urethane dash pads anyone?

[Swims350]

Is it just mine or is everyon'e urethane dash pads complete trash?

I mean mine sucks, doesn't fit for anything, all rolly and crap looks like trash.

It has to be urethane it's heavy as crap and new, no I didn't buy it thankfully.

I trimmed the side a ton and got a nice fit there, but the thing doesn't lay well at all along the windshield, it's all up and down, like it needs to be shoved down under the window rubber but it's not long enough to do so. It's was sticking way up around both the side speakers, which were factory and factory brackets, I ended up flipping those under the dash in hopes of a better fit. Not much luck. It honestly looks like I'll have to take it back out and trim everything off the underside above the gauges as it's holding it up weird off the bezel. Both outer corners there are down as they should be but the middle up so it rolls up in the middle and down on he outer edges, just looks stupid to me as most stockers lay flat across the top.

 

[Kim Burke]

I’ve heard bad things about overlays or the plastic backed dash pads. So, I bought the expensive metal backed pad(LMC or Classic Industries, I can’t remember) and wasn’t totally overwhelmed with it either.
If it’s free, sounds like it’s still better than most originals out here.

 

[Swims350]

I've got one of those plastic overlays in dad's 84 it fit tons better then this and only complaint I have is it split years later, in one spot only.


This one is a metal backed dash it's urethane with metal inside weighs a ton compared to stock, so much it actually split in the corner of the gauge bezel over years of laying in the truck not fit right.

It wasn't exactly free, it came in the truck I bought. I'm just glad I didn't pay good money for such BS

 

[Knuck55]

Bought one of those urethanes off Ebay and it was total crap. Did not fit, the metal clip inserts came out, bezel would not even go in. They advertised "made in USA" but it was total junk for 300.00. Even cost me 50.00 to send it back. Stripped all the plastic off the factory one and am looking into doing some sort of cover myself. Any body with suggestions?

 

[73c20jim]

@bucket

How about a section where we can share our bad experiences with parts to save others the trouble??

 

[Andreas Wickman]

Im just to sent my cracket dash to a restorer in CA named Just Dashes. Its not cheap but I hope its super quality. Anyone who tried them?

 

[Cartronics]

Just dashes is the best. I think you will be paying well over a grand for that restoration though. Did they quote you a price?

 

[Andreas Wickman]

Yes $850. Im so tired of many of the things Classic and LMC sells, looks great on pictures, but is nothing compared to the original once you get it. bad fitting, tiny metal, .... i have used a "dash-shell" from LMC now for two years, already cracked by the sun.

 

[Snoots]

I think you'll like the results. Do you have any 'before' photos? I know we'd all like to see the 'after' photos!

 

[curbstone mech]

Bought one of those urethanes off Ebay and it was total crap. Did not fit, the metal clip inserts came out, bezel would not even go in. They advertised "made in USA" but it was total junk for 300.00. Even cost me 50.00 to send it back. Stripped all the plastic off the factory one and am looking into doing some sort of cover myself. Any body with suggestions?

I'm techno-challenged or else I could post a link where somebody used spray insulating foam and restored his original dash. Looked decent when done.Maybe someone here can help find and post?

 

[78C10BigTen]

My factory pad is really really cracked but i scored a near mint factory one hiding in a barn. Im lookin for the correct way to paint it.

 

[Snoots]

My factory pad is really really cracked but i scored a near mint factory one hiding in a barn. Im lookin for the correct way to paint it.

I believe Eastwood's site has a how-to on that. SEM paint is the best for matching color on plastics.

 

[omillan99]

I'm techno-challenged or else I could post a link where somebody used spray insulating foam and restored his original dash. Looked decent when done.Maybe someone here can help find and post?

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/how-to-refurbish-your-dashpad.8614/

Its the sticky in this sub-forum actually! Its an awesome write up!