2g dash swap concerns, need opinions

[GsxAZman]

Alright I would like to get some opinions before following through with a purchase. I have a grey interior 2g and I would really love to swap over to black interior starting with the dash. Im going to be getting a good deal on a black dash but before purchasing I wanted to ask everyone whos done it what they think. Obviously im gonna end up with a different vin on the dash. Reading a few other threads obviously its illegal to swap vins. So what does everyone do to bypass this problem? Or if you do swap your vin out to your cars actual vin does it end up looking choppy and obvious. If its more trouble than its worth im not even gonna bother but i would love a black interior in my red 2g. Thanks in advance.

 

[USAF 98 GSX]

I don't know if you have the money, time, space or patience for this, but I had a friend paint EVERY grey interior piece in his GS and it actually looked stock afterwards. As long as you take your time and do it correctly the first time then I don't see why you should have to hunt down black interior pieces. And you wouldn't have to worry about the legality of switching dashes with another car. Let alone the satisfaction of "customizing" your interior.

2G Black Dash...What Years? - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com

Restoring and Painting Black Interior. (Before/In-progress/After) - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com

Sorry about the links to a different forums website. Just using it to show before and after pics.

 

[GsxAZman]

Yeah thats a good suggestion but looking at the links you provided it seems like people were saying painting your dash wouldnt stand up that well to the heat. Yuma AZ is one of the hottest and sunniest places in the u.s. so not sure how well that would work out for me. We get temps in the 115's over here. I have a yukon and the previous owner painted some replacement trim pieces to match oem and the paint has almost completely came off. If I knew it would last I wouldnt mind spending the winter doing this project. I noticed people saying SEM spray was the best. Anyone have experience with this paint?

 

[AK Maniak]

I've heard of people swapping the vin plates when doing a dash swap and while it still is illegal you atleast have the same vin. Honestly though, it'd be hard to get in to trouble for something like that. I've seen a few members mention that they won't do it because of the legal issues but after a quick look at their profile I noticed they weren't running a cat . You'll be fine unless you think you'll lose sleep because deep down inside you are a criminal

 

[4g63turbo84]

You can go to a junk yard and pull a black dash out of a dodge avenger and all you will have to do is swap the wiring harness that way you have a true black dash

 

[AK Maniak]

You can go to a junk yard and pull a black dash out of a dodge avenger and all you will have to do is swap the wiring harness that way you have a true black dash

He already found a 2g dash to swap in.

 

[empie1]

Dremel out the rivets on your vin plate and the new dash. Than just re rivet your vin plate. And buy my dash set up .

 

[spyderdrifter]

I've swapped the dash to black on all my DSMs except the current one, but I have a black one for it. All I do is drill out the rivets that hold the VIN plate on for each dash, and rivet the proper plate to the dash going in the car.

 

[Purple_Demon]

You should have a VIN number on the drivers door jam. It cannot be swapped as it is a sticker. IF you are pulled over just inform the officer the instrument cluster was faulty along with a broken dashboard and you swapped a new one in from the junkyard. Also point out to the the VIN in the door jam.


There should also be a VIN in the engine bay behind the battery. Silver DSM sticker on the firewall.

 

[AK Maniak]

You should have a VIN number on the drivers door jam. It cannot be swapped as it is a sticker. IF you are pulled over just inform the officer the instrument cluster was faulty along with a broken dashboard and you swapped a new one in from the junkyard. Also point out to the the VIN in the door jam.


There should also be a VIN in the engine bay behind the battery. Silver DSM sticker on the firewall.

Since when does a cop check the VIN plate on your dash when you get pulled over?

 

[finesse49ers]

I also swapped dashes and retained my VIN plate. I don't see the big deal in this, if the VIN plate is such an issue just leave it off altogether. It's not like the VIN can't be found on other places such as the registration.

 

[USAF 98 GSX]

Yeah thats a good suggestion but looking at the links you provided it seems like people were saying painting your dash wouldnt stand up that well to the heat. Yuma AZ is one of the hottest and sunniest places in the u.s. so not sure how well that would work out for me. We get temps in the 115's over here. I have a yukon and the previous owner painted some replacement trim pieces to match oem and the paint has almost completely came off. If I knew it would last I wouldnt mind spending the winter doing this project. I noticed people saying SEM spray was the best. Anyone have experience with this paint?

