The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Over the years on this forum I’ve read a lot of stories about good and not so good products. Since I need 2 of em (possibly 3) I’m trying to wade thru the many companies making/selling them. I know I’m not the only one.

Some come in the OEM colors and some are black and you paint them to your desired color. Some are made overseas and some are here in the good ol’ USA. I’m just trying to get some real life, Up to date feedback...cost is not as much a factor as quality, fit, finish and durability (how long will it last). They are a pain to install and no fun returning to the vendor if they don’t fit or of low quality.

Here are a few I have found... I know darn near everyone of us needs a new dash pad at some point :chevy:

https://www.tmiproducts.com/chevy/tr...1-87/dash-pads

https://www.usa1industries.com/1973-...h-pads-covers/

https://www.classicindustries.com/sh...nts/dash-pads/

https://www.classicparts.com/Dash-Pads/products/920/

https://www.lmctruck.com/interior/dash-components

https://www.1aauto.com/chevy-gmc-mol...r/i/1aidc00003

https://www.oerparts.com/shop/1987/c...nts/dash-pads/

https://www.brotherstrucks.com/Dash-...products/2251/

https://www.ecklerstrucks.com/interi...dash-pads.html

https://www.cjponyparts.com/dash-pad...991/p/PAD59-V/

https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...direction=desc

I know there might be more and some of these might be the same product, sold under a different company.

Thanks for the feedback and opinions.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I have always heard the USA1 stuff was the way to go for quality and all.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

There used to be a guy on here that re did the originals. Can't remember his name. Stitch maybe? Also no Idea on cost comparison. Guess I'm really not any help

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I used these folks form my 86 dash pad. Zero issues. Bought last year.
https://www.cheyennepickup.com

Bubba

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I am in the market to get a replacement for my '86. I like the USA-1 pads, but the wait time is a little concerning. I am also liking the cheyenne pickup parts pad as well. Either way I am just looking for a solid replacement pad that can withstand the AZ heat...;)

:metal:

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Thanks Bubba, I missed them.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

USA1 Industries is THE only place that builds them over a metal frame like the OEM. They also have every color for our trucks. Some places only offer a handful of colors, and pretty much all those won’t match very good. And Cheyenne no longer make theirs over a metal frame. The have switched to The urethane frame, to save money.
As for USA1 being slow on the shipping. Their dashes are not mass produced like everyone else’s is. They are dyed in house as the orders come in, same with the door panels. They are a very small company that is having a hard time keeping up with the extreme amount of orders coming in. I ordered my stuff early, I didn’t wait to order and expect to get it the next week. I knew it would take awhile. And it did, 2 months for just the door panels. But it was well worth the wait.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I thought cheyenne quit using the metal frame as they blame it for every single GM dash pad cracking?

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Not every GM dash pad has cracked, mine hasn’t. That is why most people complain about LMC. Is because they warp and crack in a small amount of time. I have personally seen 2 of LMC dashes warp in a matter of 6 months. Both people had come to my house to pick up a bench seat. The 1st one I saw, I made a comment to him about his dash being warp so bad. He said it fairly new, only 6months old, and he was not happy. The next guy that came, same thing, he a a very warped dash. So I ask that guy, did you buy your new dash from LMC. He said yeah, how did I know? They were both from Michigan so it was not like they are sitting the hot sun all the time. Now Cheyenne would probably say the about the Urethane dash because they know what is being said. Because when they first switched over, there was a post about why someone was not able to get ahold of them to place an order. He was finally able to talk to someone at Cheyenne. This person told them that they weren’t taking any more orders until they had everything switched over to the urethane frames. They were asked why, and they said it was to save money. Although it didn’t seem that they passed those savings to us, the prices went up.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Doesn't dashes direct do vinyl over metal frame as well?

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Mine has no cracks or warps. It is original.

