Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: thomashall201 on October 25, 2012, 09:52:15 PM
Post by: thomashall201 on October 25, 2012, 09:52:15 PM
Now that I have my dash removed to replace my heatercore, I figured it is a good time to look at replaceing my dash pad on my 87 Bird. It finally cracked last year. This is the worst thing on my car and I am willing to pay a premium if I can get something that looks good. Any suggestions
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: 88turbo on October 25, 2012, 09:56:10 PM
Post by: 88turbo on October 25, 2012, 09:56:10 PM
other than a carpet cover, this is your only option unless you find someone that will reform your dash.
http://www.dashcaps.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16977&cat=318&page=1
http://www.dashcaps.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16977&cat=318&page=1
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: thomashall201 on October 25, 2012, 10:06:12 PM
Post by: thomashall201 on October 25, 2012, 10:06:12 PM
I have seen these on line but can't find pictures of it on a vehicle. I suppose finding a used OE dash in good shape is next to impossible
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: vinnietbird on October 25, 2012, 10:12:15 PM
Post by: vinnietbird on October 25, 2012, 10:12:15 PM
A used dash will probably crack eventually as well. It's still 25 years old. The dash caps actually look great once they are installed and done right. They can be sprayed to match the dash as well. Needs tpuppies and fitting, because everyone of our dashes will have minor fit differences. It's easy to do if you take your time.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: 88turbo on October 25, 2012, 10:44:40 PM
Post by: 88turbo on October 25, 2012, 10:44:40 PM
here is some good info that will help you.
http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/dashtop.html
http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/dashtop.html
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: 1BadBird on October 26, 2012, 06:45:23 AM
Post by: 1BadBird on October 26, 2012, 06:45:23 AM
Thunderjet302 has a dash cap/cover. There is a pics somewhere on here.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: Turbojet on October 26, 2012, 11:16:27 PM
Post by: Turbojet on October 26, 2012, 11:16:27 PM
Here is a picture of my wife's dash with a cover on.
Had it painted the same as the original.
Had it painted the same as the original.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: Masejoer on October 26, 2012, 11:22:05 PM
Post by: Masejoer on October 26, 2012, 11:22:05 PM
Quote from: Turbojet;401364
Here is a picture of my wife's dash with a cover on.
Had it painted the same as the original.
Can you get a closeup of the texture? Preferably on the passenger side where the two meet? I assume it's far from the stock texture, which is what I hate about the cover I still have sitting in my attic.
Beautiful red interior ;)
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: Turbojet on October 27, 2012, 02:01:17 PM
Post by: Turbojet on October 27, 2012, 02:01:17 PM
Quote from: Seek;401366
Can you get a closeup of the texture? Preferably on the passenger side where the two meet? I assume it's far from the stock texture, which is what I hate about the cover I still have sitting in my attic.
Beautiful red interior ;)
Right now, the car is hibernating for the winter:D.
I don't know how well a picture will look in there, but if you still need one let me know.
Coverlay is the name of the cover I have and the texture looks like the original dash.
I had the dash, speaker grills, air ducts, and the middle plate all painted at the same time so there would be no color differences.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: Masejoer on October 27, 2012, 07:01:34 PM
Post by: Masejoer on October 27, 2012, 07:01:34 PM
Quote from: Turbojet;401395
Right now, the car is hibernating for the winter:D.
I don't know how well a picture will look in there, but if you still need one let me know.
Coverlay is the name of the cover I have and the texture looks like the original dash.
I had the dash, speaker grills, air ducts, and the middle plate all painted at the same time so there would be no color differences.
Here are pictures of the one I received years back. It has a VERY bad wrinkle texture. I decided that the cracked dash looked better than this hideous thing, even if I were to color match it. The OP may agree that they wouldn't want to pay $150 for something when there may be better products out there. I think pictures of yours from coverlay may help everyone.
(http://www.masejoer.com/Images/Thunderbird/Interior/Dash/dash1.jpg)
(http://www.masejoer.com/Images/Thunderbird/Interior/Dash/dash2.jpg)
(http://www.masejoer.com/Images/Thunderbird/Interior/Dash/dash3.jpg)
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: TOM Renzo on October 27, 2012, 07:30:34 PM
Post by: TOM Renzo on October 27, 2012, 07:30:34 PM
Here is mine for the midnighter. My buddy custom upholstered it.
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/009-5.jpg)
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/009-5.jpg)
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: BLeavitt23 on October 27, 2012, 11:33:33 PM
Post by: BLeavitt23 on October 27, 2012, 11:33:33 PM
A few people on the NATO board have the dashcaps one and I have heard nothing but good things about them if that makes any difference to you.:dunno:
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: flylear45 on October 28, 2012, 08:37:31 AM
Post by: flylear45 on October 28, 2012, 08:37:31 AM
The one I recently got (ebay seller) has that wrinkled texture. Doesn't bother me, though. I think it's much less noticeable on a black dash.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: cougarman on October 28, 2012, 09:30:50 AM
Post by: cougarman on October 28, 2012, 09:30:50 AM
Better than cracks....lol.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: cougarman on October 28, 2012, 09:31:15 AM
Post by: cougarman on October 28, 2012, 09:31:15 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;401417
Here is mine for the midnighter. My buddy custom upholstered it.
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/009-5.jpg)
Looks great Tom!!!!
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: KnightHawk on November 09, 2012, 12:04:05 AM
Post by: KnightHawk on November 09, 2012, 12:04:05 AM
Just realized from this thread the car I have.. Has one of these.. Maybe......
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: KnightHawk on November 09, 2012, 12:06:02 AM
Post by: KnightHawk on November 09, 2012, 12:06:02 AM
Bad angle, only pic I have atm.. Is that why my defroster vents on the sides aren't flush? Lol
(http://imageshack.us/a/img825/7556/img2266b.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/img2266b.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img825/7556/img2266b.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/img2266b.jpg/)
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 09, 2012, 11:10:11 PM
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 09, 2012, 11:10:11 PM
Mine looks pretty good. I forget where I got it from though. I think it was from dash caps.
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa33/thunderjet302/floor%20mats/DSCN2147.jpg)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa33/thunderjet302/DSCN2053.jpg)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa33/thunderjet302/floor%20mats/DSCN2147.jpg)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa33/thunderjet302/DSCN2053.jpg)
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 09, 2012, 11:13:06 PM
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 09, 2012, 11:13:06 PM
Quote from: Turbojet;401364
Here is a picture of my wife's dash with a cover on.
Had it painted the same as the original.
How is your leather so shiny? Mine is not anywhere near that bright, for lack of a better term. I leather condition once a year and it's never that shiny.
Title: Dash Pad/Cover Replacement
Post by: CatManDude on December 09, 2012, 02:10:36 PM
Post by: CatManDude on December 09, 2012, 02:10:36 PM
The dash caps are a good match, and you can order it already painted to match original, if you know the color. There is a fair amount of tpuppies needed for a perfect fit, so if you can install it while the dash is out it will help. In particular, the tpuppies will be around the speaker grills, defrost vents and the rectangular opening in the center for the light sensor cover. I trimmed a little too much around that light sensor and it cracked at the thinnest point. Otherwise, it's almost impossible to tell it's not stock (unless you know what you are looking for).