60 dash pad install
 

I'm on the fence as far as who will install my new AK dash pad, Me, AK, local high $ custom interior guy, I bought the AK "how too" video, it's not rocket science, "BUT" they removed the right side grab bar bracket and the one on my car is not coming off with out major surgery, I should say it's not going back on with out major surgery. The one on the left I can remove. So does the one on the right have to come off? No matter who does the install it will be an issue if it has to be removed. Seems to me that I, they should be able to work around it, but have never done it.
Chip

Looking forward to the replies. I will be doing the same to my 59 soon.

Chip, Good luck on the dash pad! A 1960 White with Red interior is in my view the most beautiful of all the C1s.
Just sayin', Mike
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...dd3ba770a6.jpg

Hermn I think we are running neck and neck, but I'm ahead by a nose.
Chip

Ragtop, YEAH!! that's what I' m talking about!! Beautiful!
Chip

Why don't you call Al Knoch and ask them?

I am doing the same on my 58 I'm pretty sure it has to come off. Don't know why yours would be so tuff mine came right off

All you ever wanted to know in several parts:

“Paragon Corvette c1 dash pad install”

Search YouTube with the above phrase

Yes it has to come off. You can't get the right hand 'boomerang' off without pulling it off. And as far as the AK video, it helps, but look back in the CF archives on dash pads in the not too distant past and you will see several issues that aren't addressed. Good luck.

Dunno why the grab bar "bracket(s)" need to come off, the pad slips right over them. The cove (Corvette) piece needs to have one bracket removed, not both., you can finagle it around the remaining bracket. Its just like removing and installing a ferrari 308 inner rear fender, it seems like it will never come out, or go back in, then suddenly it gets in the right spot,and poof, its there. I am The King of avoiding removing hard to get at pieces.

You have nothing to loose by trying to remove the cove piece with the RH bracket in the car, if you can get it out, you can get it back in.

Doug

I'm curious as to "why" you can't remove it......

FTF, I found the Paragon U-tube a while ago and thought something was wrong with the sound, I watched a lot of it today, seems newer than the AK video, but I kept thinking about Charlie Chaplin and Model T's running down muddy bumpy roads. They removed both brackets and trimmed foam at windshield AK didn't. I'll work on pulling both brackets.
Vettsplit, I learned a long time ago that no one gives out all the info needed to do a job, DIY, when they offer the service themselves.
AZDoug you might be right, but I'm not a gambler.
I will get these bracket bolts out, maybe easy or maybe not. They are not coming out with clutch head tool, too old weak and rusty, already tried. The welded nuts are blind and I hope I can get some Kroil to them. Here is a pic.
Chip
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...837165a4d3.jpg
I'll open the area a little and square them off for vice grip action.https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b5723a16ff.jpg
Yes I have clutch head tools.

I cut a slot in the bolt head with a cut off wheel and used an impact driver with a flat screwdriver head to break loose the stubborn one.

I tried clutch head tool with impact drive , but seemed like fiberglass was taking all the impact so I gave up on that to prevent cracks. I wish I would have known this prior to paint.
Chip

Well I will admit I misunderstood what you were talking about. There was ONE of them that we left on. I can't remember which one though. And the bracket wasn't a problem. Sorry I gave you some incorrect info

A lot of contradiction between AK and Paragon dash in stall videos. Other than the sound and $ thing.
Chip

You got the cove piece out, WTF are you needing to get the bracket out?

Good lord, man, the pad will slip right over it, you have a new, very flexible, dash pad. Test fit it on before applying adhesive, if you don't believe me. The cove piece will cover any slit you need to make to pass the bracket.

Doug

Well, Doug, I'll give it a shot. I also have a pad I bought new back in the 80's and it's still in the box( has a little mice damage in the foam) that I could use as a practice dummy before I do the new AK pad. Thanks
Chip

Back to the dash pad, got my practice pad in place ready to start cutting, if all goes well I'll be comfortable cutting in the new AK pad.
Chip
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d89db3b911.jpg
40 years old and never installed "practice pad now"

Practice pad was a bad idea, it must be a Romeo, oem, or who knows who made it a this point, the two pads have nothing in common as far as the area
to cut and remove. I'm installing the AK pad now, I don't have pad that was on the car and I wasn't the one that took it off, so running a little blind here. Pad fits nice on passenger side, fitted the insert, after some work, center fits good, speaker hole lines up, cluster is close after a lot of work(needs more I think), but driver side just doesn't fit right. I have been removing foam and it's getting better. Now at the point that all this extra flashing at the end cap area and down under the dash may be holding me up, I don't know where to cut. Here is some pics. I think if I get rid of some of the flashing pad will relax or maybe need to remove mote foam. Need to get extra flashing out before i start removing more foam. Looking for a little help here.
Chip
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...91607bbb89.jpghttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5ee34af603.jpg