Dash Pad Year 1 vs Paddocks

[bb71challenger]

If I had it to do over again I would go with Nick. I am pretty sure I bought it not long after I started surfing here at triple c. I am stuck with an ABS YearOne dash pad that I have not even trial fit yet. I sure hope the gremlins pass me by on it because I paid like 625 for it, thats not cheap at all. I would also like to know what the deal is with the ABS frames, whats bad about them?

[mopardave]

get the pad from Nick great guy heal do you right. Ultimate ride pads are good quality on an origianl steel frame. you cant go wrong

[bb71challenger]

Hey Dave, what is the deal with the ABS frames? Is there some sort of health hazard or do they just not fit right? I didnt really understand if Nick was just talking about going nuts with the bad fit of the ABS dash or if there is some kind of hazard in the ABS?   

[az-nick]

Hey Dave, what is the deal with the ABS frames? Is there some sort of health hazard or do they just not fit right? I didnt really understand if Nick was just talking about going nuts with the bad fit of the ABS dash or if there is some kind of hazard in the ABS?   

Brett - depending where you live will dictate if a dashpad made with ABS will survive in a car or not. They do not fair well in Hot humid or dry parts of the country, especially if you leave the car in the sun more often than not. I have seen them twist and crack and then I have seen some nice examples, it is a hit and miss with them and they cost way too much.....

[bb71challenger]

Damn this is getting worse every time I hear about them.    Man, I am sure glad I got the garage cleaned out but it sucks to know that they are not good. As I was saying before, I know for a fact that I have 4 extra frames not including the original from my car and the one that is in my 70 Challenger. I figured at the time that it was the best bet because I was hearing horror stories about different guys waiting forever or not being satisfied with their dashes. Its been well over 2 years since I bought the dash, lol I guess I could have waited a long time for a steel dash redo eh?

[quapman]

I would also like to know what the deal is with the ABS frames, whats bad about them?

Plastics like ABS are flexible and prone to decay, cracking, warping, etc.

Steel is stiff and unyielding, like steel.

[mopardave]

can't go wrong with a steel core.

[Blue Meanie]

I know on a challenger the dash is different from 70 to other years, but is the metal frame the same?  My 70 came to me with a later style dash, and is the only core I have.  Will it work for mounting up a 70 style pad?

[wally426ci]

Hey Nick, have you decided if you're going to Carlisle? I hope your health is going ok. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I know on a challenger the dash is different from 70 to other years, but is the metal frame the same?  My 70 came to me with a later style dash, and is the only core I have.  Will it work for mounting up a 70 style pad?

All cores are the same. It just a matter of punching out the AC vents, or corner speakers, if those are an option on your car. When sending in a core, all you really need to send is just the steel frame.

[az-nick]

Hey Nick, have you decided if you're going to Carlisle? I hope your health is going ok. 

Getting better, thanks for asking, I am sure i will not be at Carlisle this year, will try for next year.

[Bills70]

I haven't seen anyone mention "just dashes" I have no current experience but several years ago a friend ordered one and had it installed and there was no problems at all they will also re-cover YOUR frame if you want to do it that way!  www.justdashes.com and they are pretty nice folks!! they also re-grain plastic parts like the a-pillars, door panels and back panels! I think turn around time is probably the problem?  I think they said something like 6 weeks turnaround but I am not to sure!
Good luck with your dash search, I just put one of those dash covers on mine!  the cheap remedy for a  cracked dsh     AND it looks nice too!

Bill

[JoltinJoe]

I'm also looking for input about Just Dashes. 

[PlumCrazyRTSE]

For what it's worth, the previous owner of one of my challengers had the dash redone by Just Dashes back in March of 1999 ($661.20).  The workmanship looks really nice, they did a great job on it.  However this car has been driven less than 1000 miles in the last ten years and has probably never sat out in the sun very long, so I really have no idea how it would hold up in a harsher environment.

[Bills70]

For what it's worth, the previous owner of one of my challengers had the dash redone by Just Dashes back in March of 1999 ($661.20).  The workmanship looks really nice, they did a great job on it.  However this car has been driven less than 1000 miles in the last ten years and has probably never sat out in the sun very long, so I really have no idea how it would hold up in a harsher environment.

My friends car sat outside 24/7 and I saw it about 4 years later and the dash still looked good!! and that is in the HOT california sun