Specificly on the early 2nd gen (94-97) trucks. I'm going to be doing some interior work on my 96' so it won't look like a hooptie anymore lol. I'm going to recover my headliner, add texture to fiberglass repaired panels, and paint them. I'm still debating building my own top dash but not sure yet. If there is any interest in this I will take pics and possibly some videos.

Edited December 15, 20159 yr by The_Hammer

Does the sound deadening material actually make that big of a difference? I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about it's effectiveness. 

Like myself in past vehicles, I've used a layer of felt automotive carpet padding to add in the sound deading. Basically, you're trying to reduce the ability of sound to vibration through the body metal to the cab.

2 hours ago, The_Hammer said:

Does the sound deadening material actually make that big of a difference? I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about it's effectiveness. 

I would say the the biggest difference it made was cutting down the exhaust drone to almost nothing. I don't think it's all that quieter but maybe I set my expectations to high.  I've had a few people say it's noticeably quieter. 

I also ran out of material and this is all I could do for the back of the cab. Didn't have time to wait for more so I'm sure that's not helping . 

*Update on painted door panel*

Checked on the panel this morning and it looked like crap once completely dry. Upon closer inspection I realized that I just needed to apply heavier coats. I sprayed on another coat and after drying it looks great. I'm not sure how I feel about the painted fabric, I have a feeling I'll be recovering those sections sooner than later just because the fabric is so worn. 

I have an idea about securely fastening the fabric insert panels back to the door panel once removed. I'm going to use some machine screws in place of the melted plastic rivets. The plan is to drill a hole through each rivet, insert a machine screw with the head ground as flat as possible, then use epoxy to secure them to the panel. From then on out you can use regular nuts to secure the insert to the panel. 

Something else I'm thinking about doing is putting a layer of fiberglass on the back side of the door panels to add strength and rigidity. Remember, I'm thinking about durability for the long haul. 

I did some testing on my fuse panel cover. I buffed it with some swirl and scratch remover, then some carnauba wax. 

Original light grey.

New charcoal.

Darker color dashes prevent windshield glare. In the same token, they also promote more dash cracking because of the dark color absorbing more heat and UV rays.

38 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Darker color dashes prevent windshield glare. In the same token, they also promote more dash cracking because of the dark color absorbing more heat and UV rays.

I was unable to type after I quoted you above, the site has been pretty glitchy today on my tablet. 

Anyway, I've thought about that and may end up applying a matte clear. The main thing is that I don't want it to look painted, if you know what I mean. 

Any update on this?! I really like where this is headed as I'm in the same boat, I want to keep this truck for the long haul. 

My biggest gripe with the interior is the back seats, or really just a lack of a head rest for the back seat. If not for anything more than safety concerns. Anyone sitting back during an accident is going to have a major head injury from hitting that glass. I just have no idea of how to add something like that though.

I ended up fubaring my new head liner fabric so I have to order some more 

I'm still going to do more work to my interior, just have to wait for funds to free up. My door panels are still looking good after the paint job so at least something went right.

The issue I've got is that I need a new seat foam on the drivers side.  Mopar doesn't make them any more.

Auto upolstery companies have solutions I'm sure.

go to the junkyard and get a passenger seat foam.  You can slightly alter it and have it fit great.  Thats what I did.

With all this interior updating talk going on, I stumbled onto this on Craigslist. 

http://bend.craigslist.org/pts/5363286885.html

 

I have a 97 1500 reg cab lb 4x4 I'm pulling the motor and engine harness out of in Colorado that will be for sale 

http://http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/BBHD69/Mobile Uploads/image_zps9nobehld.jpg