Lada Sputnik Revolution 1.3 - Dashboard replacement and installation
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I needed to replace my whole dashboard, so I picked up an old one and restored it completely. This is a DIY instruction on how to make all of these in the comfort of your own home / garage.

It all starts by getting an used old dashboard and all it's accessories that go with it.
By accessories I mean the ventilation openings...
...centre console switches...
...ventilation pipes...
...and in my case, some of the new parts, like the new interior heating radiator, b/c the old one was leaking a bit.
It all needs a good washing, so you can remove the dirt, spider web...
Of course, the dashboard still looks ugly when washed, but that's going to changed when I paint it to black.

First step after this is to disassemble the switches and to make them all look shiny and new-like.
Next step is to start working on the actuall dashboard. Mounting the most convenient parts on it...
And then working on the ventilation. I need to screw them on place, where they will be sealed.

Then we are starting with sealing the parts, so no sounds and no dirt can come inside the cabin. First the glove compartment...
Then the ventilation system and ventilation pipes.

And the ventilation system is finally sealead. Voila!
Now to seal all the small openings on the front of the dashboard.

The next step is to take some sort of body filler and fill those front white sealant before we move onto the painting the dashboard. If you want precision, use BodySeal, instead of BodyFiber.

And it's ready for painting.
Let's just prepare the parts for paiting by covering the parts that don't need to be painted.

The small switch signs are to be painted in metallic silver so they will match the rest of the car interior.
And here are the first results. The switches signs are painted, and so is the dashboard itself.

Now I'm going to paint on the small signs on the switch covers and then paint them with the acrylic transparent paint.
Here's the results.
And here's how the dashboard turned out

Now, rest a bit, before I disassemble the old dashboard...

To remove old dashboard and make room for a new one, I had to remove most of the parts... well, all of the parts from inside of the car.
Firstly, I need to remove the km/h gauge cable, which is in the engine compartment.
Here it is, connected to the gearbox assembly.
Then to remove the gauges instrument.
First you need to remove the instrument cover...
...and then simply to take it out. Remember to disconnect all the wiring and all the cables from the intrument.
Only then you can take it out and remove it from the dashboard.
Then onto the steering wheel.
A wrench no24 will do to take it out.
And then onto the steering wheel cover.
This is a bit tricky part. You need to remove all the small indicators and the engine turning key.

And you're left with this, everything taken off, including the small switches on the left of the steering wheel.
Now the centre console, which is holding onto the four screws on symmetrical sides.

Just drag it out...
...and you're left with no centre console :)
Now, choke cable.
Disconnect the choke cable from the carburretor...
And simply you've got the choke disconnected from teh dashboard.

The dashboard itself holds onto the two small holders and 5 screws. Just unscrew these 5 screws and pull the dashborad to yourself.

And this is the view you're going to get. All dirty and needs to be cleaned before we mount the refurbished dashboard.
Just look how dirty it is from the close-up...
Now, I'm going to replace the old radiator with a new one.
Disconnect the cooling hosing.
And drain all the fluid so I can reuse it.
Old radiator compared to the new one.
This is all the crap that was left from the inside of the old radiator. It all needs to be cleaned.
Now, the heating / cooling starting point is cleaned.
The radiator is installed back to where it was.

The dashboars is ready be reinstalled.
Only few pieces missing... like...
Centre console heating controls, all need to be painted...
As well as the steering wheel cover...
Steerig wheel itself..
And the glove compartment cover.
Here is everything before the assembly...

And the final result!

Content - by pages
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1. News & announcements
2. Introduction & history
3. Exterior photo album
4. Interior and details photo album
5. LPG Installation
6. Sound and thermal isolation
7. Fog lights installation
8. Dashboard replacement and installation - You are here
9. Repairs, fixes and upgrades
10. Technical data
11. My favourite Ladas
12. About the driver
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