Dash pad replacement what's the latest opinion please

[ddx77]

I am looking for a good replacement grey dash for my 85 GT.

So I did a search and found this thread: http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...Gen-3-Dash-Pad

It's a little older but I want to make sure I have understood it correctly. Seems the Scott Drake one is the best out of all the options - https://www.americanmuscle.com/charcoal-dash-pad.html from what I read. Correct?

I have had a dashes direct dash pad and thought it was pretty good but a little floppy (for lack of better word).

So sorry to rehash an old subject but I just need to know my best avenue.

Thank you,
Drew

[wraithracing]

The best replacement dash pad I have installed as of yet is this one ( I believe! ). https://dashesdirect.com/product/197...tion-dash-pad/

It was a Dashes Direct and it was the the more expensive unit. The Urethane unit was CRAP! It had more waves than most beaches. Fit was terrible and it was heavy as HECK! The good Dashes Direct had a Fiberglass/Plastic core with foam and then wrapped in Vinyl almost identical to the OEM dash pad.

The Scott Drake unit https://lmr.com/item/LRS-04282AD/mus...on-black-79-86 says it has a metal core and foam reinforced, but the Molded Urethane construction gives me reasons to be concerned. It might just fine and save you a few dollars, but the previous dash pads that were made with/out of urethane were all heavy, wavy, and didn't fit well at all.

[KevinK]

I thought the last one I bought was the newer Dashes Direct. It had a sheet metal frame that was poorly aligned. I did a write up here someplace. Got it from Summit I believe. Not much meat on it to support the screws.

My next one will be a reskinned original.

[Gemini1999]

Yeah, if you have the "floppy" dash pad, that's the less expensive urethane unit. I mistakenly bought one on eBay from a seller claiming it to be OEM. I got my money back, but he didn't want the pad back either. I still have it in the box in the garage. I haven't decided what to do with it. It's heavy, floppy and will sag if it was installed.

[ddx77]

Thank you Trey.

You're right that dashes direct is an expensive piece.

The best replacement dash pad I have installed as of yet is this one ( I believe! ). https://dashesdirect.com/product/197...tion-dash-pad/

It was a Dashes Direct and it was the the more expensive unit. The Urethane unit was CRAP! It had more waves than most beaches. Fit was terrible and it was heavy as HECK! The good Dashes Direct had a Fiberglass/Plastic core with foam and then wrapped in Vinyl almost identical to the OEM dash pad.

The Scott Drake unit https://lmr.com/item/LRS-04282AD/mus...on-black-79-86 says it has a metal core and foam reinforced, but the Molded Urethane construction gives me reasons to be concerned. It might just fine and save you a few dollars, but the previous dash pads that were made with/out of urethane were all heavy, wavy, and didn't fit well at all.

[wraithracing]

Thank you Trey.

You're right that dashes direct is an expensive piece.

I don't disagree that its expensive, but as usual you get what you pay for. Unfortunately the dash pad is such a visible part in the interior, that IMHO it's not worth cheaping out on the pad. The other pads fit so poorly and are so wavy that you will HATE it. My thought process is that I will either use the hard plastic silicone on cap (used to be around $80 now its $125+) if I don't want to spend the big bucks. It fits pretty well, most people will never notice and it saves $$. Otherwise your options are the Dashes Direct with the core and vinyl wrapped or a refurbished OEM pad that is @ $600+.

Here is the Dashes Direct at a slightly better price. https://www.npdlink.com/product/dash.../173392/150502

Here is another brand that I believe we used on the Saleen clone. Color was WAY OFF, but the overall fit and finish was pretty good. Had to drill a couple of the mounting holes, but overall not a bad choice if you want to save the extra $60+ https://www.npdlink.com/product/dash.../181637/150502 Again this was @3 years ago, so no idea what if any changes or improvements that may have or many not have been made. Order at your own risk. Good Luck!

[MIKE'SVO86]

I've just done the cap that last couple of times. I had a version 2 of the dashes direct pad. It was floppy and wavy. That made me go with the caps. The newer versions might be better now.

Drew, let us know which direction you take and your input on the product.

[KevinK]

There can't be that many versions out there. I'm thinking 3 and one of them is probably not being made any more. Just guess.

[wraithracing]

There can't be that many versions out there. I'm thinking 3 and one of them is probably not being made any more. Just guess.

I believe there are at least 3 versions right now. Just Dashes offers two different versions and then there is at least one more that is made by someone else. That might be the Scott Drake version, but I am not 100%. I will probably have to get a new dash pad for my 82 GT, so I will most likely go with the expensive Just Dashes since my interior is black. I either won't have to dye it or at least it will already be close in color. My PC has the cap on it, will need a new pad for my 82 RS dyed Wedgewood Blue, and my SVO has a very nice OEM pad that hopefully stays that way.

[4-barrel Mike]

FWIW: Instagram ad from @dashesdirect "Labor Day Sale 20% off storewide ends 9/7"

Mike

[JTurbo]

The pictures on line look like most of them are poorly constructed with floppy / wavy leading edge (the edge you look at when you're driving the car). For the money, I'd just go with a plastic cover.
My SVO needs a dash pad. I've been holding out for a while now, but eventually I think I'm going with the cover again (used one in a previous car). My $0.02

[wraithracing]

The pictures on line look like most of them are poorly constructed with floppy / wavy leading edge (the edge you look at when you're driving the car). For the money, I'd just go with a plastic cover.
My SVO needs a dash pad. I've been holding out for a while now, but eventually I think I'm going with the cover again (used one in a previous car). My $0.02

Agreed, but I will say on the Dashes Direct website if you look closely you can see they used the exact same picture for both dash pads offered. I will guarantee the picture is of the urethane wavy/floppy one and not the vinyl covered with a core. The Dashes Direct vinyl was not perfect, but it was not wavy and we were able to get a good fit using the pad. Actually installed them in two different Mustangs and both worked out just fine. Little TLC here and there, tweaking, etc and they fit pretty well and looked good. Just my $.02

[ddx77]

Will do Mike, I will look into the caps as well. There was actually one on the car when I bought and it took me a while to realize.

Thanks for everyone's input, I will post when I have figured it out.

Thanks, Drew

I've just done the cap that last couple of times. I had a version 2 of the dashes direct pad. It was floppy and wavy. That made me go with the caps. The newer versions might be better now.

Drew, let us know which direction you take and your input on the product.

[webestang]

I did the cap from CJ Pony. Just left it black and very happy with it.

[Basin Motorsports]

I just ordered my 2nd Dashes Direct dash pad from NPD. I had a black one in my '80 coupe, which was good. The fit was good and I never had any problems with it. I just received a Dark Charcoal version this week for my '86 project. I haven't installed it, but I have laid it on the dash to check the fit. Everything looks good and won't need a lot of work to make it fit well. They get my vote, and I'd buy another in the future based on the two I have had thus far.