cracked upper dash pad
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
cracked upper dash pad
Hi my corvettes dash is all cracked down and the speakers holes are getting bigger every time i pass a cloth to clean the dash. I think is time for a replace. Any recommendation? are the overlays a good idea or should i go for a full replacement? thanks
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
I have a dash pad replacement and it really cleaned up the look of the interior, but it does look knit-picky to install.
It was on the vette when I purchased it, and it is one of those that covers everything.. not just the top of the dash. It does not fit absolutely perfectly... but that could have more to do with the installer and not the product.
It was on the vette when I purchased it, and it is one of those that covers everything.. not just the top of the dash. It does not fit absolutely perfectly... but that could have more to do with the installer and not the product.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Mine had the overlay which I didn't even know until I started to remove the dash. So for looks I think you will be happy. I needed to remove my dash and cracked it so I'm replacing the entire thing mainly because I found a new one on ebay for $350.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
ecklers carries this two items the overlay for $99 and the dash replacement for $370. I was also thinking in having it upholstered with like leather material as shipping and taxes for this item to argentina kills me (what I pay there $100 gets to my door in $180). Any one had it done like this?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
$379 sounds good to me. My year model (78) Ecklers wants $529 for the dash pad. I considered buying some leather and covering mine in that. I figured if done right it would look good. I just have too many projects on the car already and went with the stock look.
You might also run a search on dashes. I found a company that takes your old dash and uses it as a mold and then makes a new dash that is a little thicker and more durable than stock. I don't remember the name but was something simple like dashes.com. The dash that I got in is one that ecklers sells and it does look a little thinner than the original, not that it means that it is any less durable.
I had also considered fiberglassing the old dash and then painting it when I painted the car.
If you want to consider leather or leatherlike, I'd take the dash to a interior shop and talk to them. They might be able to strengthen it back up, repair the cracks and cover it for you at a good price
You might also run a search on dashes. I found a company that takes your old dash and uses it as a mold and then makes a new dash that is a little thicker and more durable than stock. I don't remember the name but was something simple like dashes.com. The dash that I got in is one that ecklers sells and it does look a little thinner than the original, not that it means that it is any less durable.
I had also considered fiberglassing the old dash and then painting it when I painted the car.
If you want to consider leather or leatherlike, I'd take the dash to a interior shop and talk to them. They might be able to strengthen it back up, repair the cracks and cover it for you at a good price
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If the speaker holes are your only problem, why not buy some correctly sized auto speaker covers that you can dye to match color and which you can just screw in place onto your pad [after cutting out the bad areas]. It won't be exactly original, but it will probably look as good and buying the whole dash pad cover anyway. [Just an alternative idea.] If the cracking extends beyond the speaker area, the cover is a better alternative.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
Is not only the holes but it also cracked in the middle of the pad just in front the vent grille. willcox sells on ebay the replacement for less than ecklers. Are willcox products ok? I´m an ecklers customer but if they can´t mach that price i´ll try willcox as they also carry good prices in carpeting. Other parts supplier to count?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Check this out, I've bought from them before and have great products and service. I've come to find out that they are Corvette America. I'm ordering a new dashpad this week from them, the price is great. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=005
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Is not only the holes but it also cracked in the middle of the pad just in front the vent grille. willcox sells on ebay the replacement for less than ecklers. Are willcox products ok? I´m an ecklers customer but if they can´t mach that price i´ll try willcox as they also carry good prices in carpeting. Other parts supplier to count?
I'd bet that willcox is selling the same product just at a lower price. Check for their forum specials on the internet. They are always running different deals in that section. The customer service from willcox is very good from my experience and what I have read on here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
It is much easier without the windshield in the car. Most break into pieces when being removed. At least the ends will break off. Try to repair it in place, if possible. You might break it puting it back in after repairing it outside the car.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
I had to remove both of the interior pillar pads and unscrew the front drivers and passenger pads from the top,those screws also attach to the lip of the dash pad and when removing pick one side higher than the other to slide it out. and just to give you a heads up the side that is closer to the winshield has some c-clips on the bottom side so you will have to pull toward you before picking up.
