UR dash problems (AC vents don't fit!)

[Katfish]

I'm am super frustrated and hope I'm doing something wrong, but I really don't think so.
I'm emailed Dave Roseville but hoping someone has some advice.

I bought this dash during the last group buy and just now getting around to installing it during my time off for the holidays.

See pics for details, but in summary:

- There is WAY too much material around the bottom of the AC vent openings.

- AC vent corners are not defined, and are rounded, making it impossible to seat the vent.

- Vinyl material is already separating and bubbling around the AC opening.

I fought with the smaller vent to get it somewhat close, I even trimmed a 1/4" off the bottom of the removable vent, and as you can see in the pic, it is so tight the vent can't seat and makes the pad bulge.  There is no way to trim the pad itself in this area as there is only a 1/4" lip and the top layer is already separating.

At this point I'm too frustrated to even attempt getting the center vent to work. There is even more material on the bottom and the corners are severely rounded.  I can't see being able to grind off the vent enough to allow it too fit.

I would hope UR would test fit the AC vents before sending out, there is absolutely no way any amount off trimming would allow these vents to seat / fit.

The pics of the center vent that do fit are my original dash with a dash cap.

[spamtank]

I had the same issue with mine.  Took a lot of cutting and I had to carefully heat the interfering corners with a heat gun and press into it with a block of wood to better form the corners.  I also had to cut/grind the metal frame to get the AC vents to fit.  If I remember correctly, the passenger side AC vent was the worst.

The results were okay.  But if you are a perfectionist, you will be disappointed.

In general, my car is not perfect in any sense of the word.  And to most casual observers, it looks great.  But I know where the problems are. 

UR was having a problem with their stitching machine about a year ago, which delayed my delivery.  And by the time I started on the project and discovered the issue, I felt I would have been with out my car until well into the spring/summer season.

I know Dave would have made it right.  Those guys (he and Jon, and Roseville) are stand up Mopar folks.  But I choose to go with the devil I knew, rather than wait several months and have a different set of problems.  I kept my original dash frame since it seemed like it was in much better shape than the one I received restored.  At least then I'll have a better starting point if I ever want to have it redone.

Good luck.

[anlauto]

I would try heat as well. The results you'll get won't be great, but it's the best you're going to get with a UR pad.
They need work, no doubt about it, but IN MY OPINION, they are the best available to date.

In all honesty, I've only ever dealt with one A/C UR pad, and I can't recollect what was needed at that time.

Maybe for an A/C car...Just Dashes is the way to go ?

[blown motor]

I also got a pad on the group buy last winter and had the same problem. I trimmed as much foam from around the vent openings as I dared to and trimmed a bit of plastic off of the vent itself to get it to fit better. It's still not as good as I'd like it and certainly not as good as original. I did it in June and felt if I returned it for another one I'd be without the car most of the summer. Didn't want to put the old one back in and then change it again later. It's a lot of work and once is enough.

[spamtank]

Sounds like there must be some sort of issue with the AC Dash form that they use. 

Doesn't sound like the non-AC dash folks have an issue.

I guess we're kinda lucky there's a company doing it at all.

[mopardave]

how long ago did you buy this? 
If it doesn't fit we can exchange it, I personally do NOT test fit any components on these. I just look them over for visual issues,

We sell about 60 pads a year for UR and I would say about 1/3 are AC pad variations, really have had NO complaints to speak of  the vents not fitting, one other a while back, and we swapped it out. You never hear about the good ALWAYS the bad or issues installing, par for the course.

in regards to UR vs JD, Was going to get set up with them but I would NOT sell half of what I sell if we sold the JD part, they are 1200 with a 400 core, Most guys are building drivers or flipping and wont pay that because of budget constraints, most barely digest what we sell these for. plus the grain IMO is incorrect. What issues we have had with UR they do get resolved,

i'll check my emails in the AM ,

thanks David.

[Katfish]

Trimming or heating is not going to help this.  Heat would only affect the vinyl and do nothing to the foam underneath.
It looks like they first inject/mold/bond the foam to the steel frame then glue/bond the vinyl overlay on top of that.
There is just too much foam in the bottom corners, you can see how rounded the corners are in the pics compared to the factory dash.

I would hope they would do some sort of trimming with a template BEFORE applying the vinyl.  Only way I see to fix would be to dig some of the excess foam out of the corners.
Since the vinyl is already starting to separate in the area I'm reluctant to go any further.
I've already cut too much of the vent, only 1/16" left.

I think its been almost a year since I bought the dash.  With work and personal issues this is the 1st chance I've had to put it on.