Looking for a new dash

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

razz2o4

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2017
Posts
9
Reaction score
5
Location
New bern nc
First Name
josh
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C10 Custom
Engine Size
350
I am looking to pick up a new dash for my 86. I looked at the one with classic industries, but looking at the reviews it was pretty dismal. Anyone have suggestions on a good dash?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 

1987 GMC Jimmy

Automobile Hoarder
Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Posts
5,848
Reaction score
2,389
Location
Mississippi
First Name
Jesse
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500 Jimmy
Engine Size
350
For me, I'd like to try the molded plastic cover because I've had a good experience with one that I bought for my car. Granted, the square body one is more complicated. Someone mentioned on here once that one of the online outlets was selling NOS covers at one point. I want to say it was Classic Parts and not Industries. Anyways, the most sensible option having to do with the dash itself is to recover the original one if you can. That one is made to fit and always will fit well, and apparently that's a challenge that the Chinese reproducers have yet to meet.
 

RecklessWOT

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Posts
2,556
Reaction score
4,764
Location
New Hampshire
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10 Suburban Silverado
Engine Size
350 TBI
Years and years ago I bought one for my 84 Blazer from JC Whitney. I don't remember it being too bad, then again I was probably 18 so I didn't pay much attention besides the fact that it wasn't cracked with which I was plenty happy.

Honestly I'm probably gonna do the same on my 87 'burb when I get around to it. The truck is in great shape though it's not show quality so even if it's not 100% perfect I'll be happy. I think a lot of the negative reviews are from guys who want to nut and bolt restore the truck to showroom quality in which case a cheap pad won't be good enough. But even one that isn't the highest quality is still a hell of a lot better than a ****** old cracked up one spewing foam everywhere. Unless the rest of the interior is brand new, even a cheap one should look good inside a truck that just has a good quality original interior with minimal wear IMO.
 
Last edited:

foamypirate

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
3,302
Reaction score
456
Location
Central TX
First Name
Jake (Mr. Wilson)
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
El Camino, baby!
Engine Size
5.3L/4L60E
How do theirs compare to the others?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Everyone I've talked to who has used one has been quite happy with it. In my opinion, it's the best repro out there.
 

75Monza

Full Access Member
Joined
May 5, 2017
Posts
1,362
Reaction score
2,843
Location
Colville, Washington
First Name
Jeremy
Truck Year
1980, 1982, 1985
Truck Model
K30, K20, K20
Engine Size
454, 383, 350
I did one of the skins on my 86 burb, turned out better than I expected, looked good, just the minute you touch it you realize it's not original because it's hard plastic. I had Just Dashes redo a pad for one of my 75 Monza's, turned out awesome! Wasn't exactly cheap, but can't buy even aftermarket for that car, so not really any choices.
http://www.justdashes.com/
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,333
Reaction score
512
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
Most of the ones I have read about either cost as much as a custom leather dash pad or are not very good replacements and that led me to the conclusion that if I was going to have to spend 300+ dollars on a good dash pad then I know an upholsterer in Dallas that can take my old dash and turn it into a leather covered work of art, complete with stitching color of my choice (will probably go black on white or grey). I got a quote from him and around 350 will get it done and here is an idea of the quality of his dash work.

You must be registered for see images


You must be registered for see images
 

74 Shortbed

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Posts
6,306
Reaction score
1,413
Location
*
First Name
*
Truck Year
*
Truck Model
*
Engine Size
*
Those are badass..
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,333
Reaction score
512
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
I think I am going to have him do my door covers as well. They are grey right now and considering the cost to recover them black vs replacing them... I'd maybe try to paint them but I've been down that road before and after a little time they started flaking black paint so I figure with vinyl/leather their will be nothing to flake.
 

OkieFishMan

Certified Camping and Fishing Nut
Joined
May 8, 2017
Posts
371
Reaction score
203
Location
Enid, OK
First Name
OkieFishMan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
GMC C2500
Engine Size
454/SM465
Most of the ones I have read about either cost as much as a custom leather dash pad or are not very good replacements and that led me to the conclusion that if I was going to have to spend 300+ dollars on a good dash pad then I know an upholsterer in Dallas that can take my old dash and turn it into a leather covered work of art, complete with stitching color of my choice (will probably go black on white or grey). I got a quote from him and around 350 will get it done and here is an idea of the quality of his dash work.

You must be registered for see images


You must be registered for see images
Share the info of this guy. Something like that may be in my future. I'll drive 4.5 hours for that. Those are badass!!
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,333
Reaction score
512
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
There are others who do this but here is his facebook page if you are close to Dallas. His name is Pedro.

https://www.facebook.com/pgauto.upholstery/

Shop name is PG Auto UpholsteryHis shop address is 3402 N Beach St, Ste B, Haltom City, Texas 76111.

I don't know for sure but I think he has done some cars for some local awards shows and if you check his photos on his fbook page some of the custom work he has done on C-10's and other Square body chevy's just looks second to none.

He has some photos of various squares in various sizes and shapes... single cabs, crew cabs, a full top 73'ish blazer...

Links to has facebook photo page.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/pgauto.upholstery/photos/?ref=page_internal.

He quoted me a price of 325 about a year ago to fix the cracks in the padding and receover with Vinyl. Honestly, my dash is just destroyed (and he's seen pictures of it, lol.)

I've held off because right now I am focusing on the chassis and power train so the dash is the furthest thing away. In fact it's probably going to be one of the final things I install, and I hate to tie money up in that now when I can use it on other things. Also I am unsure if I am going to do something with the audio stuff, like larger speaker's in the dash, or figure out a way to mount an android head unit in, and that might require some changes in the dash structure (trying to avoid it but most options I see might necessitate it).

From what I have learned since then I figure the door panels will probably be about just as much if nothing custom is done but I think it will be worth it. I do think I am going to add some of the 3/4 MDF panels to mount a set of component speakers in the area above the pockets but but if I do that I am going to want the panels and things to be under the vinyl and have it so the speaker grills are inset, so the customization might cost a little extra. I am probably going to do the woodwork on the panel, mount by switches in the panel, and have it ready to be upholstered. That part is just a matter of wood shaping and attaching (will just use some stainless panel screws from the back - side, and then I am going to make my own alluminum inserts on the upper rectangle part and around the door handle use a combination of the OEM handle surround and make a micro-suede panel where GM put those carpeted pieces.
 

spanky55amg

I'll give u $5, a hardy handshake, & 5 fish sticks
Joined
Jun 6, 2017
Posts
819
Reaction score
212
Location
Dallas, TX
First Name
Spanky
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10 Short Fleet
Engine Size
V8
Glad I checked this out. @rpcraft where are from? I'm front Denton.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,167
Posts
950,751
Members
36,283
Latest member
Cantrell299
Top