Dash Upgrades

[Turbo 900]

I currently have the optional wooden dash in my 1998 900SE. What kind of prices am I looking at to take that out, and replace it with the $286 Carbon Fiber dash? Anyone find the factory Saab CF Dash for cheaper? I also have wooden door handles, which they no longer make (and they don't make the CF ones either so I'm stuck for that option).

Jeremy I know you have the CF dash... can you comment on the quality of it and does it heat up a lot in the summer?

Thanks.

-Bill

[joshd2012]

Where are you getting the dash from?

[ricot83]

my buddy's shop does installs like this he told me that for $350 for billet dash kit which includes the shift column the center dash and the driver side dash as well i believe

[SPATL]

I have the saab CF dash and like it a lot. I also got the 9-5 CF shift knob which is a nice touch as well. Minor modification to make it fit on the 9-3. Both are very good quality. The dash removal and install is pretty easy. I have a post about it somewhere if you need it.

The price you state is good. I got mine for around $300. Good conection with the dealship around here. It was tough to source and took over a month for them to get so any CF stuff you an get migh be the last ones hanging around. Grab it while you can. I hated the wood in the SE's so the CF was a nice upgrade.

The dash gets no hotter than the wood so no issue there. You can do the install. If you want the removal and install instructions, let me know and I'll post them or link them.

[Jeremy R.]

I'm very happy with my carbon fiber dash, too. It's coated in a very thick, very shiny layer of epoxy, so it should hold up well. The fit is next to perfect, and it went on very easily. I couldn't see paying $300 for the thing, but I lucked out and got mine on eBay for just over $100 a couple of years ago. The door handles cost just as much. I also have the 9-3 carbon fiber and leather shift knob. Barrier Audi/Saab in Bellevue, Washington had a pair of carbon fiber door handles in their display case for a long time. They might still have them if you give them a call.

[sethsev7n]

hmm.. i really like the wood dash honestly, and those wooden door pulls. Let me know if you get rid of them

[supergreg]

I also got a CF kit on Ebay for a little over $100 but I did a horrible job sticking it on my dash. I guess I didn't clean it as well as directed. This summer it started to really melt off so I just ripped it all off. The only part I left was on the overhead console, becuase it was the only piece that was permanently stuck.

Is the dealer kit really that much better? I loved the CF look, but I want it to look better than the stick on.

[Turbo 900]

"Where are you getting the dash from?" -joshd2012

The dash is sold on the offical Saab website (in their catalog).

I was brousing on the classifies on Saabnet, and even the used wodden dashs are selling for $150 (for the factory Saab dashes). Hopefully I can get a good deal on a Carbon Fiber and selling the Wooden will go well. I could always put the Wooden dash in my '97 900SE, but I don't drive that car too much anymore. The doorpulls is what I worry about the most (having wooden and CF would look bad in my opinion).

What is the link for removal and installation for the dash, SPATL?

Thanks.

-Bill

[bkrell]

I like the brushed aluminum look dash myself. Hard to find, though. I just never liked the CF look. I guess I'm the odd one, though...

Good luck with it!

[Turbo 900]

I want to make sure a get a perfect fit, and a kit that has great quality- the official Saab kit is probably the best choice.

Saab doesn't make a brushed aluminum kit, although I think it would be really nice.

-Bill

[joshd2012]

Is the official Saab one a kit, or is it a whole dash. I get the feeling that the discussion is about two different things.

In other words, are we talking about removing the plastic piece and replacing it with a carbon fiber piece, or just covering it?

[Turbo 900]

The 'dash kit' goes on top of the black plastic. That is the only type offered for the NG900 to the best of my knowledge. They do have some different kinds of kits offered for the new 9-3s and 9-5s. I think both are applied on top of the dash though. One covers a larger area (shifter area, some controls, glove box, etc), and one just covers the main area of the dash. I'm not positve about that though.

I just want to replace the genuine/factory Saab wooden dash (kit), with the carbon fiber one.

-Bill

[bkrell]

Check these guys out. Best price I've seen for brushed aluminum-look. They've got something for every taste.

https://www.dashkitstore.com/details.php?id=618

[SPATL]

Originally Posted by Turbo 900

What is the link for removal and installation for the dash, SPATL?

Easier to post them here as they there from somewhere else:

Easiest way is to remove the steering wheel first. Not essential but you'll be glad you did. Extra 5 minutes for the steering wheel removal.

I have put two sets of instructions together in one post as I found that safely removing the dash is much easier done when the steering wheel is removed. You don’t need to remove the steering wheel to remove the dash but it makes the process so much easier that it is worth the extra 5 minutes to do so.

