulations, you've done it.

Replacing it is the opposite but remember two main things:
Ensure the dash is located within the 3 main lugs.
Ensure the dash by the speedos is located behind the frame so it's located in the two square location lugs.

good write up. Must have been a nightmare without some instructions.
I have just replaced mine, not that hard. Can be a bit testy at times.
thanks for the write up, very helpful, saves going in blind.

I see you like digging up some old posts Keegan. Still good to revisit as it just shows how much good stuff can be found here.

I found it much easier just to add a Shevron dash mat.

Covers up the existing cracks that form around the airbag cutout, stops new cracks forming, cuts down the sun reflection on the windscreen, and looks great.

Even if you have replaced the upper dash, I would now add a dash mat to protect it.

uggg mine is terribly cracked and now has a massive crack that goes right through the passenger side shelf.
I am considering pulling it all apart and replacing the dash if I can find one. Assume new are not available or a stupid price?
It is certainly a doable job if I can find one.
Yes I am have a dashmat, put that on back in 2015 ish when it first started to crack.
cheers
P

Cracked dash is to Australia what rusted chassis is to European cars! I have had a dash mat for most of the life but it hasn’t stopped the split around the passenger side airbag seam. Otherwise intact.