Which dash replacement or refurbishment would you choose?

[Skunksmash]

There are a lot dash fixes out there for our trucks, but which one is the best idea to go with? In your experience. As we all know, the dash's in these models like to crack. It is just something these trucks do. Many even get big holes where the little speaker holes are. What would yall recommend for returning the dash to it's factory state? A new dash? Or are those glue on covers any good? They sell those at JCwhitney and they are very thin so as to appear to be the original dash. And, they are much cheaper than buying a brand new dash. So which way would you go if you needed to fix a cracked and holey dash pad?

[VileZambonie]

Either replace it with an OEM pad or install a cover. Chris sells them.

http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=DC

[eventhorizon66]

I was thinking of reusing the cracked plastic pad and applying some 1/4" - 1/2" thick foam padding to it, then wraping that in leather, vinyl, cloth, or tweed.  Watcha think?  I just don't like the look of plastic everywhere.  That's one of the things I hate about late model cars.

[Captkaos]

If you want it to look original your best bet is to get a OEM pad or the covers.  We sell OEM 81-87 Dashpads and as Vile pointed out the covers.

eventhorizon66 PM tvblazer78, he had his covered and it looks really good...

[VileZambonie]

I recovered one once with vinyl and it looked like crap.

[Captkaos]

here are some pics of tvBlazer78's interior.  It should be in Truck Builder soon if not already (haven't found it yet)

[Skunksmash]

How is that done? What about the cracks that were in the dash before he glued the leather on? If they were not fixed it seems like they would show through. If i can figure out how exactly to do that, it may be an option for me as i have access to an upholstery shop that i can have work done for cost. (family) Anyone know if he just cut the leather, then glued it on?

If not, how do those replacement OEM pads look once they have been dyed?

[eventhorizon66]

here are some pics of tvBlazer78's interior.  It should be in Truck Builder soon if not already (haven't found it yet)

VERY NICE!  I would love to do something along those lines.  But alas the interior is last on the list and the list is long and the funds are short.

[ccz145a]

What about the cracks

You beat the cracks flat, get out the loose stuff, then fill and sand just like body work.

[Captkaos]

How is that done? What about the cracks that were in the dash before he glued the leather on? If they were not fixed it seems like they would show through. If i can figure out how exactly to do that, it may be an option for me as i have access to an upholstery shop that i can have work done for cost. (family) Anyone know if he just cut the leather, then glued it on?

If not, how do those replacement OEM pads look once they have been dyed?

He fiberglassed the base and had an upholstery shop sew the leather to match.

OEM replacement pads look like OEM pads.  All 90% of 81-91 factory pads were dyed the color of the truck.

[Skunksmash]

So you just could just use a fiberglass repair kit on the cracks and big holes? But then, did he use injection molding to get the leather to stick? Or is that just sorta glued on there with upholstery grade adhesive? Cause if so, then anybody could do this fairly easily. Well, i mean you could do all that, then buy a sheet of leather and take it to the local upholstery shop.

[Captkaos]

If you don't have any experience with upholstery and sewing, you won't be doing this yourself.  He had a shop do it for him AFAIK.
He removed all the broken loose scaled vinyl filled it in and then epoxied over it.  I will see if he will post a reply...

[VileZambonie]

There was another guy who  did his over smooth, glassed it and painted it.

[eventhorizon66]

I've also considered cutting out the old dash and replacing it with something much simpler like something you migh see in a late-forties/early-fifties Chevy pickup or maybe even as simple as a '32 Ford dash.  Not sure how it would look though.  My guess is either very very cool or like complete garbage.

[VileZambonie]

Here's a smoothed one