Classic Industries dash pad

[RuralRoute C-30]

Have to agree with Vernski on it is not an easy process. Granted I have not given up on it but remain frustrated with parts of it that I do not think will change.

Anyway, picture time. I know the clips are installed correctly to the dash but I didn't grind anything off for a speaker as the left and right ones are out anyway. I do think I can get where it sits along the window leveled out, maybe?, but probably the real issue is the "wave" I look at sitting in the driver's seat. In the picture with it sitting on the ground next to the oem dash the "wave" is obvious and it didn't improve when installed. Nothing is going to straighten that line out that I can tell. That is plainly a twist in the form that I don't see straightening out.

Meanwhile, take a look, advice and opinions are welcome. I am tempted to replace the new clips with the old ones, but I put an old clip next to a new one and nothing is different. If nothing else, it all is coming off once again and more trimming is on the list. (I do wonder though; since it needs trimmed, agreed by all on that part who have 'been there, done it, once the buyer does trim, and there are still problems, is there any recourse to return it since the buyer has now essentially "cut" the dash to fit?) Interesting point to ponder...I have.

Neither here nor there, for now accepting I "own" this thing. Just taking a break from frustration so when I do tackle it again soon it will be with the patience of a saint and a razor sharp trimming knife.








Yet do notice how crisp the dash lines, (the area that is above the gauge cluster), with the oem dash as it sits with this one on the ground. Also when handling this one, unlike an oem dash, care must be taken as it will nearly bend in half compared to the oem which is essentially a piece of steel with no real flex.

Oh well, just another learning curve on this project. We all have 'em. Not the first time I get to learn something new...and won't be the last.

In hindsight having reviewed this post maybe I should contact Classic Industries and have them assess what we see with this particular dash. Pondering that may be the right thing to do at this point.

Mark

[dropd80s]

Originally Posted by RuralRoute C-30

In hindsight having reviewed this post maybe I should contact Classic Industries and have them assess what we see with this particular dash. Pondering that may be the right thing to do at this point.

Mark

I agree. If you are generally dissatisfied with the product, I would contact them and see what they can do. You seem to be the first, that i have seen, to post pics of how bad the pad actually fits. Most other pics, and even yours, from a distance on the passenger side looks great. The detailed pics of the problem area do seem to be unacceptable by more than some buyers, I would say most. The two questions I have are, being a molded item; I wonder if some pieces come out better than others? Also, going by the descriptions here of how flimsy they are compared to an OE pad, do the reproduction pads have the metal backing, or does the metal portion just not continue over the gauge panel? If the metal piece is in the repop pad can you not add a piece of steel of some sort under the dash along the windshield to stiffen/straighten that part at least? Just a few ideas, it’s hard to analyze without having the part in front of me.

[JAG66]

I agree X2. The waviness over the instrument cluster and the vent areas is not acceptable. I'm a fair person and we all know that repro will not fit perfect, BUT NOT acceptable......this forum will be interested to know.

BTW, the vendors I talked to about these dashes said the center clip that is left off the repro dash is meant to be left off for a reason. Do Not use the center clip, or dash will bow.

[RuralRoute C-30]

Originally Posted by JAG66

I agree X2. The waviness over the instrument cluster and the vent areas is not acceptable. I'm a fair person and we all know that repro will not fit perfect, BUT NOT acceptable......this forum will be interested to know.

BTW, the vendors I talked to about these dashes said the center clip that is left off the repro dash is meant to be left off for a reason. Do Not use the center clip, or dash will bow.

I decided to be fair to Classic Industries on this item and wrote them for an opinion. Even I can agree that in any automotive line an item in a "parts run" can get past QC and find its way to the consumer. At least in this case the item is not an entire vehicle.

So as I mentioned, to be fair, I sent a note to Classic industries requesting either a replacement of better quality or a refund in whole. Rather than take this apart once again before giving them a chance to respond it only seems to be the right thing to do at this time.

Sometimes we all get the one item that no one should have got in the first place. Maybe this is the case here. For now, I leave it in their hands and look forward to hear from them on this matter.

