70-71 Challenger Dash Pad Core

[filmsurgeon]

I am looking for a good steal core dash pad.  It must be from a 70-71 Challenger, 3-speaker, Non-A/C.  If you have one and live in SoCal, I can come pick it up.  Please email me at filmsurgeon@mac.com .  Thanks.

[4Cruizn]

Is there a difference in the core from cuda to challenger?   

[anlauto]

Is there a difference in the core from cuda to challenger?   

No the metal frames are both the same.

[burdar]

70 Challenger is a one year only dash.  71-74 Challenger and 70-74 Cuda are the same.(only difference being a different script on the 70 Cuda pad)  So, is there a difference between 70 Challenger frames compared to all others?

I'm pretty sure that you can just cut out the speaker openings in a single speaker frame.  The areas are clearly stamped on the back side.

[calicuda70]

i have one out of a 70 cuda non ac non 3 speaker thoe let me know

james

[filmsurgeon]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I only specified Non-A/C, 3-speaker because that's what I need to end up with when I have Just Dashes "restore" it.  I'm pretty sure I definitely need a Non-A/C core, but don't know for sure it's necessary that I give them one that was originally a 3-speaker dash.  Also, I don't know if I necessarily need to give them a '70 Challenger core, or if I can give them a later model and/or 'Cuda core that they can make into a '70 Challenger dash pad.  I've decided to go the JD route, rather than buying a UR dash pad even though it will cost me more $$$.  I am building a show car and don't want to compromise.  I have heard countless positive accolades on their workmanship and have seen their work first hand.  Also, I live only 30 minutes from their shop, so their won't be any realted shipping charges other than the cost for having a good used core shipped to me.  Any other advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks again for all the help.

[burdar]

I've heard good and bad things about both companies.  From what I've read, UR completely strips the frames down to bare metal and applies new foam.  JD does not.  They remove the vinyl and "fix" the existing foam and replace only areas that are cracked/missing.  I've heard that if the core/foam is really bad then the JD pads don't turn out very nice.  If you start out with a core that has nice foam, the end product will be much nicer.  This is just what I've read...no personal experience with JD.  Hopefully the vinyl that JD uses is closer to factory.  My UR pad's vinyl isn't even close to what my original vinyl looked like.

[anlauto]

In my opinion Just Dash's always look too puffy...like they're over inflated

[filmsurgeon]

So regarding the "core": Were they different depending on A/C vs. Non-A/C, and 3-speaker vs. center speaker only?  Were E-body 'Cuda and Challenger dash cores the same regardless of year/model?  I sincerely appreciate the help.

[calicuda70]

they are all the same i think, i know the one i have all three holes.

[anlauto]

I think all the metal frames are the same

Ultimate Rides will take anything as a core because they strip them 100% and start over.
Just Dashes needs a core of what you want such as A/C etc...because they just recover the existing foam/pad...I think

[filmsurgeon]

This is a response from a member on another forum site where I made a similar post.

"I have a bud who has had JD do several Cuda dashes and they all turned out very nice. I heard several different stories about usable cores lately, so I just called them. Here is what they said.

They use the core you send them, period. They can fill 3 speaker dashes, fill ac vents or cut them. They will charge you for this extra work. I did not ask about the Cuda to Challenger conversion. They will put a 70 script in a 71-74 core. They completely strip all the old foam from the steel core and hand lay new foam and contour it to the correct shape. Then they vacuum form the correct vinyl over the foam. The steel core is all they use and it must be rust free. I was told years ago that the better the core you sent, the better the finished product. I think years ago they might have left some of the original foam in place, but I asked two weeks ago and he said they strip everything off now. You will be happy with a dash from them. I'll pm you about a core if you need one."

[anlauto]

Well that good to hear they improved their methods