81-87 Dash Pad recommendations

[Dean]

Does anyone have recommendations on where to buy the best dash pad for my 87 K30? I bought one years ago but it was junk when I bought it and it has gotten worse over time. Thanks!!!

[bbbc10]

stay away from lmc dashes they are junk

[ChevDog1]

I am happy with the one I just got from Classic Industries. Fit well and looks nice.

[homemade87]

Gm dealership still sells them . This is the best to buy for fit. They are pricey but in my opinion it was worth it .

[sleepindawg]

Can you give us an idea of how pricey?

[84chevyguyid]

I just talked to my local Chevy dealer and he quoted me 637 dollars plus shipping for one to fit an 86. Dont know what color they are though.

[homemade87]

I got mine a few years back. I want to say it was between $400.00 and $500.00. They will all come in a grey color. You will have to paint it what color you need.

[kelsfine69]

Originally Posted by homemade87

I got mine a few years back. I want to say it was between $400.00 and $500.00. They will all come in a grey color. You will have to paint it what color you need.

Did you paint yours?

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

Did you paint yours?

I did paint it. When I did my resto I went to a local paint store and had them mix me a quart of interior paint . I did the whole interior at the time it was apart.

When you order a oem pad from Gm they do not come in colors. I think it is a light grey primer ready for paint after cleaning.

I must say I did pay around $500.00 when I got mine . I do not know what today's price is. Even if I had it to do over again , I would do it even at a greater cost with what I was wanting to achieve with my resto. This pad will last my life time and fits great . I guess everyone has to decide what there goals are and decide what direction to take. I have no regrets .

[Rich84]

If you stay away from the urethane ones from Classic Industries you'l be ok..they have 20% off sales all the time also..but be careful. When I ordered mine they sent me the urethane one instead of the vinyl one. Looks like a giant piece of over cooked lasagna.

[Ski-me]

Agree, if you can find a GM dash for around $500, I'd get it. I also paid around $500 a few years ago and it arrived in a very light grey color. Even though my interior is grey, it's too light and need to be painted with vinyl paint. I went to a local paint store and they color matched it for me and provided a spray unit too.

I've seen gm dashes on eBay going for $1000+ which is just crazy! If that's the market.....well dang! So, if you find one for $500, grab it! They appear to just keep going up in price/demand.

An alternative would be Dashes Direct. Decent reproduction.

[rball716]

Check out your local upholster. There's a guy by me who does quite a few interiors on restos and after I had him do my seat I asked if he could do my dash. Recovered it for $200. Fits like a glove since it was original. I also had him put red double stitched seams in some places for a custom touch.

[57NAPCO]

How involved is it to take off the old and replace it. All the years I've owned these trucks i have never done it.

any thoughts on this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-87-Chev...-/270984456512

[Speeding Dakota]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

How involved is it to take off the old and replace it. All the years I've owned these trucks i have never done it.

any thoughts on this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-87-Chev...-/270984456512

Its very easy to remove all you need is a phillps screw driver (unless someone has change the screws).
- First: Start by removing the screws around the gauge bezel (4 or 5) then pull it towards you to take it off.
- Second: There are 2 screes at each end of the dash pad (you must open the doors to get to them) then there are 4 screws along the bottom of the dash pad (above the ash tray / glove box).
- Third:Sitting on the center of the seat, grab the dash pad and gentle pull it towards you. As you do this it will release from the mounting tabs and become free to be removed.
Just take your time and it is a very simple process after you do it once.
Good luck....

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

How involved is it to take off the old and replace it. All the years I've owned these trucks i have never done it.

any thoughts on this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-87-Chev...-/270984456512

Be careful on these cheaper ones....be sure you know what you are getting. I've heard that if they are urethane type, they can be wavy and don't look too good.

The one you have showing from eBay is aftermarket....not GM NOS.

[natedogg]

Originally Posted by rball716

Check out your local upholster. There's a guy by me who does quite a few interiors on restos and after I had him do my seat I asked if he could do my dash. Recovered it for $200. Fits like a glove since it was original. I also had him put red double stitched seams in some places for a custom touch.

Can you show us a picture? Thanks.