My dash pad is shot. Broken through in two places and beyond the help of a simple dash cover. I hesistate to kick out $300+ for an original replacement, so I unscrewed it and lifted it off. Turns out it was a good idea. I found a previously unknown area where water had seeped under the pad and was rusting the dashboard (on the left of the instrument cluster if you are curious).

After removing the pad, I noticed that the dashboard is a pretty big area, lots of room to add gauges, a glovebox, or whatever cutomizations might strike one's fancy (one having money and skills and time - but not *me* at present). Anyway...

I noticed that there is a larger opening for the intrument cluster in the dash than needed, and that with a little effort, one could raise the cluster up a couple of inches revealing the spiffy chromed lower face of the cluster as well as increasing the visibility of the speedometer and indicator lights. I don't think it would obscure any more windsheild that was already obscured by the dashpad, and might have a nice overall effect. Plus, if/when I can custom-build a new dash cover, I can wrap it right over the top making it look as if it were intended. Any thoughts on this idea.

Furthermore, any thoughts on building a new, or rebuilding the original, dashpad?


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You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?