Can Anyone Recommend A Decent Dash Pad ?

[54blackhornet]

On completely confused, just looking for black one with metal strip inside..thanks

[68 Stepper]

I just installed one I got from brotherstrucks, it fits and looks good.

[HO455]

This thread may help.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=739020

[Astro-Balls]

What color do you want? I have an original Dash that I am going to recover for sale.

[gmc684x4]

I got one from Scotts Supper Trucks
I do not remember tag on it i think it was oer fit good metal reinforcment
It looked original
Few dacades latter still looks good

[54blackhornet]

Thanks guys ! I have read a lot of disappointing stories about the quality of some of the pads available today. Just looking for a black one. I have had my original one off for a year or so. Getting tired of looking at all the holes across the dashboard...

[lolife99]

I purchased an OER from Summit Racing.
What I got was a Dashes Direct urethane dash pad in black.
I was disappointed in the fit.
Good enough for the truck it was going in, but I would never Use it in a nice truck.
There’s a big hump in the middle that won’t lay down.

Look for a vinyl covered dash pad. They seem to be in the $120-$140 price range if you want a nice dash pad. Dashes Direct use to make them.

[54blackhornet]

Thanks Keith, I just can’t believe it’s so difficult to produce a simple thing like this ?

[sick472]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I purchased an OER from Summit Racing.
...What I got was a Dashes Direct urethane dash pad in black. There’s a big hump in the middle that won’t lay down....

I bought one from GMCPauls that came in a box labeled "Made In Taiwan" with a piece of brown box tape over a "Counterpart" label. I'm not sure why they would try to hide the source, but you could read the label through the box tape. Anyhow, it was a urethane pad with the steel backing strip and it looked great out of the box. Upon first install attempt...I got the same big hump at the top middle and slighter humps at each of the top bolt connections. I used a die grinder with carbide bit to slot the top dash holes towards the rear of the truck about 3/16 to 1/4". This created a slot that allowed the bolts to drop into the dash much easier and eliminated the humps. Either my dash holes where wrong from the factory (not likely) or the bolts in the pad are too far to the rear of the truck. Much more slotting and the original holes may start to show in front of the pad...don't get carried away with this workaround, just do a little at a time until it works out!

Now, every place there is a top bolt, there are very slight indentations due to the bolt sucking the metal strip and urethane down. Nowhere near as bad as the humps, but visible at certain angles. Maybe I tightened them too much, but I certainly did not bear down on them...they are just stamped sheet metal nuts after all. I loosened them up this morning so see if it relaxes as I just installed it last night. Overall, it looks good to me and par for the course with respect to aftermarket parts.

This pad is not for the pickiest of people, but may represent the best of the urethane types.

[truckster]

Please come back and let us know what you went with and how it worked out for you.

[Davidf]

The pad I got from Brothers had metal and fit well

[Stover93]

I got mine from Horsepower Products on ebay. It fit nice and has the metal strip inside. Good communication from the vendor as well.

[External]

I got mine from the truckandcarshop.com
Super nice. Was the first thing I did to the truck. Really makes a difference

[A1971Blazer]

Dashes Direct brand from SoKyClassics.....fit perfectly

[54blackhornet]

I just order a black one from Southern Kentucky Classics on the recommendation of a fellow member, $60.00 + freight. Mike at SKC told me they have had no complaints with them. Been offering them since 2002...will report back after I received it..Jack

[54blackhornet]

Update ! Shipping to me in Oregon was $42.00. Kind of steep but the pad was only $60.00 so I figured $102.00 total for one that is supposed to be good quality is not unreasonable.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by 54blackhornet

Update ! Shipping to me in Oregon was $42.00. Kind of steep but the pad was only $60.00 so I figured $102.00 total for one that is supposed to be good quality is not unreasonable.

right now shipping is insane....the big carriers are swamped with parcels
they can charge what they want

[54blackhornet]

I wanted to update my purchase of the black dash pad from Kentucky Classics. It arrived by UPS in a pretty decent triangle shaped box, no damage at all. Pad it self is polyutherene ? Spelling ? It bolted in perfectly with no issues at all. I had the glovebox liner out so install of the nuts and washers was a sap. I installed all the original Philip’s head screws along the leading edge. Will tackle the the fasteners around the dash bazel when I feel like standing on my head the one around the AM radio is tight but doable..overall I would highly recommend this dash pad to anyone looking for a inexpensive upgrade. Everything about the transaction was painless..

[sick472]

The poly dash in my other car been installed for 10 years. I have 13K on it... Mostly driving it to work on sunny days. So it sits out on those days, otherwise garaged. It looks as good as the day I got it and has not stiffened up. But, I suspect a vinyl one would last that long too.

[dagnabbitt]

Thanks, I have heard people complain that they have a "rubbery" feel to them, but they look good in pics and if they don't crack that's good enough for me.

[damnyankee36]

I'd like to add my experience:

The "Counterpart" pad would not fit as described above.

The "Just Dashes" fell into place. Perfect fit.

[54blackhornet]

I paid $60.00 for the Dashes Direct in 2020, $139.00 today ? WTF ? Over 50% increase. Hate to see shipping costs now.

[damnyankee36]

Interesting. I paid Summit Racing under $60 and $15 for tax and shipping.

Where did you get yours?

What's funny, is I paid $75 for a non-fitting Counterpart pad not including shipping.

[damnyankee36]

Sorry, I just realized you said "Dashes Direct", not "Just Dashes."

[dmjlambert]

I recommend keeping the original and re-covering it with new vinyl. Better than aftermarket stuff.