Best dash replacement?

[xtremjeepn]

I have see 4 options and would like to know what is best.


Option 1: There is the plastic "cover" that goes over the existing dash pad for about $100. 
     -How good do these really look? Problems with warping in the sun? My stock dash is trashed, foam peeling off, speaker holes rotted all the way through. Is there a point where these just don't work well?

Option 2. Some of the catalogs list two different dash pads. The first one is a factory replacement for about $250. Has anything changed on these from original? How long could one expect these to last before they just end up like the one I have now?

Option 3. There is a urathane dash replacement listed at   also.($225) I guess it does not have the foam? Guess it is not the factory one so what is different? How good do they look? How long would you expect one of these to last?

Option 4: Take it to an upolstry shop and pay anything less than $250 to have it covered Has anyone done this? Picture of what you did?

[VileZambonie]

I would either sand down your existing one and recover it making it have a custom look or buy a brand new GM. DO NOT buy the crappy   one. GM still sells them- they are paint to match or I think he sells GM ones here now too maybe.

[xtremjeepn]

I guess the hesitation I have with the GM one is that they were no good to start with. Why replace a bad part with another bad part?

[VileZambonie]

The GM ones are awesome. They fit PERFECT the problem with the original ones is they cracked but after 20-30 years without ever being conditioned what do you expect? I have the original dash in my 74 crack free that's over 30 years old but it's always been taken care of.

[Captkaos]

I have them all. 

Option 1: The covers are a good alternative if you don't want them to crack as they are thick plastic.  I would still fill in the cracks with sandable expanding foam or something.  I have use them before and they work fine and look good.  81-91's are listed here: http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=18-601&Category_Code=DC

Option 2: factory replacement, these are like the factory ones, but they don't have the thicker steel shell under them.  I have tried convincing the company to upgrade them a little, but they aren't interested.  The actually look good and fit pretty well.  I would use them.  They aren't listed in the catalog, but I can sell you one for $220 + shipping.

Option 3:  The urethane one, They look ok, they won't crack as they are not thin vinyl.  I wouldn't put them in anything other than a driver, and I wouldn't personally use them myself.  They are heavy and flimsy.  They are $180 + shipping for the one I have left (6 of them), another words, what I paid for it.  THESE are ONLY for the 73-80 models, not the 81-91.

Option 4: sand it down, remove the broken pieces, fill the cracks with kitty hair or your filler of choice and coat it with Resin, sand a paint.  It will NEVER crack.

Option 5: we have GM 81-91 dashes available still in the box, they are paint to match:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=GM-8191PAD&Category_Code=DC

[75 C20]

The GM ones are awesome. They fit PERFECT the problem with the original ones is they cracked but after 20-30 years without ever being conditioned what do you expect? I have the original dash in my 74 crack free that's over 30 years old but it's always been taken care of.

i agree
the dash in my 75 is orginal and not a single crak in it-since ive had  it it has been armor alled a lot

[123 pugsy]

I've had good luck with the plastic covers. (73-80) The key I believe is preparing the old dashboard for gluing.

[CruzinHigh]

I love my GM dash pad I just installed.  It fits perfect, and the finish is amazing.   It was laying around for about 5 years now since I have been taking so long on my restore and I just got it in now.  I painted it with SEM brand paint, upholstry / plastic paint.  Use the prep spray first then shoot the paint.  It holds awesome, and even scratch resistant.  (Just dust that's on the dash in those pics by the way!)

[80stepsideguy]

I like to get some input on this specific topic.My cab is a 85 but my dashpad is from a 73-80 style, i went to try n install it for fitment and it doesnt fit very well.Di they redesign the metal support at all some?I want to go with the 73-80 setup but i need to know if it will work before i make another decision to purchase another dashpad.
thanks
pat
p.s. before i scrapped my 80 cab i dint see any tab holes where the dashpad went into but on the 85 cab here there  are tab holes where i removed the old dashpad ,kinda like buides to hold the pad in place.

[dumbucket1]

pat, are you just wanting to put a 73-80 pad on the existing 85 dash? if so I have done that, you have to take the speaker mounts off that are on the ends of the 85 dash, then your 73-80 pad should fit fine. Also you have to use the gauge bezel from the 73-80 but the headlight knob on your 85 cab is in a different spot so your going to have to modify the 73-80 bezel for it.

[Captkaos]

The dashes are exactly the same.  I have installed the Dashes direct on either 73-80 and 81-91 versions of trucks.  The gauge bezels are not the same, so they may not fit perfectly, but they should still fit and look ok.

[123 pugsy]

The top corners on the newer bezels are sharper and may need a slight rounding off to fit better.

[mikeith]

i have the one from   but i havent installed it yet.... hopefully get to this weekend!

[strkr98]

Option 5: we have GM 81-91 dashes available still in the box, they are paint to match:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=GM-8191PAD&Category_Code=DC

Do you have a factory pad that comes black?  I think I have seen some in  .  I was just wondering if the grey was the only color.

[Captkaos]

Do you have a factory pad that comes black?  I think I have seen some in  .  I was just wondering if the grey was the only color.

No, they are gray and have to be painted/dyed to match. 
You haven't seen GM dashes in   that were black.  They only come in gray.  They have a OE dash that is paint to match, but it is $400...