The new 5.0 Resto 79-86 Dash Pad, not the best for concours

[rnjstel]

Hi,

Just wanted to give everyone an FYI on the 79-86 Dash Pad (LRS-04282B) in case they need one their 4 eye.

First off the color is dead on, fit is good but finsih leaves some to be desired.

It would seem that the injection mold is sloppy around the lower section of the center speaker grill. It is the complete assembly like the original, but does not use a hard fibourus plastic backbone with the covering. The entire assembly is a urethane mold and is about 5-7lbs heavier. It does have some waviesness in the pour.

It is great to have a new dash pad (I dont like overlays) but definitely not oem level finish.

But, for 189.00 not a bad deal to get rid of the cracks without utilzing the overlay.

I can post pics if anyone is interested

[negusm]

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13390&highlight=nos+pad

Here is a thread where I compared repro vs NOS.

Yes, they are nice...not perfect and worth ~$180.

If you want perfect restoration, you need to find an OEM (~$450 NOS) one for a perfect fit.

-Mike

[irvin]

ppi lists ford oem for 260.00 under its mustang interior-
exterior section.--Irv
[perfomancepartsinc.com]
talk to jim-been super helpful to me

[negusm]

ppi lists ford oem for 260.00 under its mustang interior-
exterior section.--Irv
[perfomancepartsinc.com]
talk to jim-been super helpful to me

Yep, that's a good price. I wonder what colors he has....I'm betting no Charcoal ones...

Still though, for $150 less than what I paid for my NOS charcoal pad, I would paint one.

-Mike

[rnjstel]

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13390&highlight=nos+pad

Here is a thread where I compared repro vs NOS.

Yes, they are nice...not perfect and worth ~$180.

If you want perfect restoration, you need to find an OEM (~$450 NOS) one for a perfect fit.

-Mike

Thanks.. It is good for the 180 and does the job on the car but, I think I will still try to find an OEM pad

[irvin]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

[irvin]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

[negusm]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

Blue is about the best color to dye charcoal grey. If done right, there is no reason it wouldn't be just as good as a NOS charcoal one.

-Mike

[negusm]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

Blue is about the best color to dye charcoal grey. If done right, there is no reason it wouldn't be just as good as a NOS charcoal one.

-Mike

[BetterDays]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

Blue is about the best color to dye charcoal grey. If done right, there is no reason it wouldn't be just as good as a NOS charcoal one.

-Mike

Why is blue the best?
I have a blue one in GREAT SHAPE that I am planning to dye black (when that time comes)

[BetterDays]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

Blue is about the best color to dye charcoal grey. If done right, there is no reason it wouldn't be just as good as a NOS charcoal one.

-Mike

Why is blue the best?
I have a blue one in GREAT SHAPE that I am planning to dye black (when that time comes)

[negusm]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

Blue is about the best color to dye charcoal grey. If done right, there is no reason it wouldn't be just as good as a NOS charcoal one.

-Mike

Why is blue the best?
I have a blue one in GREAT SHAPE that I am planning to dye black (when that time comes)

You don't need quite so much paint as the blue color is closest to grey. If it happens to get scrathed, I'd rather have a bit of blue show through instead of red or tan.

-Mike

[negusm]

jim told me they are blue . will grt me a part # today.--Irv

Blue is about the best color to dye charcoal grey. If done right, there is no reason it wouldn't be just as good as a NOS charcoal one.

-Mike

Why is blue the best?
I have a blue one in GREAT SHAPE that I am planning to dye black (when that time comes)

You don't need quite so much paint as the blue color is closest to grey. If it happens to get scrathed, I'd rather have a bit of blue show through instead of red or tan.

-Mike

[irvin]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

[irvin]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

[negusm]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

DOH! That means that one mounting point is wrong for 83-86 cars. Not a biggie since you can notch the pad to make it fit but you cannot screw down that location either.

-Mike

[negusm]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

DOH! That means that one mounting point is wrong for 83-86 cars. Not a biggie since you can notch the pad to make it fit but you cannot screw down that location either.

