Lower dash pads
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 87
From: Bismarck IL.
Lower dash pads
I have a pair of repo dash pads and I'm trying to install them.They seem to be a 1/4 to tall.I can't get the upper dash pad to go in the place and there is a 1/4 gap above the center gauge cluster.Anybody have any tips on installing the dash pads? My orginals had a couple of small cracks.Maybe I should have installed skins instead.Any body used skins and did it turn out ok ? Thanks for any info,Charlie.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 524
Likes: 8
From: Manahawkin NJ
I just recently bought 2 setts of dash pads for my 73 and nither fit, same problem your having.
Let me guess Corvette America parts
After a lot of tweeking I got them to fit but still don't fit like the originals fit.
Let me guess Corvette America parts
After a lot of tweeking I got them to fit but still don't fit like the originals fit.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
My resto project was a blast until I got to that part. That experience was so bad I was ready to throw in the towel. Those also were CA pads.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
This is freakin nice to know as I have a RH lower dash on order from Willcox(CA) as we speak. I heard the LH and RH lowers don't fit great, thats why I tried to re-use my originals and just dye them. Well when i was installing my RH lower the other day, one of the 3 screws in the front pulled all the way through, as I tried to back out the screw, the washer caught the vinyl and cracked it the diameter of a quarter around the hole. I was SOOO pissed. So I ordered the new one from CA hoping it would be ok or maybe they are better now. Guess not.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If you still have the original dash pads, measure them up and compare them to the new ones. You may be able to see where the differences are and adjust them. If your old ones are just dingy, but not cracked or damaged, send the new ones back and buy some SEM vinyl dye for your interior color code (on the door plate). You can make them look like new unless damaged. And, yes, I did the "skin" thing on my door panels....never again. I'm sure the right side dash pad would go pretty well, but I bet the driver's side would be a bear with all the cut-outs and curves. I wouldn't try to re-skin it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I reused my lowers........the top is a repro. The lowers were originally dark brown. Cleaned them up and sprayed them with Krylon Fusion. I had trouble with the pasenger side lining up but that was largely due to the new top pad. Door panels challenged my vocabulary as well.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 524
Likes: 8
From: Manahawkin NJ
I reused my lowers........the top is a repro. The lowers were originally dark brown. Cleaned them up and sprayed them with Krylon Fusion. I had trouble with the pasenger side lining up but that was largely due to the new top pad. Door panels challenged my vocabulary as well.
The CA pads look great coming out of the box, nice color and grain, just a horrible fit. Too bad
