Pics of dash w/o pad please

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Divenut

Divenut

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Hi,

The kids and I have a dilema. The dash pad on our 72 Duster has a couple cracks. We are not "restoring" the car, just want a fun cruiser that will see some 1/4 mile action. So being on a tight budget we are contemplating the following:

1. Repair original pad. (pic below)
2. Going with a dash pad cover/cap. (least appealling of the 3 choices)
3. Removing pad and painting the steel dash frame.

Option #1 -Any products on the market (proven to be good by FABO members) that we can do ourselves to make a reseonably decent repair?

I found a couple pics of the 3rd option in other threads and am hoping FABO members may be able to share a few more pictures of their painted dashes. I understand some filling/smoothing will be required. Any tips, words of caution, etc for option #3 are appreciated.

Thanks as always,

Pat & Kids

IMG_4483.jpg


IMG_4075.jpg


IMG_4466.jpg
 
A lot of time to fill to holes and realistically requires removal of the dash assembly windshield r&r and probably new windshield gasket. I think the best option even for a budget minded restification would be to find a decent used pad and dye it the required color if needed. You can probably find one around 100 scour Craigslist for someone parting a duster, dart, valiant etc all the same mounting or would work
 
this is a dash cap , turned out sweet
less than 100 bucks
 

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Hey Pat,
I have the pad off my 73 Swinger right now, and there are some pretty darn big cutouts under it.
Probably 6 of them or so about 3 inches tall by 6 or 8 inches long.
I also have most of the foam and stuff off of the pad frame because I was thinking to recover mine.
The metal frame of the pad is shaped WAY different than the outside of the pad is, so it will take a lot of building up of the foam to get it even somewhat close to the original shape.

I can get a pic or two of the pad off the dash, and of the pad frame if you want.
It'll be a bit later today though before I can do it.

Ok, five holes. :)
 
Rocky_JS said:
A lot of time to fill to holes and realistically requires removal of the dash assembly windshield r&r and probably new windshield gasket. I think the best option even for a budget minded restification would be to find a decent used pad and dye it the required color if needed. You can probably find one around 100 scour Craigslist for someone parting a duster, dart, valiant etc all the same mounting or would work
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input Rocky. Filling the holes is not a big concern for us, but my windshield is new, so if pulling the dash to fill and paint it is required, not sure I'd want to do that.


73AbodEE said:
this is a dash cap , turned out sweet
less than 100 bucks
Click to expand...

Damn Lance, that IS sweet. Where did you source that pad from? brand?

Thanks again fellas....
Pat

Anyone else have ideas/experiences to share? We'd love to see them.
 
TrailBeast said:
Hey Pat,
I have the pad off my 73 Swinger right now, and there are some pretty darn big cutouts under it.
Probably 6 of them or so about 3 inches tall by 6 or 8 inches long.
I also have most of the foam and stuff off of the pad frame because I was thinking to recover mine.
The metal frame of the pad is shaped WAY different than the outside of the pad is, so it will take a lot of building up of the foam to get it even somewhat close to the original shape.

I can get a pic or two of the pad off the dash, and of the pad frame if you want.
It'll be a bit later today though before I can do it.

Ok, five holes. :)
Click to expand...

LOL...just 5 little holes right? :angel7: Thanks Beast, any pics would be appreciated if/when you get around to it.

Pat
 
Divenut said:
Thanks for the input Rocky. Filling the holes is not a big concern for us, but my windshield is new, so if pulling the dash to fill and paint it is required, not sure I'd want to do that.




Damn Lance, that IS sweet. Where did you source that pad from? brand?

Thanks again fellas....
Pat

Anyone else have ideas/experiences to share? We'd love to see them.
Click to expand...

http://www.dashcaps.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17009&cat=280&page=1


budget build is the name of the game for me and that cap was the hot ticket. its not soft like the original , but it sure looks good. it been on for a couple months and my car sits in the sun everyday and it has held up perfectly.
 
Divenut said:
Thanks for the link man. Can it be installed w/o removing the dash pad, or do you need to pull that sucker out?

Pat
Click to expand...
they give you some industrial adhesive. mine snapped into place after i applied the glue, then i used rubber bands and tape to hold it down for 24 hours. but my original pad was really bad. yours looks pretty decent. you could always test fit it first and see if you would even need to hold the edges down while the glue dried. i had to take mine out , it was trashed
 
You can put the cover on with it still on the dash frame. I put a cap on my 70 Dart and it looked good. It is by far the best and cheapest thing you can do to it. Good Luck! Ronnie
 
I ditched my dash pad and filled holes in the steel frame on my Dart, see this thread:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=101115

It does require removing the dash from the car for best results, welding and grinding near glass will mess it up. You can pull the dash without removing the windsheild, you'll have to cut off the 5 screws that hold the dash in from the bottom. To reinstall the dash the screws will have to go in from the bottom.
Putting a cap over the original pad is the easier way to go.
 
okiemopar said:
You can put the cover on with it still on the dash frame. I put a cap on my 70 Dart and it looked good. It is by far the best and cheapest thing you can do to it. Good Luck! Ronnie
Click to expand...

Thanks Ronnie. Much appreciated.

daliant said:
I ditched my dash pad and filled holes in the steel frame on my Dart, see this thread:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=101115

It does require removing the dash from the car for best results, welding and grinding near glass will mess it up. You can pull the dash without removing the windsheild, you'll have to cut off the 5 screws that hold the dash in from the bottom. To reinstall the dash the screws will have to go in from the bottom.
Putting a cap over the original pad is the easier way to go.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the details daliant...your dash looks great.

74DartSwinger360 said:
I have a dash cap on mine
Click to expand...

Looks nice DartSwinger...thanks.

the67fish said:
I just filled all those holes in and painted mine.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/attachment.php?attachmentid=1714579772&stc=1&d=1357434178
Click to expand...

Sweet looking interior 67fish. I like the dash treatment you did.



I really appreciate everyone taking time to share all the pics and information with me today. Many Thanks to you all!

Based on the real world experiences you all shared with us, the girls and I will opt for the cap treatment. I had know idea they looked/fit as nice as the ones you shared with me. FABO Rocks:headbang:


Thanks again everyone, and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Pat and "Da Girls"
 
I've got a cap for my 70 Dart and have test fit but not permanently installed it yet. It snaps right on and looks great.
 
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