Pic was taken in July 2017 and still looks great since I purchased in July 2015.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

T,
i am leaning toward the USA-1 dash, i am guessing by the response that any issue related to money changing & no order delivered is nil? that is my only concern. I did read where the cheyenne dash is now non-metal. I am really wanting a solid dash due to the AZ summer heat! I think in the mean time i am going to try my hand at the refurbashing of my O.G. dash - foam & fiberglass like the you tube videos.... just t osee how it actually works....LOL!!!

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I went with USA1 for my dash pad last year. Perfect fit and color. I bought the complete dash pad with the AC vents and logo already installed.
No problems with the install. The order was slow but I wasn't in a hurry.
I can wait for quality.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

FYI, the TMI do not have speaker holes, in case this is important to you. I was going to buy one because they do look like an well made piece but this stopped me. I'm sure it would be possible to cut the fiberglass backing and put your own in but with the price I was not willing to be the guinea pig.
I'm not sure why anybody would make such a dash, but they do.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the Cheyenne truck parts dash pad. I have promoted their dash pads for several years. The one I purchased DID go in great with no trimming. Unfortunately in just over 1 year time the plastic backing warped and it looks almost as bad as the straight urethane dashes. I contacted Anthony at Cheyenne about the problem. All he had to say is I am the only one that has complained and I could send it back. The problem is, that would be on my dime and would take me almost 2 hours to package properly . I sell parts for a living and only sell the absolute best quality, so I feel I put my reputation on the line promoting their product. I was not pleased at all with their customer service. From here on out it is USA 1 dash pads.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I don't feel that kind of response is ever appropriate, although I've been the recipient of it many times. If I remember right you live in AZ; might be a good opportunity for Cheyenne to refine their product; make it bulletproof........lol......who am I kidding right

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

You aren't the only one disappointed with the Cheyenne dash. Mine is rarely out in the sun but I have some pretty bad warping, particularly around the defrost vents. I read quite some time ago that someone had been selling fake Cheyenne dashes on ebay, which is where I ordered mine. I assumed with all the great reviews on this site that I managed to get one of the fakes. Maybe not, but I got it several years ago.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Well that’s not good.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I ordered one about 4-5 years ago from Classic Industries. They had both at the time. Urethane or on Steele. Got it with a 20% off coupon and it still looks good.
They did send the wrong one first, which I had to send back for the correct one. Urethane was like a piece of wet lasagna.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Mine came directly through Anthony of Cheyenne truck parts at a show. He SWORE to me there were no issues with warping and I believed him! The problem with buying at a show is NO BOX and therefore no way to easily ship it back. I even talked him into being a vendor at the GIT DOWN 2018 because I believed in his products. At the end of the day, I will be better off to sell it and cut my losses. I am pretty picky but this DOES drop almost an inch in the center and has a bad wave by one of the defroster vents. I am sure there are more of us with problems. I may have to start a post to that effect and see how many people actually have a had problems.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Been reading some posts on Facebook regarding the paint flaking off the USA1 dash pads after a relatively short period of time. Anyone having this issue?

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

None from mine.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I regret not buying from USA 1. I made the mistake of buying a plastic backed Cheyenne truck parts one and it warped in less than a year

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Here's my findings on dash pads colors and quality. First let say I have a 1978 Silverado. It has the red 78 interior. the last two part color digits are 11. No one reproduces a #11 color red in a dash pad. Some reproduce the arm rest but that is it, Most dash sellers are selling you a Carmine red color which came out a couple years after 1978 therefore I can not buy one with the 11 red color. as said, Now saying that I was told all dash pads are made by two companies. everyone buys from them ( not sure on the two companies)) but again neither make a 78 #11 red. USA1 buys their dashes from one of these two and buys them all in black. Then they dye them to factory colors therefore my only choice is to have USA1 dye one for me in 78 Red. I talked to them today and they are sending me a sample color for my approval. Very nice people to deal with. They will also sell me dye to match my dash. All good. Will update when I get the sample. Now one more thing they have a 4-6 week lead time on shipping the dash . I am happy with USA1 so far they have been excellent to talk to. PLEASE take this info with some sort of understanding I am only passing on what I heard.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Personally, I'd take one without speaker holes (hey, the real music comes out the tail pipes right? =-) ) In my vehicles, the speaker locations have always been the first thing to succomb to age, crack and fall apart.