-Mike

[irvin]

where is this mounting point located?

[irvin]

where is this mounting point located?

[negusm]

where is this mounting point located?

This is a picture of a 1979 NOS dash (top one) and a 1985-86 NOS dash (bottom). Look at the three tabs above where the gauge cluster would be. The middle tab was moved in 82 or 83 to the right. You would have to notch the pad to allow it to sit down around the middle tab or snap off the tab and/or glue it in the 1979 location. My vote would be to notch the pad.

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Parts/1979_vs%201985_Dash_Hulls_Front.jpg

[negusm]

where is this mounting point located?

This is a picture of a 1979 NOS dash (top one) and a 1985-86 NOS dash (bottom). Look at the three tabs above where the gauge cluster would be. The middle tab was moved in 82 or 83 to the right. You would have to notch the pad to allow it to sit down around the middle tab or snap off the tab and/or glue it in the 1979 location. My vote would be to notch the pad.

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Parts/1979_vs%201985_Dash_Hulls_Front.jpg

[Puter]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

DOH! That means that one mounting point is wrong for 83-86 cars. Not a biggie since you can notch the pad to make it fit but you cannot screw down that location either.

-Mike

You say the notch moved in 82 or 83? My 84 is like the 79 above including the part in the middle where I have a shaft radio. I bought this car from the first owner and I know the dash was not replaced. It's build date is 9/83 according to the body tag.

[Puter]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

DOH! That means that one mounting point is wrong for 83-86 cars. Not a biggie since you can notch the pad to make it fit but you cannot screw down that location either.

-Mike

You say the notch moved in 82 or 83? My 84 is like the 79 above including the part in the middle where I have a shaft radio. I bought this car from the first owner and I know the dash was not replaced. It's build date is 9/83 according to the body tag.

[negusm]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

DOH! That means that one mounting point is wrong for 83-86 cars. Not a biggie since you can notch the pad to make it fit but you cannot screw down that location either.

-Mike

You say the notch moved in 82 or 83? My 84 is like the 79 above including the part in the middle where I have a shaft radio. I bought this car from the first owner and I know the dash was not replaced. It's build date is 9/83 according to the body tag.

84s had the post style radio, that is true. I am not sure when the middle dash pad mounting tab moved.

You're sure that the middle tab to mount the dash pad is DIRECTLY over the steering column and not off to the right like the later ones?

There were other changes along the way too. They changed the glove box size and the older dashes had a bit of a different "angle" to them. Its hard to describe but their profile was shifted a bit within the car. They also had a deeper grain texture.

When all these changes occured I don't know 100%.

-Mike

[negusm]

they are the D9ZZ # according to ppi.

DOH! That means that one mounting point is wrong for 83-86 cars. Not a biggie since you can notch the pad to make it fit but you cannot screw down that location either.

-Mike

You say the notch moved in 82 or 83? My 84 is like the 79 above including the part in the middle where I have a shaft radio. I bought this car from the first owner and I know the dash was not replaced. It's build date is 9/83 according to the body tag.

84s had the post style radio, that is true. I am not sure when the middle dash pad mounting tab moved.

You're sure that the middle tab to mount the dash pad is DIRECTLY over the steering column and not off to the right like the later ones?

There were other changes along the way too. They changed the glove box size and the older dashes had a bit of a different "angle" to them. Its hard to describe but their profile was shifted a bit within the car. They also had a deeper grain texture.

When all these changes occured I don't know 100%.

-Mike

[Puter]

84s had the post style radio, that is true. I am not sure when the middle dash pad mounting tab moved.

You're sure that the middle tab to mount the dash pad is DIRECTLY over the steering column and not off to the right like the later ones?


I checked it before I posted the reply and even checked again this morning in case I was stupid. Yes, directly above. I have had the gauges cover out many times and that is why just look at the pictures had me scratching my head.

It appears in the pictures that the vents on the passenger side are a little different as well.

Perhaps that truly is an 85-86 dash. Yet, as you know, there was the release in mid 84.

