E body new dash pad option availability

[carlambecrombe]

I'm sorry I'm not familiar with legendary Auto interior dash pads but I will tell you that some of the brands out there are made with ABS cores. As far as I know just dashes and ABC moparts are the two that refurbish dash pads and have a steel core. A steel core is preferable to avoid any potential warpage from extreme heat . Some have reported that ABS cores can have some vibration while driving.
Unfortunately I don't have any experience with changing a dash pad in place but from my understanding it can be done but the front four screws require some creative use of I'm extensions and swivels. I decided to refurbish my entire dash so I pulled it. I was surprised how easy it was. When the steering column down it was a matter of literally four screws in the front the two nuts on the side and disconnecting the fuse box heater cable wires in a couple of vacuum hoses. Once you have the dash out it's nice because you can go through and fix wires and light bulbs etc. I've included a couple of pictures of my dash frame mounted to the jig.

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Thanks. That looks like you are doing OK with some daunting work. Also, classic looking Cuda you have there!

 

[heminut]

What is involved in the removal and installation of the refurbished pad? Is it a bear of a job?
Thanks from So CA

I did mine with the dash assembly in the car. It wasn't bad at all and I'm 70 and not very flexible anymore. You have to remove your glovebox and I took the instrument cluster out also. I believe there are 12 nuts holding it on.

 

[EW1BH27]

Here's the location of the PAL nuts. There's 4 bolts for the defrost vents too. I've swapped this out with the frame in the car (like heminut) a few times and I "think" I took the instrument cluster out too. I have a, soon to be, 69 year old brain, old info has been replace with UFI.

 

[6PKRTSE]

I re-covered my own. My car is not a 100% oem resto, so I wasn't worried about high dollar perfection. It came out nice. However, I had to cut through it anyway for my A pillar bars for the roll cage.

 

[hsb shadow]

Here's a quick update. They're building my dash pad today and I should get it back next week. Here's a picture of the refurbished gauges cluster all the switches and relays waiting for the new pad

 

[hsb shadow]

Here's a picture of my new dash following completion. Bob at ABC moparts was kind enough to forward this prior to shipping it

 

[krr1742]

Has anyone used a dashpad from dante's, theyre prices are a bit lower, just wondering if thyre as good of quality

 

[hsb shadow]

I could be wrong but I don't believe they sell the steel core dash pads anymore. I think somebody had said on another thread they were selling those through an alternate supplier but had quality issues and consequently discontinued them. To my knowledge the only two manufacturers of steel core dash pads are just dashes and ABC moparts. I think when I checked just ashes was over $2,000 including shipping but they do a very nice job.

 

[hsb shadow]

Well I just wanted to update anyone who's interested on the dash restoration. ABC moparts did a fantastic job with the dash pad. I finally finished the complete rebuild of the dash along with all the gauges relays, etc. I threw a picture of my blazer build which is being done at the same time. This dash is one that was damaged and I actually restored myself and retextured and came out really nicely. Again I'd like to thank Bob Baker at ABC moparts for the fine job on the pad.

 

[gran coupe john]

Had a lady in Texas do my original core. She did a good job, about $700. That was a couple years back.

 

[hsb shadow]

I believe there's a lady and her dad who have been making dash pads but have really sold a lot of bad ones. I think they're based out of El Paso.

 

[gran coupe john]

Don't recall that. It was a small town in Texas