73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: modular93fox on October 08, 2010, 08:24:08 pm
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Man, after viewing a thread over on another forum, hes recovering the dashes in vinyl and they look good. but if the glue ever started to peel, I know I'd be upset. So, I found a site that has repro dash pads for around 190 + bend you over 45 shipping charge. I really want to try it, and their return policy is right up my ally. If your not satisifed, return it for a refund of purchase price less the shipping. I remember shipping a bumper facia on my 93 mustang via fedex for 25 bucks... it was the slowest 7-10 day option but it was cheap. Anyway, just wondering if anyones tried repro pads?
thanks,
clint
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Chris sells the dash caps on here.
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I would never buy a repro dash. 81-91 dashes were still available from GM last time I got one.
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Talk to Chris for your needs. He is working on another vendor that might have the best solution for all years.
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Chris, please update if/when you get additional info. Would a dash cap 81 on up version fit well if the old dash was stripped down to the metal. I think a hard plastic cover would be great. On a side note, it seems like the early 1981's last a lot longer than the later 85-86.
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I still have a couple of 81-91's left, original GM. I got everything the dealer could get me. None are available now.
Dashes Direct Vinyl skinned dashes are as close to factory as you can get for the 81-91's, I have used these and sold a few myself. Everyone has been happy with them.
I am talking to another vendor that has the whole range of vinyl skinned ones, still not on the books yet though.
I have both OEM and Dashes Direct ready to ship or drop ship.
zieg85
The caps need something to glue to so you can't strip them down and it work. You could fiberglass it smooth though.
As for the recovered ones, that you are talking about modular, I would be weary until it is proven. My concern would be if the vinyl is deteriorating, is he stripping them down and then recovering them, or covering them as is. They do look ok, but I have seen some covered with less seams. But what will it look like a year from now. I just hope he hasn't jumped in to fast. Plus what do the cores look like. It is proven if the original vinyl is curling, it will just get worse, plus shipping dashes isn't cheap, everyone I have shipped has been over $25 as it is WAY oversize.
Who makes the ones for $190 (not the reseller, the actual manufacturer. There is only 2 companies making dashes that are like original that I have found, and both are over 225 + shipping.
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Chris, do you have pix of any installed urethane dashes?
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I hear you on the reskinned ones that I mentioined.... They do look great now, but Im not going to spend the money on that option.. dunno if it would hold up to DD status. I do no know the manufacturer of the dash, I could call and check it out. The Dashes Direct, those are repro's of good quality? Do you have any installed photos of one perhaps. And if you are picky, would you install one in your truck?
Thanks,
clint
edit, where are these dashes on your site catalog, I see covers for 115 and the OE dash for 525. Are the dashes direct covers?
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No, I they aren't listed because no one was buying them. I can put them back in. They are $265 + shipping.
Yes I am very picky and I would use one in my truck.
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How is the fit around the trim piece/vents in the middle of the 81-87? Does it cover the complete dash where you have to take the screws out down by the glove box or just end right above that point?
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Chris- I know we talked about this, but for forum reference can you elaborate on these pads. If these are the ones we discussed, they seem to be the best bang for the buck going. They are an OEM quality reproduction piece that should last for years. They are available in several factory colors and can be dyed as well.
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awesome looking pad. Is the pad hard plastic or soft-ish like the original. Thanks for the photos! How much for econo-shipping. I think fedex is the cheapest, but you probally have the best sources.
Clint
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The vents drop in just like the factory, I can tell you I have a factory OEM straight out of the box and this one fit just as good.
The lower bolts down the dash are there, but they don't have the full metal infrastructure.
The material is just like the original.
Shipping is generally about $25-35 depending on where you are as they are OVERSIZE items.
Ken, this is the one I was telling you about for the 81-87's. They are availible in Black, Dark Blue and Dyeable.
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any disadvanage of not having the metal infrustructure? thanks Chris
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It has a metal infrastructure, just not the full amount. I see no problem with them.
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What about the sites that show you cutting sanding then using an epoxy style product to fill in the bad spots, sanding texturing then repainting?
I notice Summit has OER repro's for under $200 but limited colors, Black Red or Blue, shame i need the dark brown.
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It has a metal infrastructure, just not the full amount. I see no problem with them.
Resurrecting this thread.
Do they have metal under the entire dash pad now, just like the originals, or are they still missing metal when compared to the original parts??
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It is my understanding that these ones are replicas not like the rubber ones you know who sells.
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It is my understanding that these ones are replicas not like the rubber ones you know who sells.
