Dash Pad Choices?

[Old Moparz]

I haven't posted in a while, but Carlisle set a fire under my a** to get motivated again.    First thing is, it was nice seeing everyone, but too bad the shows like that aren't more than once every year.

Here's my question. I searched a little in the forum, but didn't see this subject anywhere. I was wondering which might be the better route to go on the dash pad for my '71 Barracuda. Should I restore mine, having a place like Just Dashes recover it, or go with a reproduction dash? Color isn't an issue, it's black with A/C & a single center speaker.

Has anyone been able to compare both ways for quality & fit? I'm not at all concerned about originality, only that I have something that will look good, & not become a wrestling match trying to reinstall once I have it. Price is a factor, but only in that if they are all similar, I want the better of the bunch. (I already know all will be expensive.)

I did see a car at Carlisle with a dash cap & thought it was okay looking, but I prefer a pad. I could have kicked myself last Saturday at Carlisle when I missed out on a metal framed, repro Barracuda dash pad with a minor blemish for $300. My instinct said that was a good price, but I hesitated. I returned 15 minutes later & it was gone. 

I'd love some input on this, thanks, Bob

[whitesatinmopar]

Bob this has been about five  or six years ago, but we bought a new (reconditioned I think is the proper term) dash from Just Dashes for our Chally and it cost $500.00 + ship. It looks good, but if you look especially close you can notice a slight small indention between the defrost vent and the sterring column up next to the windshield. Other than that very minor spot which is very hard to see, it looks great. Dash caps are OK, but cost in excess of $100.00 anyway. I'm sure you can get a repop. quality pad for not much more than the one you spoke of at Carlisle. Not a cop out because I'd reconmend the pad route, but it all comes down to $$$ and your choice. I also installed a cap on our 72 B body, and from a distance it looks like a pad. The cover or cap usually requires some trimming and you really need to remove the dash from the car for the best results. If you go with the cap I can possibly gives some tips, not that I'm a pro interrior installer, but we have done three of our cars ourselves. The key, - PATIENCE - . 

[matt63]

I bought the repro dash pad from YO and I was very happy with it.  It wasn't cheap.

[Old Moparz]

Thanks for the replies. 

You guys wouldn't happen to have any photos, would you?

[whitesatinmopar]

Thanks for the replies. 

You guys wouldn't happen to have any photos, would you?

WHAT  ? ?   You mean to tell me you were at Carlisle and ya didn't walk over and check out WSM the car ?  Well, I never !      

Honestly tho, I doubt if a pic would show you the difference between a pad and a cover, if a cover is put on properly they look real nice. BTW..........Don's Cuda had a cover installed............notice?

[Chryco Psycho]

I like the quality of the Ultimate rides dash pads & was far from impressed with the Just dashes priduct
the # for ultimate rides si 915-859-5155

[Old Moparz]

WHAT  ? ?   You mean to tell me you were at Carlisle and ya didn't walk over and check out WSM the car ?  Well, I never !      

Honestly tho, I doubt if a pic would show you the difference between a pad and a cover, if a cover is put on properly they look real nice. BTW..........Don's Cuda had a cover installed............notice?

Well, if you've seen one E-Body, you've seen them all.

Seriously though, it's hard to tell just from looking inside whether the dash pads fit properly. I was hoping to hear back from E-Body owners that have gone through the whole dash pad resto. They'd be much more familiar with the products available, as well as what they may have been happy with, or dissapointed with.

I did see a few cars at Carlisle that had the dash caps, & the only way I knew they were caps, was that the area by the VIN tag showed the original pad under the edges of the opening. From the face they look good, & just like stock dash pads, & yeah, Don's looked good. I saw them at some vendor's tents & got to inspect them too.

I like the quality of the Ultimate rides dash pads & was far from impressed with the Just dashes priduct
the # for ultimate rides si 915-859-5155

I'll have to look into these pads too, thanks.

I've had B-Bodies mostly, & have extra dash pads in excellent shape, but this '71 is my first E-Body. I knew before I bought it that parts were more, I'd just hate to pay for something that isn't so great.

[IMNCARN82]

I got a cap...just made me want a pad more      

[heminut]

I got a cap...just made me want a pad more      

Me too!

[Old Moparz]

I got a cap...just made me want a pad more      

Me too!

That's what I was afraid of too.      Especially since they are usually over $100. If they were $25 it would be fine as a temporary fix, but in the long run I know it would bug me. At some point I'll have the dash out of the car before it ever gets driven.

Thanks again.

[ragtopdodge]

JDs, you can spot from a mile.

They look nice, but no where close to original looking.

UR are better.

Be patient and you can find a mint original one out there.  See 'em on e-bay from time to time.

I got a decent one on e-bay right now.