I have began looking into dash restoration companies. My folks used one way back, which is long out of business. My dad introduced me to the idea because He is going to have the dash in his Toyota pickup restored (until I showed that business was done for).
This place in Cali called just dash seems promising, but also sounds expensive.
Google yielded a few results of similar business across the u.s, but I am curious what you guys think about this.
Keep in mind I am in no hurry to do this, my dash is already cracked and I have other things to spend the money on. Plus waiting might end up with a stock uncracked OEM dash popping up somewhere.
Depending on what you're going for, I would recommend installing a dash cap. I put one in my car not too long ago. It looks great. If you're building a show car, then I guess it wouldn't work. If you look close, you can see the edges around a couple of the openings. Unless you're looking for them, it really does look good.
Having a dash restored by one of the companies you mentioned is expensive,but if you plan to keep the car forever,probably worth it. The cap is a good idea as stated above. Not a perfect fix,but if done right,99% of people won't ever know the difference. If you find a replacement dash with no cracks as i did recently,it's a coin toss. It'll probably crack eventually,it's over 20 years old.The resto dashes will last years and years.
I come from a family of car guys, mostly the kind who noticed if you rubbed patterns into the velour seat (yes, big mistake)
I'm afraid I would notice a dashcap, along with my entire family. Plus this car is very sentimental, so it wont be going anywhere.
I know its expensive, Im guessing between 800-1300$. But didnt know if anyone had experience with a company like this/ thought it was a bad idea.
My uncle had the dash in his '71 Hemi RoadRunner done by Just dashes and it was as good or better overall than factory. They do a lot of the restoration dashes for people.
If you need a new dash assembly either let me know or Hcor (John) know. If he doesnt have one I can get him the one you need (correct colors). I know of a few yards that have cars with perfect and soft dashes.
how much would something like that cost? I assume this would involve me driving to Pa?
A good non cracked complete dash runs $150. they can be shipped but it isn't cheap.
Around here?? Don't tease me, I'll be off to the junkyards. :hick:
Seriously, last time I was at a local yard, the TBird/Cougar stuff was non-existent. I wanted to make another run before it got cold but I may be too late now.
I got my dash for $40.00....that included a 3G alternator,some misc. wiring, a spare tire cover from the '86 Bird, and a compass mirror. Good deal for me.
If I had the cash,I would've had mine restored by Just dashes,but it is expensive. When they are done,you probably won't ever have to worry about cracks again. With a crack free,OEM dash, it's still over 20 years old,and the chance of cracks coming along pretty soon are pretty high.
EZ Pull N Save in New Ringgold. Plus a few other yards.
Of course I solved my cracked dash problem with a Mustang dash swap! I was surprised to discover with the dash being black on top that it is in excellent shape and very pliable from a 13 year old car that was sitting exposed bare to the elements when I found the dash in the salvage yard.
Every single Fox Tbird dash I have come across has been toast. I did find a pretty good 85-88 styled one with just cracks near the defroster outlets. I guess if it was important enough I could have found a better Tbird dash but I like the Mustang dash swap too much now to switch back. I really got caught up in the idea of using the Mustang dash because it was different and an interesting constructive challenge for me. Then there was the added bonus that the rounded styling fit in perfect with the aero look of the exterior while also looking like an evolved look of classic 1958-63 Tbird designs which in fact influenced the dual cowl look of the original Mustang in the first place.
Of course I always encourage the best restoration possible if you want to keep it original and correct looking. The dashes are the hardest to get restored right so it's worth the extra $$$ for a good restoration of an original dash, especially considering how great your Bird looks in your sig pics!
For me the good Tbird/Cougar stuff is only existent when I am not looking for something anymore, like months later when the local yards are full of like cars again.
If you treat it with vasoline and heat it, the dash with become soft and plyable again like new. The last 6 cars I had all had/have perfect dashes. $40 is a great deal Vin, I would be hard pressed to even pull a dash for that though.
It's not too bad when you pull them.You can cut everything in the harnesses.It's the prep and re-installation that gets me.
Lol, nothing gets cut when we pull them, all parts are reused at some point, complete unbutchered wiring harnesses are getting hard to come by and bring a premium. I understang what you mean though, just busting you chops,lol
i agree totally about saving the parts,and if it were my parts car,I would have,but,at the yard,the car isn't going to last long,so I did what i had to do. It was an '86 CFI V-6 car. Mildly rough exterior,mint interior. Taupe seats with virtually no signs of wear,great carpet,too.
I hear ya on the saving parts where you can...the jy TC I got the hood, wheels and some other bits from...some sumbitch had came along, pulled the headliner down at the viros, trashing it. The rest of it was in mint shape...I woulda brought it home had it not been shiznitted up by some jerk.
Oh well, guess I'm not meant to have a nice Thunderbird.
dash restoration in Washington emailed me a quote for $575 plus shipping, tax free and color matching included. I think this is a pretty fair price, I just wonder how much shipping would be, and why I cant manage to find a shop here in Ohio that I can drive too...
Shipping both ways?
yeah, well my sister works at ups and can hook me up if I can provide an approx weight and size.