Dashes Direct 73-87 Dashes - wanting feedback

[Captkaos]

Ok guys. I have been talking with Dashes Direct about their dashes and adding them as a vendor. I bought 10 of them and don't plan on selling them as "restoration quality" pieces, just generic replacement for $200. I am wanting feedback from your personal experience on these dashes. If you can, list what model you ordered (73-78, 79-80, 81-91) and what your thoughts were about the quality and any other opinions.

I was told that no one has complained about the dashes and that they are used on all of the top restored trucks. (I corrected him on this as NONE of the top restored trucks are using these -PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) This is the only company that I know of that sells complete aftermarket dashes (none restored). I am trying to work with them and "fix" some of the problems somehow, but I need more outside experience. I will share what mine is once I get some outside info.

[bigblock73]

Chris you know my feelings.

I purchased a 73-80 and was not happy at all. The clips did not fit, and caused the pad to "bubble" where they pushed it up. The drivers side lower portion was not sturdy enough and did not tuck tight against the metal lower dash. You can't dye them. Of course I am anal...but that is my opinion. I see NOS GM pads on Ebay all the time for around 200 bux. I would get one of those anyday over a DD pad.

[84 PUMPKIN]

I'd have to agree with bigblock73.
I purchased their 81-91 dash and was very disappointed. Sold it to a local guy instead of sending it back because the return shipping was at MY cost. Went to the local GM dealer and bought one there. It's 100% better.

The dash from DD looked like it was trimmed with a chainsaw. The edges were terrible and the VIN cutout area was especially rough. I compared the DD dash and the GM dash side by side and they seemed to be made out of different materials. The genuine GM dash looks like some sort of vinyl material with a soft backing. The DD dash looked like some sort of rubber (urethane?) material and was firm to the touch. I don't have a clue how they fit because I didn't try it after I saw how it looked.

[AspecialZ]

Originally Posted by 84 PUMPKIN

I'd have to agree with bigblock73.
I purchased their 81-91 dash and was very disappointed. Sold it to a local guy instead of sending it back because the return shipping was at MY cost. Went to the local GM dealer and bought one there. It's 100% better.

The dash from DD looked like it was trimmed with a chainsaw. The edges were terrible and the VIN cutout area was especially rough. I compared the DD dash and the GM dash side by side and they seemed to be made out of different materials. The genuine GM dash looks like some sort of vinyl material with a soft backing. The DD dash looked like some sort of rubber (urethane?) material and was firm to the touch. I don't have a clue how they fit because I didn't try it after I saw how it looked.

Same here, it just didn't have the "authinticity" that you can find in the original, I didn't have a bubble problem, but the clips were all off a 1/4 inch or so this way and that, what a pain, I chalked it up to a loss and sold it to some high school kid for his rat truck.

[Captkaos]

bump, just 3?

[Captkaos]

Still looking for feedback...

[live85]

I have a neighbor that was thinking about dealing with them but was having some trouble. Oops, what a minute, that was YOU! (bump)

Come on guys, brother Chris needs some help here. He can't make it better unless he has some real cases to present to the manufacturer.
Let's help him out. He helps us alot!
Thanks everyone.
Mike

[76sierraclassic]

I bought one for my '76 GMC and was not real happy with it. I'll echo some of the other comments above. It was very "wavy" once it was installed because the clips didn't fit exactly right. Also, the metal backing was extremely flimsy compared to the GM Originals. I received some comments from friends and family saying they couldn't tell the difference, but then again, they didn't install it or have anything to compare with.

I found an NOS one on eBay and bought it for less than I paid for the DD one from JCWhitney, so the DD one is in the GM Box my NOS one came in sitting in my garage floor looking for a home.

Mike W.

[Captkaos]

Thanks guys. And thanks for the bump Mike!

[ric]

Not too long ago I picked up an '86 C30 that had some cosmetic restoration done, including a new dash pad. Looking through the bills from the previous owner the dash was from Dashes Direct. It wasn't long before before I noticed the dash pad was raised up on both ends and didn't lay exactly flat along the windshield like it should. Then I made the mistake of removing it to see what might be the problem, something under the pad or not installed correctly. Nothing wrong the pad just didn't lay right. Like to never got it back on like it was. Since this was not very attractive I removed it again and installed a cracked stock pad and placed a Coverlay cover over it. Went right in, layed flat and looked like it just came from GM. I sold the other pad, the guy who bought it had no problem with it being "different". Recently sold the truck. The Coverlay was about $80. No idea why that pad was like that. I have used Coverlays more than once with great results and I like the price.

Good luck.

[Captkaos]

Bump for more input.