Dashes Direct Gen 3 Dash Pad

[bbristor]

A few weeks ago I posted in the Restoration section about accidentally breaking my OEM dash pad while trying to prep it for dye. After much looking and debate I made the leap and spent the $300 on the Gen 3 Dash from Dashes Direct. I have yet to see any review of one yet so I will be posting on here to let you know how it turns out.

Here is my original thread:

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...ad-Replacement

[bbristor]

Okay, so out of the box I am initially very Impressed with the Gen 3 Dash! It looks exactly like the OEM dash so far. The shape, including the "hump" are all correct. The speaker grill holes are also correct. It is also very sturdy and not flimsy like the past Gen 1 and 2 model was said to be. The ONLY complaints, if you would even call it that, is that none of the holes are pre drilled. I really don't mind that too much though. The other thing is that the mounts on the underside are not made of plastic like the OEM dash and are made of the softer vinyl instead, so those are a little flimsy. Other than that it seems to look great so far. I will be dyeing the dash regatta blue hopefully tomorrow and I will post pictures of how that turns out as well as how it fits once installed.

[bbristor]

Here are some pictures of the Gen 3 out of the box compared to the OEM.

[bbristor]

Here you can note the differences in the clips on the bottom.

[tbirdman]

Thanks very much for the review and the pics! That pad looks much better than the last gen dash pad that they had out. I think the major complaint with the last gen dash pads were the edge lines above the instrument cluster and the bezel above the glove box. I would be interested to hear and see what it looks like once you get it installed and it's had some time to sit in the car.

[wraithracing]

Looks pretty good in the comparison photos. I am interested to see how the fit and finish are inside the car. I hope it fits as well as it looks.

Let us know once you get it installed!

Trey

[RED 78']

I would glue some 1/16" plastic to the back of the vinyl to reinforce the screw holes.
Thanks for the review.

[Dean_T]

Looks very promising! Fortunately, a few other Fox chassis use the Mustang style dash pad. Woot!

[chads84svo]

Looks nice! Wish mine in my SVo looked that good.I bought the one for 200$ and it is garbage.its all flimsy.its got a hump in the middle of it like it got folded in half.and the speaker area has a square imprint around it.ya.......not good. Let me know how it fits,I'm most likely gonna get one.my interior is sweet except my 200$dollar dash pad.and when I told LMR they said sorry..........they are all like that.

[bluesfannoz]

So how does it look in the car?

[84GT350CONV]

Not bad. Wish I knew about it before. The dash mounts you mentioned could be a concern, but if you are able to reinforce it that would be cool. I was able to save my original dash by repairing the mounting points and compensate for the center amplifier grille damage by pouring clear epoxy through the holes on the back side. Don't think that original dash will last forever so it's nice to know that a fairly decent replacement is out there now.

[JACook]

Did you happen to take any photos of the plastic shell underneath? Is it still just a formed piece
of ABS plastic? Or did they switch to a more stable thermoplastic?

[86GTdriver]

Did you happen to take any photos of the plastic shell underneath? Is it still just a formed piece
of ABS plastic? Or did they switch to a more stable thermoplastic?

+1 I am wanting to know this too. I'm hoping it's worth the $300 price tag Dashes Direct wants for it. I noticed as well it only comes in black, but I guess that's ok so it can be dyed? painted? with the same colors as all the other interior trim.

[84GT350CONV]

+1 I am wanting to know this too. I'm hoping it's worth the $300 price tag Dashes Direct wants for it. I noticed as well it only comes in black, but I guess that's ok so it can be dyed? painted? with the same colors as all the other interior trim.

You can spray a dye any color on it you like. Clean it well and apply an adhesion promoter before you spray it a different color.

[bbristor]

Sorry this took so long to get back to. I was having a hard time getting the main dash reinstalled and get all of the wiring harness correct before I could go ahead and install the dash pad. I placed the dash in to do a test fit before I go ahead and dye the pad blue to match. And yes, as 84GT350CONV stated, it can be dye it any color as long as the proper prep work is done. Even white will cover up the black. I am very pleased with the fit of the dash! Perfect alignment of the tabs and all of the edges look great. I replaced my stock dash speakers with some Rockford Fosgate P-135's and I was a little worried they would be an issue because the tweeters do not sit flush and protrude slightly from the top and make contact with the dash pad. I honestly don't think the tabs will need any reinforcement, but putting some thin plastic or something on the back as mentioned in a comment above wouldn't be a bad idea. Let me know what you think.

[conmech]

Thanx for an in depth review. What are your plans for color? Leave as is or?...

[Gemini1999]

The pad itself looks great, but it looks like it sits a bit high on the ends and in the middle where it meets the dash itself, but maybe that's due to it not actually being installed...

[bbristor]

Right now my plans are to dye it Regatta Blue to match the dash. My friend that helped my install the dash was there for the test fit and said he didn't mind it black, as the dash has some black in it as well as my instrument cluster bezel (not pictured) is black. What do you all think? The gap you are talking about may very well be because it isn't secured with hardware. It seems to fit perfect to me. just like the original.

[Gemini1999]

I would go ahead and dye it to match the interior.

[conmech]

Finishing pics are a must!!

[tbirdman]

Yeah, I'm with Gemini1999 on this one. The tu-tone look in an interior reminds me of a "toy" kind of look.

I would go ahead and dye it to match the interior.

[dburdyshaw]

Looks very good to me as well ---- though I'm in the "Dye it Blue" club.

[conmech]

X3 for the blue.

[Travis T]

Blue definitely. Otherwise it looks like you just stuck a pad from another car in it.

[STL79Coupe]

What is the pricing on this dash pad?