New Dash Pad Installation - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

harrydunn · 03-13-2014, 10:31 AM

Got the old one off. It wasn't too bad. It was brittle so I ripped all of the padding off first, used tin snips to cut the metal strip around each threaded post and then just pulled up on them with enough tension to spin the nut free. Much easier than trying to get a tool up in there. The new one as you can see will need to be painted. Using SEM flexible medium parchment. Seems to be the best match I can find. We shall see. Fun little project so far. The interior is just about complete and ready for show season (it's only been to one car show in 42 years!) with the new steering wheel and dash pad. I need to get a new rubber floor cover and I'm good to go. I'll post some more photos of my progress over the new few days as I get it painted and installed.

Andy4639 · 03-13-2014, 04:09 PM

Looking good!

**Ironangel** · 03-13-2014, 08:38 PM

1/4" drive flex extension on a thin wall, medium deep well socket in 5/16 or 3/8 (Cant remember wich size) socket will make installing that new pad quite a bit easier...Dash pads are among the top five PITA parts to R&R..."Seven screws with seven different obstructions!"

**leddzepp** · 03-13-2014, 08:55 PM

Do NOT over tighten the attaching nuts or you will end up with a warped and wavey dash pad. Finger tight only.

magwakeenercew2jh · 03-13-2014, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Do NOT over tighten the attaching nuts or you will end up with a warped and wavey dash pad. Finger tight only.

REALLY good advice. I tightened mine too tight and then figured out the "error of my ways" later. I can't get the waves out of the pad. It's just enough that *I* notice it. Which makes it bad (pad?) enough.

SS Tim · 03-14-2014, 12:27 AM

Are you actually planning on a white dash pad?

texjake · 03-14-2014, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Do NOT over tighten the attaching nuts or you will end up with a warped and wavey dash pad. Finger tight only.

Good thing I found this out before installing my new dash. Finger tighten only huh? Wouldn't maybe some blue Loctite be advisable to keep the nuts from vibrating and backing off since its a pain in the arse to get to those nuts? Or even maybe some nylon nuts? I've got some of that new blue Loctite QuickStix to try & I think that's where I'm going to use it on the threads of the bolts on the dash pad.

harrydunn · 03-14-2014, 09:43 AM

Got it all done. The SEM product did not quite match so I ended up spraying with some custom-mixed vinyl paint from a few months ago. Matches great and the install was not too bad. I'm 6'-5" with large hands so I'm pretty scraped up this morning from working under the dash. Very pleased with the results.

Some photos:

Ready for the new one.

Literally ripped the old pad out and was able to bust the hard-to-get-to nuts loose too.

Adhesion Promoter is a must. You can see I chose the wrong color of the SEM product. My fault, no their's.

Safety first, kids! I was spraying in the concrete "bunker" under our garage. Zero ventilation.

Out-of-the-box color was a dark brown but as close as I could find to start with.

Final result. Couldn't be happier.

Stickman · 03-14-2014, 10:17 AM

Looks Good

**Ol Blue K20** · 03-14-2014, 12:33 PM

Looks very nice

03-13-2014, 10:31 AM	#1
harrydunn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 256	New Dash Pad Installation Got the old one off. It wasn't too bad. It was brittle so I ripped all of the padding off first, used tin snips to cut the metal strip around each threaded post and then just pulled up on them with enough tension to spin the nut free. Much easier than trying to get a tool up in there. The new one as you can see will need to be painted. Using SEM flexible medium parchment. Seems to be the best match I can find. We shall see. Fun little project so far. The interior is just about complete and ready for show season (it's only been to one car show in 42 years!) with the new steering wheel and dash pad. I need to get a new rubber floor cover and I'm good to go. I'll post some more photos of my progress over the new few days as I get it painted and installed. __________________ 1972 GMC 2500 Custom, 96K miles, Purchased New By My Grandparents 2016 Toyota Tundra TRD Off-Road SR5 1993/2003/2005 Toyota Land Cruisers 2004 Corvette Z06 / 2000 Covette Coupe 2006 Ducati Multistrada 2014 BMW X3 XDrive35i M Sport

03-13-2014, 04:09 PM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: New Dash Pad Installation Looking good! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-13-2014, 08:38 PM	#3
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: New Dash Pad Installation 1/4" drive flex extension on a thin wall, medium deep well socket in 5/16 or 3/8 (Cant remember wich size) socket will make installing that new pad quite a bit easier...Dash pads are among the top five PITA parts to R&R..."Seven screws with seven different obstructions!" __________________ 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"

03-13-2014, 08:55 PM	#4
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: New Dash Pad Installation Do NOT over tighten the attaching nuts or you will end up with a warped and wavey dash pad. Finger tight only. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

03-14-2014, 12:27 AM	#6
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: New Dash Pad Installation Are you actually planning on a white dash pad? __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

03-14-2014, 09:43 AM	#8
harrydunn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 256	Re: New Dash Pad Installation Got it all done. The SEM product did not quite match so I ended up spraying with some custom-mixed vinyl paint from a few months ago. Matches great and the install was not too bad. I'm 6'-5" with large hands so I'm pretty scraped up this morning from working under the dash. Very pleased with the results. Some photos: Ready for the new one. Literally ripped the old pad out and was able to bust the hard-to-get-to nuts loose too. Adhesion Promoter is a must. You can see I chose the wrong color of the SEM product. My fault, no their's. Safety first, kids! I was spraying in the concrete "bunker" under our garage. Zero ventilation. Out-of-the-box color was a dark brown but as close as I could find to start with. Final result. Couldn't be happier. __________________ 1972 GMC 2500 Custom, 96K miles, Purchased New By My Grandparents 2016 Toyota Tundra TRD Off-Road SR5 1993/2003/2005 Toyota Land Cruisers 2004 Corvette Z06 / 2000 Covette Coupe 2006 Ducati Multistrada 2014 BMW X3 XDrive35i M Sport

03-14-2014, 10:17 AM	#9
Stickman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chandler,AZ Posts: 576	Re: New Dash Pad Installation Looks Good

03-14-2014, 12:33 PM	#10
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,245	Re: New Dash Pad Installation Looks very nice __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul



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