Shocking found as I'm ripping my dash.(pics inside)
 

This is shocking as I was parting out my dash. I'm assuming it's the support beam. But I wonder how it can rust that bad. The only thing I can think of is that it has been changed before by the prev owner. I checked the other chasis parts but no rust whatsoever. Is it alright if I don't replace it? considering it's concealed within the dash anyway.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...32_47_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...32_48_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...32_52_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...32_53_full.jpg

On another issue, how do I take off the two cables in the last 2 pics? I tried to wiggle 'em and pulled them in the same time but they just won't go off.

Another pic of the two cables
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...32_54_full.jpg

that just looks like surface rust, i wouldnt worry about it. my t2 has/had some.

Thats normal...

don't trip potato chip!

Mine is the same:

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5d16...00&quality=100

I assumed it was getting warm and cold all of the time and thats why it rusted, if you scrub it with a wire brush it'll come clean.

My project next winter is to pull the interior out and rust proof everything :)

almost every dash you take off and you'll see the same thing. its un-coated steel, therefore it rusts very easy.

Yup - they're all like that.

both my civic and rx7 is like that

They're basic plug-in integral connectors. There should be a tab that must be pressed in order for the plug to disconnect; it will probably take some wiggling to get it free, but you need to make sure that the tab is pressed in while you're doing this.

Another question,
I'm planning to change the light bulbs on my a/c console as well.
Thanks to iluvmyrx7.com I found that the parts number is FD01-61-C95
But I don't know what colour & voltage are they? I don't think they're amber coz the amber colour would be from the plastic trim correct me if I'm wrong.
And do you think I can get the lights from the local auto shop?

Yeah, no big deal. I saw the same thing in my girlfriend's van and in my pickup recently.

Nothing to worry about that's normal. I would be more worried about the fact your steering wheel is on the wrong side! :D

Just to back up what 12 other people have said, its normal. I freaked out too when I pulled my dash apart.

It may be normal, but as the saying goes, rust never sleeps.

It happens, it's no biggie.

You can buy leaded 12V lamps at Radio Shack. Remove the burnt lamps, don't loose the plastic piece, but remove the bulb and wires. insert the Radio Shack lamp, bend the wires same as the bulb you removed, trim the excess, and you have a "good as new" lamp for $2. They are clear.

Or you can get fancy and replace all of them with LEDs that have an integral resistor. Mixing bulbs and LEDs is not recommended as they will vary a lot in brightness and the dimming function will be way off. Of course you will have to be careful of polarity with LEDs as well.

You could always put some corrosion blocker on it while you have the dash open.

Where do you find these Leds with integral resistor for 12v systems ? ? ? part number, supplier. ? ? Thanks, Jack

There are several places to check on-line. Best is http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/menutop.htm#1

Also Digikey is a good source.

As I said, it's a big project as you'll have to remove the instrument panel and the H/Vac panel to get at all the lamps. Then there are the lamps in the switches. I thought of doing it but chickened out.

Thanks for the link.