Dash Pad advice - seeking help in beating this dead horse

[Cudakiller70]

My dash is an original. No cracks. knock on wood.

Oh you jinxed it now, good going man!

[filmsurgeon]

I tried the Ultimate Rides pad (didn't have a core for exchange, so had to pay for pad + core + shipping).  Ended up sending it back for bad fitment.  Got a bare steel core for free.  Patience is a virtue. Went to Just Dashes (they're only 30 minutes away from where I live). They'll get it to you in 5 weeks if you pay cash up front.  That's what I did.  Very, very happy with their work.  Here's the link to my post from 09/2104. http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=97159.msg997586#msg997586

Just Dashes total cost = $1,335
Breakdown as follows:
Dash Restore = $1,100
New Emblem = $35
Extra Foam = $150 (wanted all new foam anyway, plus I gave them a bare steel core).
Cut Side Speaker Holes  = $50
Rush Service = ("No Charge" since I gave them cash when I dropped off the core).
No tax
No shipping (since I dropped off and picked up myself.  I live 30 mins from JD).

UR pad = $1,100
Pad = $800 (with Cuda-Challenger member discount)
Core Charge  $200
Shipping = $100

In the end and IMO, the extra $235 was WELL worth it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[69CHARGERMD]

I got mine from Ultimate Rides and have no issues,,,but,,,, I did pick it up at Carlise,,,and I could see it and look it over really well before the purchase.
I have some very minor fitment issues,,but nothing worriesome. Not sure if you go to Carlise or not ? ( and I think they are located in Texas ? )
I think I paid $900 at Carlise ( pad with steel core ) ,,,,,,
I brought my "old" dash back the following year,,,,and he handed me $150 cash no questions asked.....



Filmsurgeon's car looks top notch,,,So Im sure JD would be a great choice as well

[ChallengerHK]

So was this just the stock they brought to Carlisle, or did you place an advance order with them?

[anlauto]

So was this just the stock they brought to Carlisle, or did you place an advance order with them?

A lot of people "pick-up" at Carlisle but Alan Foxx usually brings whatever stock he can fit in his vehicle. There's also another guy in Row "O" selling his pads.

[ChallengerHK]

 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

How bad are the dash cap options out there? My dash has some significant cracks, but I certainly struggle justifying $1,200 to make the top of the dash look reasonable.   

[ChallengerHK]

FWIW, I've never seen one installed that looked good. There are a few people here who have installed them and say they look OK.

[Mickm]

My dash cap looks ok, as long as you don't look at it too close.

Update: I pulled the pad by myself this morning. It took me 2 hours taking my time and making sure I removed everything I should, bagging and tagging all hardware as I went.

I am going to bite the bullet and send my to JD's tomorrow. I have heard too many bad stories about customer service from UR and I  don't go to Carlisle plus they are located about
10 hours from me.

I'll post updates on my experience for anyone going down the same path.

Thanks for all the input guys, it is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
Mickm

[Rdchallenger12]

What about if you just want to change the color of the dash and the pad is in good shape?

[750-h2]

You can dye it to change color. Performance Car Graphics make the proper dyes for all Mopar colors. Not cheap at about $115.00 per pint. You can also go with Herb's spray bombs but the colors are not nearly as accurate as PCG.

[Mickm]

While I'm at it, I think I will change to an ac dash with vents in it. I have the Vintage Air unit already installed and am very pleased with it.
Has anyone done this and what will I need to do to covert from the vent pod that attaches to the bottom of the dash now?

Cheers!
Mickm

[mojavered]

I had just dashes do my pad for me, about ~5 years ago.  I was headed down south and dropped it off and got it back about 5 weeks later.  They did a great job on it.  I had them mirror my original and put the 3 speakers and the AC vents in.  I wish I would have never put the vents in, because I don't think I will put AC back into my car unless I go with vintage or something.  They usually provide their own vent source though???  I would figure out what you want your end result to be before sending as you can't go back on it.  You will be very happy with the dash you get back from them as it will be your core, with no fitment issues at all!

[Mickm]

mojavered,
I think you are spot on and thanks for the input. I sent my dash pad out to Just Dashes yesterday, it will be there next Monday.
While I am very pleased with my Vintage Air system, I decided I am going to have them put ac louver holes in while they are at it.
 
I have found a very nice set of oem dash vents but before I purchased them I wanted a price for the modification.

I called them today to see what the price was, John said I would need to speak to Jason so I explained my timing issue with getting the vents.
John went  to their second building just to speak with Jason then called me back with the additional price to add the vent holes.

To this point, I am very pleased with the way I am being treated. Especially after reading how much trouble many had communicating with UR.

I'll keep everyone posted how my experience goes.

Cheers!
Mickm

[Mickm]

Update!
I sent my dash pad to Just-Dashes the week of Thanksgiving and it just arrived back today. When I sent it they told me they would have it completed by the end of February or the first part of March, so I look less time than estimated.

John contacted me when it arrived, letting me know if was there and we discussed what I was wanting. I opted to have it made into an ac example for an additional $120.00, which I thought was very fair.

Then they contacted me around the first of February asking for a credit card number to pay for their services. This price included shipping back when completed.

Then they contacted me again last Friday to let me know it was shipping that day and would be supplying tracking numbers.

All this being said, I could not be more pleased with the way they conducted our business from start to finish.
Let's take a look and see what we have.



This is how it arrived. To say it was packaged well would be an understatement.


This is how to pad is wrapped inside the heavy cardboard box.


And here's the finished product. I can't tell you how great this looks and feels, it's awesome!


It was short work getting the pad back on the frame. Since it was the same pad I sent (I marked it so I could be certain I get the same one back) the mounting screws went into position easily.

I paid more than I had hoped ($1500 total) but I feel as though I got more than I paid for in quality and customer service. I highly recommend Just Dashes.

Cheers!
Mickm