Dash Alignment

[maxtwms]

Hey Guys - I may be poor at search function but I cant be the only person to experience this. The top/left side of my dash and instrument gauge bezel have large gaps in them. This is the case on my K10 and K5. Pretty sure the dash is new on the K10 and original on the k5. Does anyone have any tips to get these to fit nicely? Every squarebody Ive worked on has had issues with the screws in this left side location. I know they're not going to be perfect but there has to be some improvement...Any help is appreciated. Ill try to get pictures today

 

[maxtwms]

Doesn't look that bad in the picture but I'm sure some of you can relate.. maybe I need some nut clips on the padded part of the dash for the screws to grab onto? There's certainly something missing.

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[Jeff Lewis]

Aftermarket. Thats the best you can do. Doesn't fit exactly. Don't worry....Be Happy.

 

[Raider L]

@maxtwms,

I don't know, man. It seems that with the padding like it is from the factory, after many years sitting in the sun, I think you should expect some shrinkage. Mine isn't exactly tight.

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The inside curvature of the dash where the panel of the gauge cluster just sits up against a kind of a flange with the nut plates on it. Mine just screws up against that flat lip the dash has surrounding the opening for the cluster panel. It looks kinda dark in the photo but it's sitting up against that lip.

 

[86 SCOTTSDALE]

I found a slightly longer screw worked better in that position.

 

[Jwernatl]

Doesn't look that bad in the picture but I'm sure some of you can relate.. maybe I need some nut clips on the padded part of the dash for the screws to grab onto? There's certainly something missing.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Mine was same - my aftermarket I ordered was not the best - I hate it. I used the right screws and clips.

It's just not the same. Nobody knows it except me.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Doesn't look that bad in the picture but I'm sure some of you can relate.. maybe I need some nut clips on the padded part of the dash for the screws to grab onto? There's certainly something missing.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I have 4 Squarebodys, all of them original dashes and gauges bezels, non of them fit right. They all look like yours or worse.
I think it's a case of they never fit quite right, but after 30 to 40 years in the sun, the vinyl just shrinks a bit, and makes it worse.
If it's old, and the vinyl is hard, you could take a dremel and grind away some of the material at the corner of the dash and smooth it down, so that the bezel sits a little deeps and straighter, or you could file down the edge of the bezel to make it a little smaller. Not enough to notice. And you could try a longer screw, but dont torque it down too hard, you'll strip out the plastic hole it goes into. I've made that mistake.

 

[Rudy Mienert]

Mine was same - my aftermarket I ordered was not the best - I hate it. I used the right screws and clips.

It's just not the same. Nobody knows it except me.

Which aftermarket did you get?...Im searching for a nice pad, and don't want to be disappointed.

 

[86c10twotone]

Trying to install a new pad today from LMC and the clip area to the right side of the right defrost vent is to high causing the dash to sit up high in that area .

 

[TPISly-C10]

the most important is to aling the 2 top long center scew, after that check fit with a another long screw on top left and secure backing speed clip that the best i can do with mine to fit ok ish

 

[86c10twotone]

How much did you have to trim across the front where it hits the windshield rubber? Does it sit under the crown of the rubber or just but up to it ?

 

[Rutzie]

Trying to install a new pad today from LMC and the clip area to the right side of the right defrost vent is to high causing the dash to sit up high in that area .

I just installed a LMC one today myself. Exact same problem.... Fought with it all afternoon, thought I maybe had a clip out of place, but not the case! Looks really wavy against the windshield gasket. Did you figure out a fix for it?

 

[shiftpro]

Aftermarket. Thats the best you can do. Doesn't fit exactly. Don't worry....Be Happy.

Factory. Thats the best they can do. Doesn't fit exactly. Don't worry....Be Happy.

 

[waterpirate]

Same here. I installed the lmc pad and the right corner looks like $hit. Longer screws for the instrument panel helped a lot, but not perfect.
Eric