87 dash pad

[GSOUTHERN]

What is the best new replacement dash pad going right now? I know there are some older threads on this, just wanted to get some current opinions. Thanks

[tucsonjwt]

Do not get a cap to cover your existing dash pad, that is all I know.

Also, in the desert southwest, any dash pad made of plastic will likely not work out very well. Everything made of plastic distorts in the 115+ degree heat out here (115 degrees translates to about 160 degrees inside a closed vehicle.)

[bennylava]

From what I can tell, we don't really have one yet that approaches OEM very well. Someone please correct me if I'm missing something here, cause I'll probably buy it if you know of a good one. I think sometime in the future we'll probably get one that is close to stock, but it doesn't look like we have one now. Right now you've got to pay through the nose for NOS to get something that really looks good.

[TKCR]

Cheyenne Parts

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=736613

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by bennylava

From what I can tell, we don't really have one yet that approaches OEM very well. Someone please correct me if I'm missing something here, cause I'll probably buy it if you know of a good one. I think sometime in the future we'll probably get one that is close to stock, but it doesn't look like we have one now. Right now you've got to pay through the nose for NOS to get something that really looks good.

I have a Cheyenne Pickup Parts dash pad and it is perfect. So nice in fact, that it gets compliments from everyone who peeks inside my pickup. Get their dash, be happy, never look back.

[Myers horsepower]

does anyone know how these dash pads compare to the ones Classic Parts sale?

https://www.classicparts.com/1973-78...nfo/30%2D817R/

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by RotaryRocketeer

I have a Cheyenne Pickup Parts dash pad and it is perfect. So nice in fact, that it gets compliments from everyone who peeks inside my pickup. Get their dash, be happy, never look back.

Do you know if that is the same dash that is linked in the post above this one?

Also, could you possibly post up a pic of your dash from cheyenne? I can tell if I would like it by looking at the pics. If it doesn't have any of the problems my aftermarket dash does, then yes I will probably buy it.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Here are the couple of photos I have on my phone. The little gap you see above the right corner of the bezel, is due to the bezel and not the dash. He really does make a high quality piece, and told me that they're made by hand, in-house. I can try to get some more later on. Out of town today and the truck is at home.

[bennylava]

Looks pretty good. I would like to see a pic or two from the passenger side, but that one does look somewhat better than the one from classic truck parts. Mainly in the texture. The stock dash was somewhat... smoother than the texture of the one from classic. Since I'm dealing with an 87 though, its a bit hard to tell if it would pan out as well with the different dash shape of my truck.

I was trying to figure out if it was in fact the same dash, that 2 different companies are selling. Of course my dash is more flat on top from the factory, and the one from classic just isn't as flat as OEM was. Its got some small lumps and waves that you can't get out. They are there in every pic that someone posts up who has the dash. And they are noticeable, its not something minor that you really wouldn't care about. Not if you're wanting to get as close to a factory look as you can. To me it looks like the dash is already old, and has sat in the sun or the heat for too long.

[TKCR]

bennylava, check this thread out. Post #17 has pics of this dash installed. Ultrahd4me has used several of these dashes

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=Cheyenne+dash

[TKCR]

Here's another thread about dash pads:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=Cheyenne+dash

[obijuan]

After having the Cheyenne pickup brand I wanted to try the dashes direct. I prefer the dashes direct with the steel core. It also has a more pronounced corner on the passenger side. Cheyenne is a softer edge and softer and squishier overall. It did not match my blue. It was too dark. The dashes direct though didnt fit right out of the box like the cheyenne did. It required trimming in many areas to fit like I expect from a 400 dollar dash. It's the better of the two all things being considered.

Both of them need more structure in the center behind the speaker opening nearest the glass.

[rainamy]

Brothers had a sale on the steel reinforced vinyl skinned dash pads. With the percent off and the free shipping I think at the time I paid about $229 out the door, including no sales tax.

It was for a 77, but they sell 81-up too.

Might be worth waiting for a sale to grab...

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by bennylava

Looks pretty good. I would like to see a pic or two from the passenger side, but that one does look somewhat better than the one from classic truck parts. Mainly in the texture. The stock dash was somewhat... smoother than the texture of the one from classic. Since I'm dealing with an 87 though, its a bit hard to tell if it would pan out as well with the different dash shape of my truck.

I was trying to figure out if it was in fact the same dash, that 2 different companies are selling. Of course my dash is more flat on top from the factory, and the one from classic just isn't as flat as OEM was. Its got some small lumps and waves that you can't get out. They are there in every pic that someone posts up who has the dash. And they are noticeable, its not something minor that you really wouldn't care about. Not if you're wanting to get as close to a factory look as you can. To me it looks like the dash is already old, and has sat in the sun or the heat for too long.

This is the specific dash for my year model (1976.) Cheyenne sells a dash specific to the later years as well, so the one you would purchase would be slightly different in shape and size. All of their dashes are made in the factory style, vinyl and foam over a steel core. I'll post up some passenger side pics tomorrow.

[TKCR]

Dash pad years:

73-80 and then 81-91

[gmachinz]

Wait tho...isnt the VIN in a different spot for 79/80....or something to that effect?

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

Wait tho...isnt the VIN in a different spot for 79/80....or something to that effect?

I'm not sure if it's those exact years, but yes. There are a couple odd years in there that have the VIN "window" cut out on the older style pad. Cheyenne will do this for you as well. They ask the year when you order. Best just to call them and leave a message. Very pleasant people to deal with.

[Ol Blue K20]

Heres some pics of my Cheyenne dash I installed in my 89 V3500. I'm very impressed.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by obijuan

Both of them need more structure in the center behind the speaker opening nearest the glass.

This is my main problem with all of these dashes. As you can see in Ol Blue's post above this one, and in some of the other pics in this thread, there is a problem there. My factory dash may have had cracks, but it did not have this problem. Its quite visible. They need to get that problem solved if they're going to be charging this much for these dashes.

You can press down on it with your hands, and see that you can make it go into the correct position and basically look factory all the way across the dash. But I don't know of any way to make it stay that way. To me they all look like a factory dash that is having a problem with warping.

[rainamy]

Originally Posted by bennylava

This is my main problem with all of these dashes. As you can see in Ol Blue's post above this one, and in some of the other pics in this thread, there is a problem there. My factory dash may have had cracks, but it did not have this problem. Its quite visible. They need to get that problem solved if they're going to be charging this much for these dashes.

You can press down on it with your hands, and see that you can make it go into the correct position and basically look factory all the way across the dash. But I don't know of any way to make it stay that way. To me they all look like a factory dash that is having a problem with warping.

Understandable point.

To me, I'm just happy the effort is being made to bring product to market. Not aware of any 87 f150 complete replacement dashes out there.

From time to time I remind myself it's a truck, and build quality at gm from 1973-1987 was "it's good enough" much of the time. When I want 2016 quality of fit and finish I buy.... a 2016. Otherwise, I get the best I can, and trust that market forces will dictate an upwards move in quality - when someone wants to steal market share, they'll improve the product.

One last point: production components (like the inner cores) need to be purchased in batch runs from the subcontracted manufacturer. You need to 1) use those up and 2) recoup your initial molding costs before going back and creating a new mold for new cores ($$$$$) that would attempt to address factors like a small sag before reworking things from the start again. It is still a business, and as such, needs to make money.

[bennylava]

There may be some way to fix the issue. Mine is plastic underneath, but perhaps the steel ones could be taken off and slightly bent a few times in that area.