Steering Wheel Removal and Installation

Tools
22mm Socket
½ in Ratchet and extension
4-5mm Allen key

Removal
1) Disconnect the battery
2) Make sure wheels are straight and steering wheel is dead center
3) Release the steering wheel adjustment from the bottom and pull the steering wheel to its outer position. (this is only needed for later to remove the steering column covers around steering wheel for dash fascia removal)
4) Remove the Allen key screw covers off on either side of the steering wheel and unscrew the bolts until you can tell that the center airbag has released
5) You can pull it forward a little to see how it is connected by three wiring harnesses
a) There are three harnesses, 1 white (airbag wiring attaches to center module), 1 black(also attaches to center module), and 1 gray(attached to steering wheel)
6) Unplug all three harnesses and remove center module.
7) Loosen and remove center bolt with 22mm socket
8) Remove steering wheel while carefully feeding the 2 harnesses through the hole above the center of the steering wheel.
Installation
1) Feed harnesses through the hole prior to slipping wheel onto center bolt. Once they are through slip steering wheel onto bolt making sure it is properly oriented.
2) There is a notch on the top of the center spline to line the steering wheel up to the column. Slip wheel on until it locks into the notch.
3) Install center bolt
4) Plug the 3 harnesses back into their respective holes
5) Line up airbag unit to the guide pins on the top part of the module to the steering wheel
6) Press in slightly to line up side screws, tighten side screws
7) Reinstall screw cover caps


Dash Fascia Removal and Installation

(While it is not necessary to remove the steering wheel to remove the dash fascia, it is worth doing for ease of installation. You will be glad you did!)

Tools
T25 Torx bit screwdriver
2 Flat Screw Driver
Radio Removal Tool (I stopped by the dealership and used theirs to just pop it and pulled it out about an inch until I got home…it was free to use)

1) **There are 9 screws in total to be removed from the dash fascia AND 3 screws on the steering column covers**.
2) Remove the steering column covers (3 screws, 1 on either side, and 1 on underside.)
3) Start by removing the light switch in the upper left by pulling it straight out. Unhook the switch from it is harness. *Note, there is one screw inside this area to be removed later
4) From inside the hole of the light switch, start pressing out the switches and removing their harnesses. Start from the top working down. Make note of which harness goes to which plug. I used a piece of tape and wrote its location on each. There is another screw in the hole next to the dimmer switch.
5) Pull out the radio after releasing it with the radio removal tool.
a) Unplug the connectors from the radio (there are 5 connectors. Note orientation of colored connectors)
6) Press out the SID unit from behind through radio slot, and plug the connector
7) If you are changing out the dash:
a) Remove the radio-mounting frame with a flat screwdriver. I think there are 4 clips that need to be pried up to remove the mount.
b) Remove the SID mounting frame similarly to the radio mount.
8) Unplug the bulb for the “Fasten Seatbelts” light
9) Remove the Hazard light, by pushing the button so it comes forward, then stick a flat screwdriver on either side of the switch and pull forward. There are slots on the side of the button where the flat screwdriver will fit into. Unplug harness.
10) Remove all 9 retaining screws :
a) 1 inside the light switch,(1)
b) 1 inside blank to left of dimmer switch (1)
c) 1 on either side of steering wheel below column (2)
d) 1 vertical inside area near speedometer (2)
e) 2 inside radio slot (2)
f) 1 inside top of SID unit
11) Loosen the top of the fascia and check that the catches on either side of the fascia release.
12) Remove Fascia.
13) Transfer “Fasten Seatbelts” symbol onto new dash if needed.

Installation is in reverse.

Notes. Work slowly, be sure not to unclip the plastic piece on the back of the air directional grill or you will be putting a jigsaw puzzle back together.

The Carbon Fiber Dash and '02 leather steering wheel look great! The 9-5 Carbon Fiber Shift knob makes for a nice compliment as well.

[Jeremy R.]

Originally Posted by supergreg

Is the dealer kit really that much better? I loved the CF look, but I want it to look better than the stick on.

The dealer kit is very good. Mine was a factory Saab kit, and still only $120! The carbon fiber overlay goes right to the edges of the dashboard, and the edges of the button cut-outs are nicely beveled. It uses a 3M adhesive that I don't think is ever going to give up, and it came with some sort of a 3M preperation pen. You rub it all over the plastic that it's going to go over and stick the dash overlay on. The kit also came with overlays for the SID and radio, but I thought they looked cheesy so I didn't use them.

[Turbo 900]

If anybody sees a good price on a Caron Fiber dash, let me know. :wink: (the factory Saab one)

Thanks for the instructions SPATL.

I just checked out the site that bkrell gave me. I think it's the best, non-factory, dash site I've ever seen. I'm going to contact them and ask if I can just order the parts of the kit that would cover the existing dash parts that are now covered in wood. They do offer "real black carbon fiber." I'm not sure how "real" it is... they also offer the carbon fiber in red, blue, yellow, etc. Either way, all I care is that is looks and feels nice- and won't fall off. Thanks for the site bkrell.

-Bill

[bkrell]

At least I turn up one link every now and then! Yeah, I've got some big plans in the works, but...until I get the a/c in my honda fixed, they're just plans...

I came across them after an extensive Google search.

[SPATL]

The aftermarket stick on dash stuff can't be put on the SE wood dash fascias. They are too high and won't allow for fitment around the knobs. Thay can be used with the base gray dash fascia. That was one of ther reasons I ended up with the Saab factory CF dash Fascia. I got mine for around $300. Thay are hard to find these days as they are discontonued. Some are still around but you've got to search for them.

[Turbo 900]

I think my wood dash that came with my car is stick on. It's raised quite a bit... is this true?? I'm pretty sure it was an extra option installed by Saab or the dealer.

[SPATL]

I believe the SE model came equipped with the wood dash throughout. I know that for sure in the 9-3's. Not completely sure of the 900's.