Dash pad quality?

[webfoot]

Is there pretty only 1 manufacturer of repop dash pad out there, or like most things is there a cheaper and a better one? Just wondering before I unknowingly end up with a supbar unit.

[tcb-1]

yes, theres only a few manufacturers of the pads. I was not happy with one of the new ones (plastic feel and no body produced my color). so I bought a black original pad and painted it with quality vinyl paint. much, much happier with the result.

but that's me.... and I'm wayyyy to particular.

[webfoot]

Who sells the better aftermarket pad? I won't find any good used ones around here with all the sun/heat we get.

[bobs409]

I have 3 so far but don't recall the brand(s). These will probably outlast me. These are made differently, have a more solid feel to them and I don't think they will crack easily like originals do.

Now if bumpers and door handles would only last so long.

[AirSpeed]

I bought one for my 72 from Classic Parts and am very happy with it, after over a year it looks as new. I recovered the one in my 69, I added a little foam under some vinyl to hide the cracks. It looks nice as well, a little fatter but nice.
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[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by webfoot

Who sells the better aftermarket pad? I won't find any good used ones around here with all the sun/heat we get.

Hot? Try 58 days of 102 to 108 degrees this summer and no rain over here.
My daughter lives in Astoria, Or. and everytime I call her she's says it's in the 60's or 70's where she's at.

Whatever you wind up getting, be sure and protect it from the sun either with a window shade or a cloth cover that you can place over it everytime you park it in the sun.

I still have the original one in my 68 and have fought to keep it looking good with the window shade and about once a year I wipe it off with a light coating of uv protectant. So far so good.

[rpmerf]

http://truckandcarshop.com/ sell them. I think they are $50 or $45 at shows. I'm happy with it!

[LockDoc]

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Just make sure the one you get has the metal insert in it and you should be fine. I have one that doesn't have the metal insert in it and it feels like a limp you know what...

LockDoc

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Just make sure the one you get has the metal insert in it and you should be fine. I have one that doesn't have the metal insert in it and it feels like a limp you know what...

LockDoc

Do you mean the steel former under the pad? The new one I bought has a plastic former and it is very stiff. Where did you get your limp one? Does anyone reproduce a steel one? Viagra?
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[jugernot]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Just make sure the one you get has the metal insert in it and you should be fine. I have one that doesn't have the metal insert in it and it feels like a limp you know what...

LockDoc

Mine is just like you described. There is also some bolts holes on the front under side of the dash, but no hardware came with it.

Anyone know if it is screws or bolts that go in there? What size?

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by jugernot

Mine is just like you described. There is also some bolts holes on the front under side of the dash, but no hardware came with it.

Anyone know if it is screws or bolts that go in there? What size?

There should be studs attached to the pad that line up to the holes in the dash, studs just like the ones that are on emblems, the studs have speed nuts on them.
Just read again, the holes on the bottom use sheetmetal screws.

[Classic Heartbeat]

We sell Dashes Direct. They are made in the USA and have the steel former in it. WES

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

There should be studs attached to the pad that line up to the holes in the dash, studs just like the ones that are on emblems, the studs have speed nuts on them.
Just read again, the holes on the bottom use sheetmetal screws.

Thanks. It does have the studs attached and there was bolts for those stud, just no hardware (sheetmetal screws) for the bottom. I have to figure what size and go to the hardware store.

Thanks again.

[special-K]

I have a cheap one with no metal in my '72. It's been in there for 10 years and I never finished installing it because I forget all about it. It is just stuck on there with no nuts or even the easy to install screws,and it looks great. I'm a stickler for quality. I bought this when I was just glad someone made a replacement and didn't know of any options,if there were any at the time. My point is it doesn't seem to matter once it's on the truck. If I bought one today I'd probably go for the better quality.

[DeputyDan]

Got mine from LMC and can't tell the difference between it or the original. Has been in over a year and hasn't cracked or faded. Also came with all the hardware for installation.

[TobyArnot]

Originally Posted by special-K

I have a cheap one with no metal in my '72. It's been in there for 10 years and I never finished installing it because I forget all about it. It is just stuck on there with no nuts or even the easy to install screws,and it looks great.

That's cool. Found the same thing with my truck. I figured the PO just didn't bother with the fasteners. My truck sat for 17 years and the "stuck-in-place" pad still holds great. It is however, "Viagra-ed" - stiff and hard..... sorry

[special-K]

That's funny! I'm a mix of busy,lazy,broke,and procrastinator. For about the last 5 of those years the reason it's not fastened is because I plan to change to a saddle interior. At least I know changing the dash pad will be easy! I like the blue interior with white paint better than saddle. Whenever the truck gets restored the color will be changing. I have a general idea but never say a paint color till I'm about to get it mixed. It will go with saddle interior,though. When I sell the truck I stole the seat from the interior will get swapped,or I'll have a custom blue and saddle interior.

[stsalvage]

ya www.truckandcarshop has the best parts and prices in Calif Bought 2 of them and no problems in my 1971-72