Dash pad source.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Northern Indiana USA
I beg to differ, sir! A variation.
Looking Back: 1961-63 Ford F-100 "Unibody" Pickups - PickupTrucks.com News
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 9
From: Mims, FL
The dash pad covers are an entirely different animal. These are not complete dash pads; they are covers that fit over your existing dash. They are glued on, and the two problems I have with these are that the speaker shape is totally incorrect, and you will have to actually cut the cover off if you ever need to remove your dash pad, effectively ruining it. <snip>
I do get your point that it isn't perfection in the restored sense, but for a driver they are a great solution. I think this is the one I have:
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
They are a good choice for some people, especially in context of what good dash pads are costing per this thread.
Great information regardless; I will reference this thread when looking at that kind of a project.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
What is the paint code for Harbor Blue? Is that the sort of dark blue like in my photo? Is my '82s interior color Harbor Blue?
I couldn't find the color chart on the SEM website - yet. Need to figure out what category to look in.
Also, SEM has a clear UV protectant. Would that be desirable on a dash pad?
I couldn't find the color chart on the SEM website - yet. Need to figure out what category to look in.
Also, SEM has a clear UV protectant. Would that be desirable on a dash pad?
As for caps vs pads, Dad's truck will get a new pad, but Big Blue will probably use a cap. The 1982 Explorer I bought had a cap on it and I didn't know it until the very first GTG when Paul/Rogue Wulf spotted it. And even then, if the pad and cap were painted the same SEM color it would be hard to spot.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I beg to differ, sir! A variation. 
You can beg to differ, but I know the facts.
Looking Back: 1961-63 Ford F-100 "Unibody" Pickups - PickupTrucks.com News
You can beg to differ, but I know the facts.
Looking Back: 1961-63 Ford F-100 "Unibody" Pickups - PickupTrucks.com News
People call these trucks Uni's, but they are not a unit body! Ford referred to them as integral bodies.
The only difference between 1961/63 Uni's and other pickups is: Uni's have their Styleside bed welded to the cab.
Otherwise, they are body on frame construction as is every other F100/350 pickup.
Mid-year 1963: Ford cancelled the Uni's. When cargo was in the bed and Uni's rounded corners, the frame flexed...cargo shifted, the doors could pop open!
Some people fell out of the cabs, some were then run over by traffic. Not pleasant! Lap seat belts were optional, so most 1961/66 trucks didn't have them.
Coupla years ago, FTE split the 1961/63 Uni's from the 1961/66 forum. Most members of the 1961/66 forum said this was a dumb idea, and we still think so.
fabmandeluxe was the moderator, said he thought it was a good idea.
Well, 'ol fabman is now holding court on another truck site and one of the first things I asked him was, did he really think this was a good idea?
No!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
I have a dash pad cover on my '81; It was on my other truck when I bought it (and the pad under it was perfect), so I transferred it to the '81 to cover up the badly cracked original. Mine was not glued onto the '85, and it's not glued to the '81. I have windows down including a slider in the back, and have no problems with it lifting up with the airflow or any other time.
https://www.carid.com/1980-ford-f-15...-53339013.html
If it's not glued on, how does the dash pad cap stay on the dash pad?
I do get your point that it isn't perfection in the restored sense, but for a driver they are a great solution. I think this is the one I have:
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
They are a good choice for some people, especially in context of what good dash pads are costing per this thread.
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
They are a good choice for some people, especially in context of what good dash pads are costing per this thread.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
That looks good.
It appears that Dashes Direct have improved the dash pad vinyl to more closely resemble the original texture of the stock dash pad than what they were using a few years ago.
Did you notice if the Dashes Direct dash pad was "floppier" than the original Ford dash pad? Were there any other differences?
It appears that Dashes Direct have improved the dash pad vinyl to more closely resemble the original texture of the stock dash pad than what they were using a few years ago.
Did you notice if the Dashes Direct dash pad was "floppier" than the original Ford dash pad? Were there any other differences?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Pic doesn't appear when post is quoted. TUP: 1/2 ounce tube of Touch Up Paint.
Exterior Paint Colors: 32 - 9A / Body: CB4
32 = Light Blue (TUP: AL81-5829-B) / 9A = White (TUP: AL81-1619-B).
CB4: CB = Blue Cloth & Vinyl / 4 = Styleside Pickup.
2nd digit of Body code: B = Dark Harbor Blue (M4J-4154-H = 13 ounce 'spray bomb'). I/P = Instrument Panel / U/P = Upper Instrument Panel / I/C = other Interior Components.
Exterior Paint Colors: 32 - 9A / Body: CB4
32 = Light Blue (TUP: AL81-5829-B) / 9A = White (TUP: AL81-1619-B).
CB4: CB = Blue Cloth & Vinyl / 4 = Styleside Pickup.
2nd digit of Body code: B = Dark Harbor Blue (M4J-4154-H = 13 ounce 'spray bomb'). I/P = Instrument Panel / U/P = Upper Instrument Panel / I/C = other Interior Components.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 9
From: Mims, FL
All of the ones I have seen are glued on. In fact, a tube of silicone adhesive is supplied with the dash pad cap for installation:
https://www.carid.com/1980-ford-f-15...-53339013.html
If it's not glued on, how does the dash pad cap stay on the dash pad?
https://www.carid.com/1980-ford-f-15...-53339013.html
If it's not glued on, how does the dash pad cap stay on the dash pad?
The link you provide shows them for ~$100 more than the LMC version that I linked. Dunno why the price difference, but maybe the higher price makes em fancier in some sort of way and includes more shifty behavior?
Not a real good pic because the sun was straight overhead and shining in the windshield, but should show that it sits on there fine:
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 9
From: Southwest Ohio
That looks good.
It appears that Dashes Direct have improved the dash pad vinyl to more closely resemble the original texture of the stock dash pad than what they were using a few years ago.
Did you notice if the Dashes Direct dash pad was "floppier" than the original Ford dash pad? Were there any other differences?
It appears that Dashes Direct have improved the dash pad vinyl to more closely resemble the original texture of the stock dash pad than what they were using a few years ago.
Did you notice if the Dashes Direct dash pad was "floppier" than the original Ford dash pad? Were there any other differences?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 5
From: Orlando area
It was not as stiff as my original but the original was so hard it was literally crumbling to dust. The new pad was a pain to get the clips on and the clip position is important to keep from getting that "sagging" look. The clips have to be seated at the right depth. The new pad did have a hard shell support throughout and was also reinforced with metal in the key areas. The grain was identical to the original as well. I believe it was money well spent.
I'm not sure what you mean by "clips have to be seated at the right depth". How is the right depth determined?
Maybe I just need to buy my dash pad then I'll see what your talking about.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JackErnie
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Mar 23, 2015 07:17 AM
Sw1tchfoot
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Oct 8, 2010 02:28 PM
twinpeaks
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Mar 23, 2010 06:12 PM
JEGuzzardi
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jul 14, 2003 01:47 AM