'84 dash cluster rebuild... recommendations?

Hi Everyone, I have seen a lot of posts about dash clusters and various issues. I want to get mine rebuilt, but looking for recommendations. I didn't see any specific posts of who you have used, and why you liked, or did not like, them. There are a few people who sell a lot on eBay, Digital Dash Solutions in CT, and Gary's Corvette in TX. I don't care about the price, I just want it done, and done right. Has anyone used either of these 2? Or can you recommend someone for me? Thanks in advance for the help.

www.zip-products.com has a rebuild service, described as follows: If your Corvette's dash cluster is on the fritz or completely out, consider restoration instead of replacement. Rebuild service includes: disassembly and inspection of unit, all new power supply boards and interboard connectors, new halogen bulbs, and recalibration to factory specs. Rebuild does not include replacement of LCDs. Typical remanufacture time is 7-10 business days. Note: If new LCDs are required for rebuild due to cracked, broken or sun faded displays, average cost per LCD is $75-125 each depending upon year and display. This cost will be added to the rebuild cost of $349.95. CorvetteMagazine.com had an article on how to pull your dash cluster out and send it to Zip. I don't know when it ran, but I can email it to anyone who wants it.

I had my '85 cluster rebuilt by a guy on ebay a few years ago, and it has worked perfectly since. He did a good job, and was pretty quick on the turn around for it, too. Iirc, it took about 2 weeks from the time I pulled it out, shipped it there, and got it back. I think it was around $180?
I can't access ebay from here at the shop...it doesn't recognize my puter....
I can check who I did my business with when I get home, and post it here.


Doh! I checked my email, and found the info....


Here's who did mine and it was $180 then...it's $220 now...yeeesh!


|UPDATED|4/17/2013 9:56:47 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I used the guy in Connecticut for the rebuild on my 84. They pushed for a replacement of a somewhat expensive component which I refused. They did the rebuild about 2 yrs ago and it has worked well since. Turnaround was good and the price was as advertised. Something just over $100 back then.

Well, how about that. I just got back in from the garage after taking care of my dash cluster and caught this thread. Being yours is a '84 you might want a pro to look it over since the first of anything has some weak points that could be fixed for good by someone doing that work day in and day out. My '87 had a cluster that was generally good but had querky issues once in a while. Plus two of the four illumination bulbs were burned out so out it came tonight. The one issue I had was when the interior would get hot on summer days, the cluster would lose a ground connection and would cause the gauges to be very dim while the turn and high beam indicators would light up steady. A very common thing and pretty easy to fix at home. The illumination bulbs are a slight PITA in that the original lamps aren't usually found at the big box part stores. If anyone wants to put the spec bulbs back in, do not get caught by some selling them for $36+ each on the web. Rock Auto has them for under $5 each. Number 882 size. The problem is the originals ran very hot and would/could degrade the socket they're in and possibly the circuit board nearby. The heck with that! I just got new twist in sockets so I could put more standard (and cooler) bulbs in. Number 158's from Sylvainia are just 1 watt less than originals but they're still plenty bright. Being lower wattage will help with the heat problem. I'm watching the Mecum auction as I writing this and there's a lot of C4's going across the block. A '90 ZR1 with 10k just went for $25,500. The hosts keep on saying our series is the downright best value out there in Vettes.

Well, I can see that they are working without a backlight (on mine), so I am going to take it out and see if I can resurrect the dash cluster. Otherwise, I'll be going with this rebuilder:

Here is a video of the LCD dashboard (that I have to have repaired given it is working intermittently):

http://tinypic.com/r/2a7g7mg/5 

This video was taken yesterday evening. As you can see in the video, when I first start the car, it shows bright for 2 seconds), then goes dark. I turn on the lights and then I get the LCD’s at about half brightness. The LCD’s then turn on and off whenever I hit bumps or a few minutes pass.

|UPDATED|9/15/2013 2:42:48 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Just sent my 85 cluster to Batee.com     believe his full service price is 319.00 currently that is replacing and servicing everything.

That looks more like a loose ground issue, or a problem with the connector on the dash itself. Might be worth it to remove the dash, disassemble it, and check the connectors before condemning it.

I realize I'm getting into this late, but have a question.  If the suspicion is it's a bad ground, wouldn't be easy to just run a temp ground from the cluster to the body somewhere and see if that fixes it?  Seems alot easier and quicker than disassembling the cluster.