Best Quality Dash Pad and Emblems

[Desert_Eagle02]

Hey guys, like most of the old original trucks my current dash pad has seen better days. Its dry and cracked, and I'm changing the interior color to black so its time for it to go. What source makes the best quality dash pad. LMC, Brothers Trucks, Classic Industries somewhere else? I know they are quite pricey, so the cheaper ones concern me. I'm going to install it as soon as I get it, but eventually I'm going to do a frame off restoration on this truck, so I want to buy the best quality parts so they will still be good when I do so. Also I was wondering if anywhere sells replacement emblems for GMC. I can't seem to find any. Thanks

[haupde1]

I was wondering the same thing for the dash pads. I know for emblems I check out craigslist, ebay and wrecking yards. Pretty hit or miss for the more unusual option packages, but if you check often enough you can get lucky.

[gmachinz]

cheyennepickup has really nice oem style reproduction pads which differ from all others-he is a vendor here as well!

[mongocanfly]

I used a coverlay dash pad cover over my 81 dash..it looks great and most people don't know the difference

[calvin78612]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

cheyennepickup has really nice oem style reproduction pads which differ from all others-he is a vendor here as well!

I just bought one from him this past weekend at the red river rumble. Ouality product for sure, I will be picking up another on soon.

[Desert_Eagle02]

Thanks guys, I will check out Cheyennepickup for sure. As for the emblems, late '70s GMCs are pretty scarce at junkyards and Craigslist around here. I'll keep looking though.

[LukeC10]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

cheyennepickup has really nice oem style reproduction pads which differ from all others-he is a vendor here as well!

How are the cheyenne ones compared to the dashes direct?

[calvin78612]

Cheyenne ones are 325

[Tx Firefighter]

I held the Cheyenne dash pads in my hands at the Red River Rumble and talked with the guy who makes them for a while. I don't believe you will find a better option anywhere. They are made right there in Oklahoma.

[bbbc10]

Stay away from lmc they are trash

[Desert_Eagle02]

Glad to hear Cheyenne is quality. I will probably be getting one this week. Can't wait to see it installed! It will be the first part switching the interior to black.

[Crcrft78]

I've got a crew cab that needs a new dash pad, can someone post up picks of their dash pad from CheyennePickup.

[Tx Firefighter]

http://www.cheyennepickup.com/

[LukeC10]

What do you guys think about the USA1 dash pad compared to Cheyenne? USA1 description says "This reproduction dash pad is built like the original GM. It has a metal structure which is covered in foam and then wrapped in vinyl. All dash pads are produced in black vinyl and then dyed in house here at USA1 Industries to the factory colors." its over $300 so price is similar to Cheyenne, but this one is metal structure - cheyenne has a plastic structure

Also, does dashes direct make a metal structure Vinyl dash? The ones I thought were vinyl on metal are actually urethane with a metal structure, but not sure if they have another model thats similar to the Cheyenne/USA1

[Tx Firefighter]

The maker of the Cheyenee dash pads told me that they used plastic for a reason. That it allows the material to flow and move better to keep it from cracking. And they are not dyed to get the colors.

[tucsonjwt]

When it is 115 degrees in the desert heat, it is 150 degrees+ inside your vehicle. I had a urethane cap on my 83 and it cracked in about 3 weeks, so I am leery of anything the seems like plastic.

[Desert_Eagle02]

I've never had any of my original dash pads off. Are the originals metal structure? Maybe they use plastic because it's more forgiving in the heat and won't crack the vinyl like the the original ones?

[tucsonjwt]

The original OEM dash pads are thin metal with lots of holes in the metal. A thin spray foam covers the metal, then the vinyl goes over the top. I got a spare dash pad from the junkyard and have plans to experiment with stripping and/or recovering it. I think any "plastic" "urethane" or other such material will not hold up in extreme heat (like I mentioned above, extreme HotZona heat is like an oven, and there is no room for expansion when everything is screwed down and butting up against the windshield and A pillars.)

I will probably SEM paint the front edges of my pad and cover it with the best quality dash mat I can find. I have seen one for about $60 that looks seems to have a good contour fit to the pad.

[calvin78612]

Phone pics

[LukeC10]

This is a really good thread on page 1 has info on the Dashes Direct Vinyl one sold by Classic and then on the link the Cheyenne one, just lots of good input from guys.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...peakers&page=5

[LukeC10]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

The maker of the Cheyenee dash pads told me that they used plastic for a reason. That it allows the material to flow and move better to keep it from cracking. And they are not dyed to get the colors.

The metal aftermarket pads dont have as thick a metal as stock anyway and flex a LOT in videos, probably more flex than the plastic Cheyenne one. Guys should look at other factors in deciding like fit and finish.

[Tervill]

I ordered my new dash from Summit Racing (OER Reproduction brand). The fit was perfect. Just had to use the clips from my old dash.

[Desert_Eagle02]

Originally Posted by LukeC10

This is a really good thread on page 1 has info on the Dashes Direct Vinyl one sold by Classic and then on the link the Cheyenne one, just lots of good input from guys.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...peakers&page=5

Good read. There are quite a few choices of varying quality it seems. I wish I could see one of each in person and choose the one I like the best lol. Have you decided on one yet? I'm kinda torn on the Cheyenne ones, or getting one with a metal structure.

[LukeC10]

Originally Posted by Desert_Eagle02

Good read. There are quite a few choices of varying quality it seems. I wish I could see one of each in person and choose the one I like the best lol. Have you decided on one yet? I'm kinda torn on the Cheyenne ones, or getting one with a metal structure.

Yeah was in the same boat as you, really would be nice to see them all in person for sure. Just ordered the Dashes Direct Vinyl over Foam pad from Classic which they label as OER I believe; was really a coin flip between that or Cheyenne, still not sure which one is "better," but just decided to go with the bigger name is all. Most of the worst threads/reviews seem to be on the Urethane pads, so either vinyl over foam one should at least be pretty decent hopefully.

I also emailed USA1 about their Vinyl over foam dash pad with metal structure - they told me its also a Dashes Direct, which should be the same as Classic. USA1 and Cheyenne both have youtube videos of their pads, so you can kind of see the differences there too.

Good luck, hard decision for this kind of money for sure.

[LukeC10]

Originally Posted by calvin78612

Phone pics

Calvin, nice looking dash pad for sure - did all of the trim and bezels fit flush in it, no issues?