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Crickets? Would someone give me a pic from floor up so I can see what all I can cut out with out destroying the pad? Both sides and the center over the radio. Iv'e never seen it and never done it, never did any interior type work. Little help here!
Chip
When I did my pad about 12 years ago, I recall when I got done that I should have gotten more aggressive with the backing foam removal around where the windshield is and the dash pod insert as it would have made everything easier for me.
When I did my pad about 12 years ago, I recall when I got done that I should have gotten more aggressive with the backing foam removal around where the windshield is and the dash pod insert as it would have made everything easier for me.
Yeah, I get that and am working at it, Thanks for response.
Chip
Hermn59, I have searched, and never saw those, I'm not a computer guy. There are some good pics and info to study. I don't know why my search skills are so lame, but I had searched and searched, purchased the AK 1980's video, suffered through the Paragon silent film of a guy's back doing work. Just before I started to cut I searched again and found FTF post and it was way more informative than the rest on the top side, If I can get confy on bottom, I'm golden. Thanks for time spent doing search for me.
Chip
I can't believe how much foam needs to be shaved(removed) to make this dash pad fit. Was using an exato knife, but need to find something better. Some attachment for dremel or maybe a mini belt sander?
Chip
Something doesn't sound right. I installed an old Romeo pad in the 61 10 years ago and their fit was horrible back then and I didn't remove anything like near the amount of foam discussed here.
I hope you aren't on the edge of "no return" and messing up a new pad..
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 04-23-2019 at 07:23 AM.
The speaker hole is the first nd most important reference mark. If the pad goes up far enough to align PERFECTLY, the next areas of concern are the cluster and the passenger cove assemby (boomerang). Once those will go in, there is some material to be removed at the windshield post area so your door end caps will fit. I found the area I should have paid more attention to is right where the foam ends and the vinyl flap goes over the ledge into the windshield channel. Make sure there is no 'ridge'. It should roll over and have a nice flat end or it will push your windshield rubber up as it lays on the dash pad on the inside. Good luck. It is a tedious job
Last edited by vettsplit 63; 04-23-2019 at 07:26 AM.
I can't believe how much foam needs to be shaved(removed) to make this dash pad fit. Was using an exato knife, but need to find something better. Some attachment for dremel or maybe a mini belt sander?
Chip
I used a grapefruit spoon to scoop out foam as I made a dash pad fit my '60. It worked well.
Not sure what gap you are talking about. However, you are going to want to remove that foam out at the edge of the pad.... maybe back from the edge an inch to an inch and a half, depending on how much oversize the pad is. With the foam removed, you want to put the foamless edge outboard of the dash so the windshield can capture and secure it when it's re-installed.
If th OP's raw dash is the red part there, and the speaker hole lines up perfectly, all you need to do, as Jim said, is make sure the foam is trimmed so it doesn't overhang, and that it doesn't have a ragged edge that makes a ridge as it rolls over into the well of the windshield channel. It looks like it just needs to be glued down from the picture. Some of the AK flaps are cut too short and won't be long enough to fit completely down in the well for the windshield bolts to capture . PS- just SNUG the windshield bolts.
This is from mine a few years back. If I could do it anyone could do it. I had one heck of a time getting the right side clutch screws back in. I never trimmed the edge at all, I glued it down in the channel and ran the T-bolts through from the w/s to make sure it will not shrink and creep back. I was very fortunate to not cut to far as you see on so many pads. All done!
This is from mine a few years back. If I could do it anyone could do it.
I had one heck of a time getting the right side clutch screws back in.
I never trimmed the edge at all, I glued it down in the channel and ran the T-bolts through from the w/s to make sure it will not shrink and creep back.
I was very fortunate to not cut to far as you see on so many pads.
All done!
Seeing that picture is like having a flashback from a bad trip.
I installed my AK pad and my only issue was that the foam was too thick behind the instrument insert. It would not go back far enough ton get the bolts in and I had already glued. Make sure you check fit before gluing.
04-15-2019, 08:38 PM
Would someone give me a pic from floor up so I can see what all I can cut out with out destroying the pad? Both sides and the center over the radio. Iv'e never seen it and never done it, never did any interior type work. Little help here!
