Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Accelo** · 08-29-2021, 05:52 PM

I waited for three months for my American Made dash pad. It purchased it from Al-knock Interiors. Their was issues getting foam from the Texas Chemical industry it why it took so long. The dash pad showed up Friday. Color is Parchment and it's a nice match. I also had to clean the foam from the studs. It was a PITA for sure.
However, now I find out the screws do not match up with the holes in the dash. Basically my choice is to file the holes, into a slot shape, so I can get the pad installed. I will need to do two or three holes. I wanted it to fit as shipped and will call them on Monday. My question is what would you do? Modify the holes or return the part? What kind of luck are others having getting theirs to fit?
Thanks
Rick

**Jcfcamaro** · 08-29-2021, 07:19 PM

Well I'm pretty far from needing a dash pad but wanted to make sure I didn't run into your exact problem so I ordered one before I start painting my interior. Bought it from Wes at Classic Heartbeat pickup parts. It fit like a glove and very good quality. The box says Dashes Direct on it . That's why I like Wes at Classic Heartbeat he has been around these trucks a long time and only sells the best brands of parts.

**Accelo** · 08-29-2021, 11:17 PM

They are not that far from me. I could drive there in an hour and fifteen.
I'll call them in the morning. Not sure if the dash pad I waited for is returnable. May be a custom order.
Should be such a simple job! LOL

sick472 · 08-30-2021, 08:22 AM

I bought my dash pad from GMC Pauls. It was the full urethane one and had to slot 2 or 3 holes to get it to mount. IIRC, those holes just needed opened up by about 1/8". I used a pneumatic die grinder and a 1/8" bit and wallow'd away.

A tip on the urethane ones...watch the top of the pad while tightening the speed nuts. The top will pucker down where the studs are if you tighten them too much.

**HO455** · 08-30-2021, 08:31 AM

Unfortunately that is a fairly common problem. If you do a search you will find others who have had the same problem. I believe it is a tolerance stacking issue and your just on the wrong end of the bell curve. Its where I usually am.

As far as I know slotting the holes or returning the pad are the options. Even getting a new pad may not guarantee a perfect fit.

**LockDoc** · 08-30-2021, 09:50 AM

-
Personally I would just slot it and get it done. Otherwise it may drag on for another month.....

LockDoc

**Accelo** · 08-30-2021, 04:48 PM

Loc Doc
I believe that's good advice. I did go and look at the 1967-1972 GMC/Chevy Urethane Dash Pad from dashesdirect.com. The didn't have the parchment color that I prefer as a color option.
So I am off to notch the holes.
I very much appreciated everyone's input.
Rick

**Ironangel** · 08-31-2021, 11:42 AM

Had to slot the center holes on both my 72's. Do not over tighten the nuts or you'll warp the pad...

08-29-2021, 05:52 PM	#1
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,301	Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. I waited for three months for my American Made dash pad. It purchased it from Al-knock Interiors. Their was issues getting foam from the Texas Chemical industry it why it took so long. The dash pad showed up Friday. Color is Parchment and it's a nice match. I also had to clean the foam from the studs. It was a PITA for sure. However, now I find out the screws do not match up with the holes in the dash. Basically my choice is to file the holes, into a slot shape, so I can get the pad installed. I will need to do two or three holes. I wanted it to fit as shipped and will call them on Monday. My question is what would you do? Modify the holes or return the part? What kind of luck are others having getting theirs to fit? Thanks Rick

08-29-2021, 07:19 PM	#2
Jcfcamaro Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Fairfax, Missouri Posts: 1,049	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. Well I'm pretty far from needing a dash pad but wanted to make sure I didn't run into your exact problem so I ordered one before I start painting my interior. Bought it from Wes at Classic Heartbeat pickup parts. It fit like a glove and very good quality. The box says Dashes Direct on it . That's why I like Wes at Classic Heartbeat he has been around these trucks a long time and only sells the best brands of parts.

08-29-2021, 11:17 PM	#3
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,301	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. They are not that far from me. I could drive there in an hour and fifteen. I'll call them in the morning. Not sure if the dash pad I waited for is returnable. May be a custom order. Should be such a simple job! LOL Last edited by Accelo; 08-30-2021 at 01:16 AM.

08-30-2021, 08:22 AM	#4
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,131	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. I bought my dash pad from GMC Pauls. It was the full urethane one and had to slot 2 or 3 holes to get it to mount. IIRC, those holes just needed opened up by about 1/8". I used a pneumatic die grinder and a 1/8" bit and wallow'd away. A tip on the urethane ones...watch the top of the pad while tightening the speed nuts. The top will pucker down where the studs are if you tighten them too much. __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

08-30-2021, 08:31 AM	#5
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,393	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. Unfortunately that is a fairly common problem. If you do a search you will find others who have had the same problem. I believe it is a tolerance stacking issue and your just on the wrong end of the bell curve. Its where I usually am. As far as I know slotting the holes or returning the pad are the options. Even getting a new pad may not guarantee a perfect fit. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

08-30-2021, 09:50 AM	#6
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,818	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. - Personally I would just slot it and get it done. Otherwise it may drag on for another month..... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

08-30-2021, 04:48 PM	#7
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,301	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. Loc Doc I believe that's good advice. I did go and look at the 1967-1972 GMC/Chevy Urethane Dash Pad from dashesdirect.com. The didn't have the parchment color that I prefer as a color option. So I am off to notch the holes. I very much appreciated everyone's input. Rick Attached Images

08-31-2021, 11:42 AM	#8
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: Dash pad retainnig bolts do not line up. Had to slot the center holes on both my 72's. Do not over tighten the nuts or you'll warp the pad... __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"



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