Personally without seeing the success of others who appear to have had some satisfaction with this item I would not have purchased mine. Such displays from others suggest to me these pads can work if the item received is without the problems I encountered straight from the box.

So with that said, I hope my current experience does not deter others at this time but merely shows what can occur when QC may have failed in catching this particular item before shipping it out. Will see what they say in response as I did notice and mention the money back guarantee on their web site.

Yet with so many sharing the good about these dash pads, this is why I went with Classic Industries. Given the right one, I hope to continue to with this choice.

Just thought I'd post an update on the direction I've taken at this time and clarifying my desire to keep it fair to the vendor too at this time. Sometimes these things happen. Will see.

Mark

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by RuralRoute C-30

I decided to be fair to Classic Industries on this item and wrote them for an opinion. Even I can agree that in any automotive line an item in a "parts run" can get past QC and find its way to the consumer. At least in this case the item is not an entire vehicle.

So as I mentioned, to be fair, I sent a note to Classic industries requesting either a replacement of better quality or a refund in whole. Rather than take this apart once again before giving them a chance to respond it only seems to be the right thing to do at this time.

Sometimes we all get the one item that no one should have got in the first place. Maybe this is the case here. For now, I leave it in their hands and look forward to hear from them on this matter.

Personally without seeing the success of others who appear to have had some satisfaction with this item I would not have purchased mine. Such displays from others suggest to me these pads can work if the item received is without the problems I encountered straight from the box.

So with that said, I hope my current experience does not deter others at this time but merely shows what can occur when QC may have failed in catching this particular item before shipping it out. Will see what they say in response as I did notice and mention the money back guarantee on their web site.

Yet with so many sharing the good about these dash pads, this is why I went with Classic Industries. Given the right one, I hope to continue to with this choice.

Just thought I'd post an update on the direction I've taken at this time and clarifying my desire to keep it fair to the vendor too at this time. Sometimes these things happen. Will see.

Mark

It looks as though you encountered a lot of problems that I did not with the classic dash pad. I think your on the right track talking to classic ind it sure doesn't look right to me either around the windows not a very good fit. I hope all goes well with them maybe you can get an adjustment from them or an other pad that one is not right...Vernski

[Reziel_1983]

Originally Posted by RuralRoute C-30

Have to agree with Vernski on it is not an easy process. Granted I have not given up on it but remain frustrated with parts of it that I do not think will change.

Anyway, picture time. I know the clips are installed correctly to the dash but I didn't grind anything off for a speaker as the left and right ones are out anyway. I do think I can get where it sits along the window leveled out, maybe?, but probably the real issue is the "wave" I look at sitting in the driver's seat. In the picture with it sitting on the ground next to the oem dash the "wave" is obvious and it didn't improve when installed. Nothing is going to straighten that line out that I can tell. That is plainly a twist in the form that I don't see straightening out.

Meanwhile, take a look, advice and opinions are welcome. I am tempted to replace the new clips with the old ones, but I put an old clip next to a new one and nothing is different. If nothing else, it all is coming off once again and more trimming is on the list. (I do wonder though; since it needs trimmed, agreed by all on that part who have 'been there, done it, once the buyer does trim, and there are still problems, is there any recourse to return it since the buyer has now essentially "cut" the dash to fit?) Interesting point to ponder...I have.

Neither here nor there, for now accepting I "own" this thing. Just taking a break from frustration so when I do tackle it again soon it will be with the patience of a saint and a razor sharp trimming knife.








Yet do notice how crisp the dash lines, (the area that is above the gauge cluster), with the oem dash as it sits with this one on the ground. Also when handling this one, unlike an oem dash, care must be taken as it will nearly bend in half compared to the oem which is essentially a piece of steel with no real flex.

Oh well, just another learning curve on this project. We all have 'em. Not the first time I get to learn something new...and won't be the last.

In hindsight having reviewed this post maybe I should contact Classic Industries and have them assess what we see with this particular dash. Pondering that may be the right thing to do at this point.

Mark

I changed all the clips on the new dash to the old one. We just pulled the ones off the new dash and J-B welded the old clips onto the new dash. It helped a little bit. Getting the dash set in was much easier with those clips.