Just like all other DIY paint jobs, its all about the prep work and your paint experience. My friend which decided to paint has had his dash painted for almost two years now and he has yet to have a problem with any of his pieces. Obviously if you choose to paint ANY plastic or vinyl pieces with the Lowes' 97 cents, buy one get one free spray paint, then you will have horrible results. However, there are paints that are formulated to adhere to odd surfaces like vinyl.

I also swapped dashes and retained my VIN plate. I don't see the big deal in this, if the VIN plate is such an issue just leave it off altogether. It's not like the VIN can't be found on other places such as the registration.

I definitely agree here also. If the OP already has a full dash ready for purchase and its for a great price and in great shape, then why not do the swap. You can swap the VIN plates with no worries. How many times does law enforcement officers or anyone at all check to make sure that you have the correct VIN plates installed in your dash. Some people cover their dash VIN with index cards anyways or with some type of object. I don't see any reason why you can't swap it out. And then you can paint the rest of your interior to black to match.

 

[GsxAZman]

Okay thank you everyone for their comments. I definately won't lose sleep if I swap the vins out. I was more worried about how it would look when swapping the vins, as in looking obvious that some tampering was done, but it seems as if people have had good success with popping the rivets out and re-riveting.
I think its a really good price for the black turbo dash and I will most likely end up going with the purchase since I can pick it up and not have to worry about shipping. I was also leaning away from painting my interior since I didn't want it smelling like a rattle can in there after the paint bakes in the sun. Maybe ill end up painting a few small interior pieces I can't source down the road. Thanks again..

 

[GsxAZman]

Everyone has given great advice. I planned on doing the same (swapping over vin plates).

As far as the remaining grey interior pieces, I recommend covering them with carbon fiber overlay

Yes I was definately thinking that as well. I like the wrap but not the flat look, heard of people not liking the outcome after clear coating the wrap. Also where I live we have extreme 115 degree summers and so everything gets put through more abuse down here. You should see the sun fading that some cars as new as 08 go through over here. Our summers are viscious. If I can keep my car in my garage as much as possible than I can consider that but if my girl ends up taking my garage space with all her knick knacks then im screwed parking the car outside. Already had to pull one of my 1g's out after she started cramming junk in my garage haha. I told her it's my garage and she can have the rest of the house!! I guess I can share though since I still have 2 dsms in the garage.

 

[AK Maniak]

Yes I was definately thinking that as well. I like the wrap but not the flat look, heard of people not liking the outcome after clear coating the wrap. Also where I live we have extreme 115 degree summers and so everything gets put through more abuse down here. You should see the sun fading that some cars as new as 08 go through over here. Our summers are viscious. If I can keep my car in my garage as much as possible than I can consider that but if my girl ends up taking my garage space with all her knick knacks then im screwed parking the car outside. Already had to pull one of my 1g's out after she started cramming junk in my garage haha. I told her it's my garage and she can have the rest of the house!! I guess I can share though since I still have 2 dsms in the garage.

Haha I know how you feel. I practically gave my girl my Audi just so I could keep the garage for my DSM. To be fair though my living room has a mountain of parts.

 

[USAF 98 GSX]

Any update on the dash swap? Pics before and after would be nice

 

[GsxAZman]

Any update on the dash swap? Pics before and after would be nice

Gonna pick it up this weekend.. Wasn't planning on installing it though until it cools down some. I may get going on it sooner though. If I get it done early ill post some before and after pics but if not I won't bring a thread back from the dead. Trying to acquire the black center console from GaryMitsu-Mitsubishi Graveyard. If so I got a great start with the black dash and black console for the swap.

 

[Atuca]

I have no idea why, as I have a 99 GSX with black leather interior, but there is no vin plate on my dash

However when a cop had pulled me over once, he checked my vin on the door after noticing it was missing on the dash and everything was fine.

Just thought I share my experience.

 

[99boostedgst]

just my .02 cents my mom is a vin inspector here in wichita,ks and if she seen the guy above me's dash then that would be a red flag and your inspection would fail, and possibly take your car, but if you dont plan on selling your 2g OP then you dont have to really worry about the vin.. but if you are planning to sell in the furture then i would recommend putting it on, or your car may just end up getting crushed and we dont want that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i understand the 2 other vins on the car are there but some states have to have 3 VINS on the car other wise its junk and cannot be drivin in the state...

dustin.