Yours, like you said, has had large chunks missing for years. If you can find a lower frame/assembly that hasn't had the sun directly beating on it, it will not be so brittle.

I found one when I was down in Louisiana, stole it for $36 from the local JY, and stored it for almost a year before I got back to WA where they are easy to find in good shape. So then I grabbed the pad and bezel from a yard up here. Got it together a month and a half ago, and man is it nice.

Before:


After:

 

A U-pull-it type JY would be the best bet for a cheap fix. I've seen multiple ones with no cracks in my local yard. They are listed at only $17 too.

 

If you can find one...my local pull a part has 2 rams that have been on the lot for 6 months and are almost completely stripped. These old Dodges just don't die around here or something.....

 

If I wanted to go through the nightmare of shipping a dash again, there was at least 4 97 and back and at least 6 , 98 and up dashes in perfectly good condition at the JY when I went Saturday morning. If I could only get some help once in a while, I'd go down and take them all out. LOL

 

Piece of cake - http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

 

Pick me up a dash bezel and ashtray. I'll pay shipping.

 

You mean this? That I did get while I was there. Cup holder too.

 

Yes, like that. Mines all jacked up.

 

Lower the jack

 

So no offer on price ?