Looking for a new dash

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razz2o4

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josh
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1986
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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?

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1987 GMC Jimmy

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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

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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.
 
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foamypirate

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How do theirs compare to the others?

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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

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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

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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.

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74 Shortbed

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Those are badass..
 

rpcraft

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Glad I checked this out. @rpcraft where are from? I'm front Denton.
 

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