[broey]

oh man that sucks. I hope they have a fix, maybe it just needs to get warm? Its gonna look bada$$ once it fits proper

[BigBlocksRule]

It was asked before, but I didn't see an answer. I have an '85 with a badly cracked dash, the vinyl is curled on the edges of the cracks. What can be done to get this smoothed out before I install one of your dash covers, Stitch?

[Stitch]

There are a couple of different ways to do it...you'll first need to knock the curled up edges off or down the the original level of the dash or lower...then you can fill the dash with bondo, fiberglass, expanding foam, or closed cell foam...I think the expanding foam works really good...once the expanding foam has cured, take a hacksaw blade without the handle and cut the excess off flush with the dash...

once the dash holes and cracks have been filled and leveled out, you may need to put a layer or 1/8" closed cell foam on the top and block sand it to smooth it even further...

[1425956]

Originally Posted by Stitch

There are a couple of different ways to do it...you'll first need to knock the curled up edges off or down the the original level of the dash or lower...then you can fill the dash with bondo, fiberglass, expanding foam, or closed cell foam...I think the expanding foam works really good...once the expanding foam has cured, take a hacksaw blade without the handle and cut the excess off flush with the dash...

once the dash holes and cracks have been filled and leveled out, you may need to put a layer or 1/8" closed cell foam on the top and block sand it to smooth it even further...

As soon as I get to this point, I am going to order a cover from you. It looks to be an economical way to go without sacrificing quality and appearance. I too, am awaiting your tutorial on dash repair/prep to install your cover. I have some paint and body experience, and I think this is something I could do. Other than my dash, the interior of my truck is in very good shape...The cracked dash kills it all.......

Thanks for your information and services!

[Stitch]

No problem and thanks for the compliments.
Posted via Mobile Device

[ChaseDale3and8]

Anybody try one of these that Cheyenne Pickup Parts sells? They are foam covered with vinyl. I was at a swap meet about 2 or 3 years back and a guy there had a really nice 87 short bed truck for sale. I started talking to him about it since he said it was an unrestored survivor truck from the Arizona desert. He told me that the only thing that he had to replace after he bought it was the dash pad since it had cracked over time like they all seem to do. I asked if he had replaced the original with a GM pad since it looked really nice and I couldn't tell at first that it had been replaced since it wasn't wavy or seem to have the problems normally associated with aftermarket pads.

He told me no, that it wasn't a GM piece, and that he had bought one of these from Cheyenne, and was very pleased with it. He told me that if I looked close at the speaker openings I would note that they were a diamond shape instead of square as original. Other than that, it looked factory. The truck was red, and the dash pad was in the original carmine color. I, like most everyone here, am willing to pay a little bit more for a better quality piece, and since these come in factory colors as well, I was just wondering if anybody here has bought and installed one of them yet? ....Joe

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000215a

[TheApocalyptican]

Originally Posted by ChaseDale3and8

Anybody try one of these that Cheyenne Pickup Parts sells? They are foam covered with vinyl. I was at a swap meet about 2 or 3 years back and a guy there had a really nice 87 short bed truck for sale. I started talking to him about it since he said it was an unrestored survivor truck from the Arizona desert. He told me that the only thing that he had to replace after he bought it was the dash pad since it had cracked over time like they all seem to do. I asked if he had replaced the original with a GM pad since it looked really nice and I couldn't tell at first that it had been replaced since it wasn't wavy or seem to have the problems normally associated with aftermarket pads.

He told me no, that it wasn't a GM piece, and that he had bought one of these from Cheyenne, and was very pleased with it. He told me that if I looked close at the speaker openings I would note that they were a diamond shape instead of square as original. Other than that, it looked factory. The truck was red, and the dash pad was in the original carmine color. I, like most everyone here, am willing to pay a little bit more for a better quality piece, and since these come in factory colors as well, I was just wondering if anybody here has bought and installed one of them yet? ....Joe

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000215a

Just ordered one from cheyenne. Will post back with quality when I get it.

[TheApocalyptican]

Either Cheyenne does a poor job of keeping stock, or they had a bunch of people buy dash pads recently, as they are backordered for like 2-3 weeks til they make more. Will post back then!

