Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Im looking at getting a new dash pad, green for a 70. Who has the best or worst? If not comfortable posting here PM me. thanks

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

None of you have changed out your cracked dash pad? LOL

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I had my original recovered

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Mine's an LMC for my `70. It's ok I have no experience with other vendors dash pads.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

if it isn't a genuine GM pad then there isn't much difference in any of them.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

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There is a lot of difference in the aftermarket pads made. I'm not sure the vendor matters, just make sure it has the metal insert like the originals. Some of the cheap ones don't and they are like a limp you know what...

LockDoc

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

This is actually my next purchase for my truck.

Who sells the better dash pads?

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I just bought one from Early Classic and it seems very close to the original. (I did not have an original to compare) The pad has the steel insert, came with all the hardware and fit well for aftermarket stuff. I am not sure of the "brand" of the pad though.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

If you look on ebay, there is a guy that sells vinyl wrapped OEM style dash pads from time to time. Those are the best quality if wanting to be exact, but they are double $ what the urethane ones are. I believe he can get them in different colors. 3/4 of the vendors only carry the Urethane molded dash pads, which do the trick, but aren't like the originals. If getting the urethane ones, make sure to follow the advice and make sure it has a metal backing atleast. Trevor

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I recently installed on from The Truck Shop. Fit and finish is nice. Would buy another from them if needed.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

my bad ... i've never seen one without the metal insert. i stand corrected.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I got mine from the Truck Shop as well. Very pleased with it. Identical to original.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

With most of the parts for our trucks being aftermarket and with my involvement with some of the vendors I have learned that alot of them buy in bulk from the Truck Shop in Orange County Cal. and when you see there boxes or packages the name CounterPart will apear on them!
Lots of vendors even go to the effort to change the package or just label over the CounterPart label.
There are other aftermarket companies out there that repop the dash pads and the arm rest ect. cant remember the name right off the top of my head!
But getting feed back from board member always helps out!
just my 2cents worth
Donnie

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Thats because the Truck and Car shop is the Retail end of Counterparts. Quite a few companies buy from Counterparts. We don't

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Do they look like this original one? I've been wanting one for my 69.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I have a NOS Black one for $200.00 shipped if interested????

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I have a counterparts version that is extra, a NOS GM and another 2 I bought at the auto fair several years ago. The NOS is definitely different than the others- but I feel the units from the truck shop are very nice and look similar if not exact to the NOS. The other counterparts version is floppy so to speak however the grain looks good and once installed would be fine. I also have discovered that the 69-72 pad is thinner than the original 67-68 pad. I recently got a super nice unit from Duncan and son in original condition and it was much thicker than the later years.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

since no company produces the shade green I had, I found a good oem and painted/dyed it to match the original. simple process.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

The one I got from dashesdirect.com fit perfectly. Some of the others I had a heckuva time getting the studs to line up the the holes in the dash.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Is this the place you guys are talking about? pg 23
http://www.scribd.com/full/17608177?...qy43h7a9pmdutn

out of orange ca?
direct dashes sounded like you had to be a dealer when I went to their site.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Yes you do we are dealers for Dashes Direct. They make two types the OEM style witch can be dyed or in black.

or the ones precolored with original style steel inserts in black ,green ,bright blue,saddle, red or light saddle

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

What's the difference between the OEM and the others -quality and fit?

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I bought a black one, I cannot attest to the colored ones as far as matching the OEM color. It looks just like my OEM one...except it doesn't have any cracks in it :lol:

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I actually just wanted to know if the one you bought fit and looked like the one in the pics which is an original. The reason I asked is because all the ones I've seen have been sorta flimsy. A buddy bought one some years ago and after a couple of years you could see waves on top and it seemed flatter than original pads. It wasn't rounded and smooth.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I got one from LMC about 10 years ago, i didn't notice it right away untill after i had it all bolted up but looking thru the windshield you could see where it was trimmed back a little too far with a razor knife for about a 5" area, I'm assuming this was trimmed after the molding process. so you can see a small area where the white foam underneath shows thru.. I probably should have called them and made them exchange it but i was lazy.. :o)

Just saying this so ya look it over closely after ya get it and before ya bolt it up..

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I have not had mine in very long, but I know if you tighten the fastening nuts too much, you will warp it and it will cause it to have "waves" I have seen pics and read other threads discussing the issue, only go finger tight. I would go with the dash pad MBGmike sells, I know that dashes direct makes a quality item.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I bet that's probably what he did. It makes sense since I remember it was indented farily consistently and happened after it set out for a while. Thanks for info.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

The ones that don't have the metal insert in them are flimsy and do what you describe on your buddy's truck.

LockDoc

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Great info. I will be doing this soon.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Got mine from SOKY Classics....fit really well and looks nice...Too bad you don't need a black one...I have an extra..got 2 by mistake....

On edit: This is by no means a "FOR SALE" post.....I intend to keep the extra as a spare...just in case.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I bought mine from Truck and Car shop in Orange, CA. I had to elongate (slot) the holes in my dash to get it to fit.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

The Truck Shop sells them for an excellent price at just under $50...LMC is charging $79.95 for the basic repop and as much as $449.95 for the TMI Pro Classic XR, thats going to be your "best" pad. ClassicParts.com has the standard repop for $64.95 and an ABS colored cover for $84.95...I bought mine from ClassicParts.com years ago for $49.95, the fit was descent, they did have the metal ribbon and you still have to be very careful tightening those nuts. Manes has the same repops for $79.95..Truck Shop wins...;)

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Mine came from Classic Muscle and was a Dashes Direct. I used NyLok nuts so I could control the amount of pressure on the pad, worked out fine, no ripples

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I need a black one.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I just tried an "OER" brand from Summit. Mine is black. Looks well made but I haven't installed yet so can't speak to fitment. I needed some small parts so threw this on the order so that I got to the $100 free shipping. However, they tacked on an $8 non standard package fee. First time I have had that I think.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I had the same problem with the Saddle dash pad I installed in a Blazer. I think the Counter Parts dash pads are the issue. I'll only use Dashes Direct/OER dash pads from now on.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I too have ordered the Dashes Direct/OER dash pads fro Summit Racing. Add a couple more parts for the $100 free shipping and handling and all they will charge is the $8 for the "oversized package". They've been doing that for at least the last 3-4 years.

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

Guys, this is not a for sale thread. If you have one for sale please post it on the parts board and give FRCvette first chance at it....

Thanks,
LockDoc

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

LMC worked for me last week

Re: Best aftermarket dash pad?
 

I like the TMI brand pad that matches their interior packages-----But, I wouldn't pay the price for one. I think most aftermarket pads are pretty much the same.