[Puter]

84s had the post style radio, that is true. I am not sure when the middle dash pad mounting tab moved.

You're sure that the middle tab to mount the dash pad is DIRECTLY over the steering column and not off to the right like the later ones?


I checked it before I posted the reply and even checked again this morning in case I was stupid. Yes, directly above. I have had the gauges cover out many times and that is why just look at the pictures had me scratching my head.

It appears in the pictures that the vents on the passenger side are a little different as well.

Perhaps that truly is an 85-86 dash. Yet, as you know, there was the release in mid 84.

[negusm]

It appears in the pictures that the vents on the passenger side are a little different as well.

I think you are seeing the "profile difference" I mentioned. The vents looked about the same to me but the dashes when sitting on the floor do not sit the same way. The early dash's top sits closer to the floor.

The lower dash was marked "85" on it and I assume that to mean the year is was made. It was identical to the dash I removed from my car.

-Mike

[negusm]

It appears in the pictures that the vents on the passenger side are a little different as well.

I think you are seeing the "profile difference" I mentioned. The vents looked about the same to me but the dashes when sitting on the floor do not sit the same way. The early dash's top sits closer to the floor.

The lower dash was marked "85" on it and I assume that to mean the year is was made. It was identical to the dash I removed from my car.

-Mike

[Rbuckley]

Where did you get those dashes...i was assuming that you were talking about the dash pad with the speakers..but seeing your picture I am a bit confused...I am looking fro one of those dashes in grey...where did you find it? It looks new...

[negusm]

Where did you get those dashes...i was assuming that you were talking about the dash pad with the speakers..but seeing your picture I am a bit confused...I am looking fro one of those dashes in grey...where did you find it? It looks new...

To recap:

We started out talking about dash pads...then I mentioned that the dashes and pads wre changed sometime before 1985 and posted a picture of a D9 (1979) NOS dash hull and an E5 (1985) NOS dash hull. They are NOS (New Old Stock) pieces that had never been on a car.

Daniel Carpenter Enterprises in Charlotte, NC had some of the 85 dashes....probably still do for $250 each.

The 1979 dash that I had was one I got from ebay....but later relisted it after I sourced the 1985 dash. If you ask around, you may come up with another one....but I wouldn't hold my breath. It will be much easier and cheaper to find a good dash out of a junkyard car. Contact V8Only on this board. Supposedly he says he sees perfect dashes in the Junkyards of So-Cal all the time.

Depending on the car you have, you may want to look for a dash of the same year. I personally know they made a D9, E3 and E5 dash. It is also possible they made more changes and had a different dash for every year.

-Mike

[negusm]

Rbuckley, rereading your post, do not confuse the "color" with the year of manufacture. ALL dashes are a light crappy looking grey. They ALL were painted by Ford before being installed in a car. The grey they are molded in is NOT charcoal grey.

If you want the correct dash for your 85 you need the tan one. It is light grey underneath just like the 1979 one but has been painted tan. All Daniel Carpenter had was tan dashes when I went there to pick it up. He must have found a stock of tan NOS replacement dashes.

-Mike

[Rbuckley]

ok i understand...i got confused...i do know of a mustang only garveyard here in Rhode Island that has 64 1/2 - 04 mustangs of all types and i am sure i can find a decent one for my 85. Mine is cracked from the previous owner ripping out the stock radio and in the process destroying the bay and other parts. If there was a reproduction of it or a NOS supply somewhere i would rather do that than digging through a j/y. If I cant find one then I will have to resort to the internet. Im just not at that part in the project yet. Thanks for the clarification.

[negusm]

Call Daniel Carpenter and ask if they have any 85-86 dash hulls.

They will be $250+shipping.

He had more when I got mine and I haven't seen him advertise them any further so I assume he still has some.

Daniel Carpenter Mustang Reproductions
Daniel Carpenter
4310 Concord Pkwy.
SouthConcord, NC 28027
Telephone: 704-788-7875
Facsimile: 704-784-4118

-Mike