[TheApocalyptican]

Just got my dash from Cheyenne Pickup Parts. It is NOT a vinyl over foam over metal dash. It is a vinyl over foam over plastic dash. While it is not as rigid as a stock metal dash, it isn't very flimsy. I took it out of the box as soon as UPS dropped it off, and due to having it riding in the UPS truck all day, I figure at worst it'll be as flimsy as when I first unboxed it, but never really worse. Definitely isn't a wet noodle like the urethane ones. I put it upside down on a recliner here in my house, and there way no sag to it.

Hasn't been installed just yet, but everything looks great. Really like how the gauge bezel fits into it without a gap like I have seen on some of the other aftermarket pads. We'll see if it stays gapless once installed tho.


Pics of the plastic underside:





This is the only thing I am not completely happy with fit wise:



I'll have more pics when installed. Lemme know if guys want any other specific pics of it.

[Telecasterjoey]

Apocalyptician have you installed the dash? I'm thinking about getting this dash depending on how it fits in your truck lol are you satisfied with it?

[TheApocalyptican]

Originally Posted by Telecasterjoey

Apocalyptician have you installed the dash? I'm thinking about getting this dash depending on how it fits in your truck lol are you satisfied with it?

Satisfied? Yes. Completely happy? No. From what I have seen of other reproduction dashes, this does seem to be the best. It is however not quite oem, and therefore not show quality.

Problems: Due to the plastic rather than metal, the dash seems to bulge slightly where the dash speakers are. The area around the passenger defrost vent isn't the same height all the way around. Most of it is correct, except for one area in the very front near the windshield is lower. The picture I posted before of how the a/c duct/trim fits is also a problem area. Speaker holes are a little rough. And last is a small area between the bezel, and the dash pad right next to the stereo and a/c controls.

Honestly, none of these problems are a deal breaker for me. I was also being extremely picky about the problem areas so that others no exactly what quality and fit they are getting with this pad.


Spot near stereo:


Speaker Holes:



Spots where dash bulges due to speakers:





Passenger Defrost Vent(not sure how well the problem can be seen in the pic):



Other pics:








Also, the two gauge bezel holes aren't drilled. Neither are the holes across the bottom where it bolts in, or the screw that goes into the passenger side of the dash. I left the passenger one out, and just screwed the others straight thru the parts of the dash where they belong.

[kris's66lwb]

Those look nice but they dont have my color i need a saddle color or tan the closest is buckskin

[TexasDmax]

Originally Posted by kris's66lwb

Those look nice but they dont have my color i need a saddle color or tan the closest is buckskin

As far as I know Buckskin is tan. Saddle is the orangeish- brown color

[motornut]

Originally Posted by TexasDmax

As far as I know Buckskin is tan. Saddle is the orangeish- brown color

what colour is this?

[kris's66lwb]

ok there pic of the buck is brown i know buck skin gloves is tan

[kp110477]

What a dizzying array of opinions on dash pads! What have I gotten myself into? My Suburban (89) is one of those aforementioned 'Arizona Survivors' for the most part. What most of you are describing as cracked and beat up probably doesn't hold a candle to the powdery, crumbly, cracked, dried up mess that adorns my dash currently.

My question: What is the top of the line dash pad? How do you get an OEM dash pad? If you were to rank them (based on personal experience or research) how would you rank the dash pads?

Thanks

[Stoney]

So who sells the best dash?

[MalibuSSwagon]

Originally Posted by Stoney

So who sells the best dash?

From everything that I have read, GM sells the best dash pad. Built exactly like the original, but available in only one color: black. Also it runs about $500, but I guess that is the price of OEM quality.

I'll just stick with my dyed and only slightly cracked OEM dash pad for now.

[JAG66]

I'll tell you from experience, not what I've read on a forum.
The best fitting dash is GM. Period. It cost more at around $400-$500. Just bought one, was light gray, dyed it burgandy, installed new vents, fit is as good as can be expected. Very satisfied.
I've installed several coverlays. They are an excellent fit. I like to install mine with the dash out so I can apply clamps to it while the adhesive sets up. They snap on for a perfect fit, BUT when they get hot, always bows at the passenger side defrost vent.