Dashes Direct 73-87 Dashes - wanting feedback

[roundedline]

Ok guys. I have been talking with Dashes Direct about their dashes and adding them as a vendor. I bought 10 of them and don't plan on selling them as "restoration quality" pieces, just generic replacement for $200. I am wanting feedback from your personal experience on these dashes. If you can, list what model you ordered (73-78, 79-80, 81-91) and what your thoughts were about the quality and any other opinions.

I was told that no one has complained about the dashes and that they are used on all of the top restored trucks. (I corrected him on this as NONE of the top restored trucks are using these -PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) This is the only company that I know of that sells complete aftermarket dashes (none restored). I am trying to work with them and "fix" some of the problems somehow, but I need more outside experience. I will share what mine is once I get some outside info.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[bigblock73]

Chris you know my feelings.

I purchased a 73-80 and was not happy at all. The OEM clips did not fit (it didn't come with clips either), and caused the pad to "bubble" where they pushed up the material after being installed. The drivers side lower portion was not sturdy enough and did not tuck tight against the metal lower dash. You can't dye them (owners change colors sometimes). Of course I am anal...but that is my opinion. I see NOS GM pads on Ebay all the time for around 200 bux. I would get one of those anyday over a DD pad.

...Jeff

'73 swb 2wd

73-87.com

[DnStClr]

I pasted this post from the other thread...
They ARE a lot more flimsy than they should be. I suppose they are like that so you can twist them to fit the left hand side of the dash. But, being flimsy actually works against installation because the flimsiness doesn't allow the left side clips to stay attached to the dash framework. When I finally get it to where I try to attach the screws thru the bezel, the dash pad pulls forward and dislodges the clips! The left (drivers side) speaker doesn't allow the dash pad to go down far enough. So when the bezel is attached, the left side of the dash pad has lifted up in the back and is loose. Also, the left end of the dash pad juts out to the left, and doesn't lay down so the screws can attach thru it. It's not attached at all. Looks bad.
I do like the finish and appearance of the pad. It's done very well. Of course, it's hard to compliment a product when it fits so poorly.
 Don St.Clair

[RSBAD454]

I myself will not buy aftermarket if I can help it....the quality of most products is junk. If you can find a lot of NOS, I'd be into purchasing those. I buy some items from   only to find they are made in Taiwan.....  Taiwan crap on my american steel. Liek I said, if the part is hard to find, then I guess i will have to settle.

Toys are my game

[Neighbor Beast]

they suck i hate mine but u have to leave it in it dont fit and is rwally flimsy

Houston > You

[DainBramaged]

I am in the market for a new blue dash... I am wondering where I can get one for a reasonable price?  Why dont you let me buy one of those at cost and give you feedback on how the installation goes?

[roundedline]

DainBramaged,
If you are asking me this question about doing feedback on installation, I am a dealer for them, so I have these in stock and I already have installed all 3 versions in my trucks to "fit" them.

As for getting them at a resonable price, I will sell you one for $200 + shipping as indicated above

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Edited by: roundedline at: 3/13/06 6:13 pm

[DainBramaged]

Call me crazy but I haven't heard anyone say anything good about those dashes...  I guess I am going to buy an NOS from ebay or an   truck dash.

[roundedline]

I am not disagreeing with you.  I started this thread...
I have about $200 wrapped up in these apiece, so giving them away at this time isn't an option.  I know I can ebay them for $229 and offload them, but was willing to sell it to you for roughly what I have in them plus shipping.

 sells the same EXACT complete dash that I do.  The ONLY manufacturer for complete dashes is Dashes Direct, and that is what   sells.  Only difference is I am telling you it isn't a restoration part and what to expect when you get it.  They aren't....

 also sells the exact same Dash Covers also along with Door panels.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[edcole]

What is the best dash pad to go with in everyone’s opinion?  Is it the dashes direct dash?  I am even considering trying to recover it myself with Morbern All Sport Marine Vinyl from Gary’s Upholstery Products LLC, which is, suppose to be fairly stretchable.  Anyone tried this approach yet?  Any help anyone can give will be appreciated.  

[edcole]

Sorry, I only read the last part of this forum on the “blue dash” forum, did not know it was attached in with the “Dashes Direct 73-87 Dashes - wanting feedback” forum.  I understand the dashes direct are not the one to go with.  Still interested to know if someone has tried recovering one of these.  

[BlakeMcAlavy]

I Would ever buy another one in my life!
Horrible, sags................ Didnt fit, looks like absolute crap. Buyers Beware.

Edited by: roundedline at: 11/3/06 6:45 pm

[CC84]

I found this place online. Has anyone ever used or seen one of their dashes?

www.justdashes.com/Products.htm

[occupant272]

I'll be looking for a dash cap, the brown one in my truck just doesn't look right.  Everything else in the interior is either tan plastic or yellow metal and the brown dash cap looks odd.  I either want a tan one, to match the rest of the interior, or a black one, which would match the cluster bezel I'm looking for, as well as the steering wheel and column which is black.

Is that what we're talking about here, or are you guys talking about WHOLE dashboards?

$229 sounds like a lot of money, $200 is better I guess.  So the caps that go OVER the current dash pad are not supposed to work so well?  I've seen the caps for Datsun Z-cars and they seem to fit well.  Maybe the C/K truck ones aren't made as well?

You sell the dash caps for $93 on your website, how well do those work?  Got them in tan or black?  I wouldn't mind spending under $100 for something like that as long as it fits and looks better than the cracked up brown thing on there now.

Edited by: occupant272 at: 12/31/06 8:55 pm

[roundedline]

The cover/cap we sell works well.  I have installed them and you can't tell it was a cover unless you got inside and looked under it to inspect it.  The key is proper installation.

We have complete Dashes Direct dashes (not a cover) for the 73-80's and 81-87's.  The 81-87's are MUCH better quality than the 73-80 style.  The 73-80 style I can only recommend for replacement quality.  These we have for $200.

We also have complete OEM GM 81-87 Dashes in the catalog for $305.

As for color matching, you best bet is to recolor all of them with SEM paint.  That way everything will match.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project