Alex.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I am fairly certain that USA1 dyes Dashes Direct Dash Pads (metal backer).

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

The do dye the Dashes. It states that right on their website.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I know they dye them, but the main point was that they are Dashes Direct brand vinyl over metal. Dash Pads that you can order without being dyed already from other sites and DIY. They don't actually produce their own dash as it may sound in previous responses to my knowledge.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I apologize then, when I read it, I was taking it that you were talking about the dye process. My bad:metal:

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

So I just got off the phone with Dashes Direct. I called because their web page isn't working regarding dealers. Aside from USA 1, LMC sells their vinyl covered dash, which is most like the OEM pads, fyi.

We started talking about dyeing the pads, which they both do. The difference is, as stated above, USA 1 is dyeing black pads after they're shipped to them. Maybe they do some kind of baking process with the dye, but he wasn't sure. But, the difference is, Dashes Direct dyes their dash pads during the molding process, which apparently goes up to 300 degrees F. So, the color really is getting baked in.

He said that the dash pads LMC sells are dyed by Dashes Direct to match the color seats/door panels LMC sells. So LMC picks the colors, and hence why they don't match stock exactly.

However, it just so happened that for some reason they had done a batch of correct color for saddle interiors (it wasn't called saddle, but he sent me pics of it and it looks spot on), so I purchased one directly from them. Saved a ton on shipping too. Glad I called.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Good info there! Now my only question to all this. I know USA1 Dashes are made over a metal frame, which has already been confirmed. But what about LMC? They have always been known to be over a non-metal frame. Which is why they warp in a short amount of time. So are they saying that LMC Dashes are now also over a metal frame?

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

They said that LMC sells the vinyl covered dashes with the metal frame. Dashes Direct’s pads, urethane and vinyl covered versions, are both over metal frames per my conversation.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Before I would buy anything. I think I would try refinishing it as shown in these you tube video's:

This first one is a true craftsman (I love his speaker grill inserts-AWESOME idea).

https://youtu.be/05XrGq734u0

https://youtu.be/m3wCdLJAPgE

https://youtu.be/1klhN8ovMfs

https://youtu.be/cJtRCOWebRc

All 4 doing it different ways but all look much better than what they had!

Pretty amazing results by all of them.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

The "in hindsight" question for them would be; why does everybody seem to be claiming the LMC dash pad is warping, yet the same dash pad bought from another souce is not?

Alex.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

Does anyone have a link to the metal backed dash pads from LMC? I didn't see them on their web site.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I didn't realize the ones from LMC that were warping were the metal backed ones. Sorry, not familiar with the history of ones sold at LMC. Was just going by what Dashes Direct was stating - that they are presently supplying dash pads to LMC.

If I was going to order anything from LMC, I'd definitely give them a call and ask what they're selling. Might even be worth calling back Dashes Direct.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I thought the same thing. I just wonder if the person from Dash Directs really knows. Because LMC has the urethane Dashes, and that’s why they warp. Unless they recently made a change, because of so many complaints. I guess that’s a possibility.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I think we need a play book to keep track of all this. =-)

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

I do believe that LMC made a change to the vinyl dashes within the last two years. They were out of stock for awhile, much like the swb bed sides. When they came back in stock, I believe the price had went up on them, and believe I seen the description read different. Don’t quote me on that.

Re: The dash pad matrix...who makes the best?
 

The thread title sucks you in with the promise of a matrix:cool: Sadly I'm still confused (but then again, not the forum's fault:jest:),