Chris was saying they didn't have the same amount of metal as the originals. I was just wondering if that had changed in the last four years. If it's a 100% replica now that's great. GM isn't making the originals anymore.
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I know. I remember getting these for about $225-$400 bucks and thinking man that's a lot for a dash lol Now look at the NOS prices
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They have added more metal to them in the last update (this year) to fix issues. But they do not have the full extensive metal frame like the originals. I had my last 81-87 dash here and one of these here before I sold it (to a guy overseas) and let them look at them both, he couldn't tell me which one was GM or Dashes Direct. When I told him the GM one was $1500, he bought the Dashes Direct one for $400.
I can get the rubbery ones in the standard colors for under $300, but I don't not keep them here. I think I have some left over ones that I would love to get $175 for....
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have any that will fit a 1980 K10 leftover?
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I can look tomorrow, but they are NOT returnable since you are knowing what you are getting ahead of time. What color you want?
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I can live without the wet noodle look urethane dash.
The Dashes Direct part sounds more like what I'm looking for. Just Dashes is the other option but they're probably well out of my price bracket.
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Just Dashes will restore yours, but last I checked they wanted ridiculous money when you could still get a factory one for $600. They wanted $1500 about 5-6 years ago...
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Just Dashes will restore yours, but last I checked they wanted ridiculous money when you could still get a factory one for $600. They wanted $1500 about 5-6 years ago...
Yup. That takes care of that.
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I can look tomorrow, but they are NOT returnable since you are knowing what you are getting ahead of time. What color you want?
well i would like black but they can always be colored black...i know how to dye :)
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You cannot dye the urethane dashes.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
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I replaced my dash pad with a urethane one and it was identical to the original one. The color was perfect, it fit perfectly and it looked great. I had zero issues with it. It seemed like it was better than the original.
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There is nothing wrong with them visually. They are perfect for driver cars. 90% of owners want the vinyl skinned version so the color can be matched, and they are lighter.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
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There is nothing wrong with them visually. They are perfect for driver cars. 90% of owners want the vinyl skinned version so the color can be matched, and they are lighter.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
Lighter in color or lighter by weight? Because color was spot on and it wasn't heavy at all.
I got the urethane one cuz the color online looked perfect and when it came the color was perfect. I didn't like the vinyl one, the urethane seemed to be more durable like the dashes on vehicles but at the same time it looked period correct.
I don't see what the issue is with urethane dashes. I've seen vinyl and urethane and both seem equally just as good. It just depends on what material you want and how much money you want to spend.
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You aren't having issues with the dash top not staying straight?
The reviews I've read say the Urethane with no metal backing sinks over the gauges and the flat space in front of the passenger. One fellow said it was great all winter and turned into a limp noodle in the summer sun.
The Asian manufacturers want to be Charlie cheapo and steel would add $25 to the materials cost.
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Nope, it's perfectly straight and has a steel packing, fit just like the factory one, had the steel in the same places and the factory dash retainer clips fit perfectly. Went all thru summer and now into winter, summer was abnormally hot and winter so far is abnormally cold, no issues yet.
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Like stated they are great for most all drivers. They are heavier than the skinned version. The don't have the extensive metal frame like factory, and they cannot be dyed, and they don't guarantee color matching.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
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Nope, it's perfectly straight and has a steel packing, fit just like the factory one, had the steel in the same places and the factory dash retainer clips fit perfectly. Went all thru summer and now into winter, summer was abnormally hot and winter so far is abnormally cold, no issues yet.
Are you sure you don't have them reversed in which one you have? I purchased a urethane one and the fitment was not good. It did not sit right over the dash bezel, near the windshield and the trim would not fit. I returned it immediately. The skinned ones look great from what I've seen and have the metal backing.
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Absolutely not. I'm 100% positive and know for a fact it's urethane. I purposely bought it because it was urethane. It has a metal frame, it fits perfectly everywhere and with the trim and the color is perfect.
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I think you are referring to a different product line than the one we were referencing as it has no metal backing.
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Dashes Direct does have metal backing in them. Just not rigid.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
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The one another vendor sells has no metal frame. AKA the rubber blob
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Same one, but the metal is not thick enough to support the urethane weight.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
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I must have just picked a good company and a good product then. Good for me lol "pats self on back"...
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I must have just picked a good company and a good product then. Good for me lol "pats self on back"...
I think i hit it right also, my truck had the original and a badly warped skin on it from prev owner. The foam under was like an old crusty sponge. I got one from brothers truck parts. Good quality and fit, came with all new clips which can be hard to find. Wasnt aware of the site store at the time or would have prob used.