I have a 2" cut from the Sun over the years in my Dash pad on my 69, (Seems to be the original pad) How hard is it to replace the dash pad? A new one costs about $312 (Al Knoch) and I know it would look better than a patch job. Any thoughts?

 

i fixed my speaker tears-can you show picture of the tear?------

 

here's the dash after repair and dye-----

 

New dash pads are vary good quality(mine came from CVA) and not that hard to replace. The good news you can use the old one as practice until you get the proper technique down to do is without damaging the new one (practice make perfect) It is better if you have 2 people to install I would pull the dash up a little then jam it as far to the left as possible,(keeping left hand on far left of dash holding it in and down, then my right put right hand in middle if dash pad and started pushing it up AT THE SAME TIME my son would push down on the far right side of pad and I could control the up push in the middle to form a fairly serious ARCH them my son could pull his side out and clear the metal pillar post.

I heard cracking as I did this and it scared the heck out of me even though I knew I was not going to reuse the old pad. The new pad backing was a plastic material and I heated it up vary warm to soften the plastic with my 100,000 btu kerosene heater. I would use the 95 degree sun in the summer but it was winter down hear at the time, the heater work great and I would even use it in the summer now for this type of job just to make it go quicker.

I used Duck Tape to cover the section on the pillar when installing the new the dash, the pillar had sharp areas. I put baby power on the tape side to lesson the stick so it was easy to pull out and remove after the install.

Good Luck

 

Thanks for the advice. My local corvette shop mentioned it only took about 30 minutes to install. I didn't know if I should install it or let someone who knows what they are doing install it.

 

If they can replace it in 30 minutes, I think I would consider paying them to do it. I do not think I can replace anytihng on my '69 in 30 minutes.

 

Yep, I think that's what I'm gonna do. They do good work and have replaced dozen's of them. So, I'll let them replace it. I'm going to go ahead and order my 69 Blk dash pad replacement from Al Knoch (I've heard good things about their products). I am guessing it comes already in Black vinyl and I should not have to dye it, I am correct?

 

No dye required on the new one except sooner or later you will want to re-dye your old panels to match your new dash!!!!!!That’s how it starts you know, one thing leads to another then another, another ect............

Good luck if you stop at the dash you are a better man than most.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was pretty sure no dye would be required when I receive my New Dash Pad from Al Knoch but now I re-assured. The rest of my interior looks pretty good. I may do something with my seats, they are vinyl and they sit really low (original owner was a very tall thin fella') everyone who has sat in the seat has commented same. It's probably time for some new Foam and I already have new ComfortWeave Vinyl seat covers (which I believe were the orginial seat covers if I am not mistaken) BTW, Is there anyway to find out if the ComfortWeave was original for NCRS?

 

Since the dash pad "is more in the Sun" ...if it were a tad "blacker", I hope over some time the sun exposure will fade it to blend with rest of interior. My interior looks very good and I hope I don't even have that problem. Even if I patched the crack and re-dyed my original, I still would have a bit darker dash and the same worn vinyl underneath, I fear in time it would just crack in another place, thus a new dash pad makes sense. (Since it gets the most sun exposure and will fade in quickly in time).

 

I just finished my interior and the new foam really helps the seats set better, but I also raised the drivers seat in the rear with a 1/2 inch shim I put under the carpet.

the added height makes a huge difference on how the car feels, now I do not feel like I'm setting in a hole anymore.

Good luck

 

The dash is held down by about 5 screws into a cross brace that is held to the birdcage by 2 bolts each side. The dash pad is also clipped to the birdcage just behind the windshield in 4 places. The gauge cluster can stay in place, but both sides of the dash must come out to reach the screws and pull it back and out. This will require dropping the steering column. You might get it out in 30 minutes, but never do the replacement and assemblyt in that time. IMHO

 

Good info!! You describe exactly how I feel with my seats now. Good to know that new foam will help and I'll keep the 1/2" shim in mind also. I'm 5' 10" and just feels like not much foam is supported in the bottom of my seat. Original owner was a very tall guy (I have a photo of him standing next to the vette) He was tall!

 

Thanks for the informative reply.... I think I'll let my knowledgeable friendly local Corvette shop do the install. (I don't have the time to do it and they have installed many)

 

I made a solo attempt to get my 36 year old dash pad today but gave up.

Solo = no go

 

Just exactly where in New Bern is this knowledgeable, friendly, local Corvette Shop?
Hope you made it through the storm ok. I think it was worse in New Bern than out here on the island.

 

Wow a 6 yr. revival - great use f the search function! I saw a dash cap replacement pad (@ $90 I think) on a beautifully restored 72 bb the other day. I couldn't tell the difference it looked that good.