Fabric dashboard

[MorrieC]

Just be careful with dash covers for the JL in general. The passenger airbag comes out from there (that's why they're split / that seam runs down the center), and you don't want a piece of plastic rocketing towards your passenger's face if it's deployed.

That is a great tip. Thanks

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[MorrieC]

If not yet, I’d bet they are coming as more coffee and mud happens. I just picked mine up a few weeks ago. I was looking for another Sport, til someone on here suggested the Willys. I looked around and the dealers here were looking to unload 2025s at this point.

The Willys comes like a cross between the Sport and Rubicon. Better axles, rear locker, higher fenders, better tires and wheels, LED front lights package, rock rails. I thought it was worth it for less basic modding.

2025 Willys have deals at this point. Build your own 2026…. not so much.

If I was building a Willys, I’d upgrade to hard top, auto transmission, and upgrade the stereo and call it a day. I’m a 2door fan.

There are some nice benefits of going to the Willys model, just have to really think about the dash if it will bother me in the long term.

 

[MorrieC]

I own a 2024 Willys. It has this same dash. It _looks_ okay but is entirely impractical and runs contrary to the spirit of a Jeep Wrangler. My Willys also has fabric seats but they are a darker grey.

You can order a factory dash replacement from another trim (i.e. Sahara, Rubicon, 392) and swap it. I think they are $300-400. I’m planning to do the swap next year.

I also agree about some of the minor stuff Jeep flubs which would be so easy to fix at the design/factory level for minimal cost.

I prefer the fabric seats. They may not look as nice as the leather but they are not hot in the summer or cold in the winter. That alone is enough for me to get the fabric seat.

 

[Mr. Nimbus]

I prefer the fabric seats. They may not look as nice as the leather but they are not hot in the summer or cold in the winter. That alone is enough for me to get the fabric seat.

I‘m actually a big fan of fabric seats too. It’s hot and sticky down here. I prefer the fabric over leather/pleather. My wife loves her leather though.

 

[MorrieC]

I‘m actually a big fan of fabric seats too. It’s hot and sticky down here. I prefer the fabric over leather/pleather. My wife loves her leather though.

Most of my work cars had leather seats and they got terribly hot at times. I do have to say they do look really nice. Having had the jeep with cloth seats has been quite enjoyable. My 2019 2 door Wrangler Sport S has 107,000 miles and the seats have held up quite well. In someways better than leather on previous cars.

 

[linux_guy]

I bought a laptop case recently that made me question which material is was made from. It felt durable and rigid, yet a fabric. Wondering if the dash might be the same. Feels like it to me based on a relative's Gladiator dash:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene-vinyl_acetate

 

[gek]

2025 Willys….. soft fabric dash. No plastic coating. Another brilliant jeep move.

I looked casually to see if there is an aftermarket to swap it out ASAP. Fabric was a really, really dumb idea.

Jeeps are the only vehicles that you buy brand new, that immediately need $2,000, in basic aftermarket stuff, to make the car how it should have come from the factory to begin with.

Not sure if this is model specific. Nothing says durable off-roader, like light colored soft fabric exposed panels. Not sure if it’s a deal breaker though. Part of the brand‘s core values is to F-up basic, minor details.

Based on other trends I've seen from Jeep, my theory is they put a light colored fabric dash in to try to entice people to spend more on a rubicon with a dark dash.

 

[MorrieC]

Based on other trends I've seen from Jeep, my theory is they put a light colored fabric dash in to try to entice people to spend more on a rubicon with a dark dash.

That is interesting you might be on to something.

 

[Camaroboi13]

My wife’s 24 Willys has that denim looking dash. It bothered me when we first got it. I sprayed 3m scotch guard on it immediately. After going to Moab 3 month later I can honestly say that I haven’t been bothered by it since we bought it.

 

[Ua Nosnews]

I was worried about the cloth dash when I bought mine. After almost 2 years, I finally bumped something into it and made a dark mark. However, it was very easy to remove with some foaming upholstery cleaner. The mark is gone, and the whole panel looks like new. I wouldn't worry about the cloth dash if your on the fence.

 

[SlickRicksWilly]

Fabric dash on the 2024 and newer sports and Willy's. Can't say for the Rubicon or Sahara. Didn't care for it at first expecting it to be problematic. A year later with no proper cleaning, and a lot of the time time topless and doorless, it seems to be a non issue

Here it is nice and dirty a month after I bought it:

Here it is today, 25k miles later:

 

[S2k Chris]

It feels more like nylon or something than fabric to the touch. I didn’t love it but after over a year and 16k miles it’s been a total non issue with zero special treatment of it on my part.

 

[3TV]

My 2025 Rubicon has the dark colored fabric looking material on the dash. I actually like the way it looks. I find it far more visually appealing than the hideous red dash that was on Rubicon models for so many years. In fact, when I first sat in my 2025 for a test drive before I bought it the first thing I said was, "thank god, they got rid of the hideous red dash."

 

[Gio]

When we got our 2024 Willys, I absolutely hated the stone washed jeans fabric. Apparently the rumor was it helped reduce cabin noise. If it does, it is a micro amount.

Our 2021 Willys was in some ways more appealing IMO. I liked the passenger handle more with the "Wrangler" logo and two bolts in it. The handle was more rubberized than the 2024 which feels like cheap plastic.

After some adjusting, I have grown to accept the fabric. I've never had any stains or issues with it.

I do prefer the Rubi dash more however.

 

[X35]

I’m neutral concerning the fabric dash in my ‘25 Willys. Can’t say I hate it, can’t say I love it It looks decent enough I guess

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