Dash Cover
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Dash Cover
Anyone installed an aftermarket dash cover? I'm trying to cover up / replace the cracked old dark green dash pad of my '73 F250. A new pad is out of my price range (from Dennis Carpenter or the like). I'd go with a carpet dash mat but it seems impossible to find one in dark green...
Raybuck Autobody Parts makes an ABS plastic dash cover, in dark green!, that you apply right over the original dash pad, for about a hundred bucks.
Ford F-Series Pickup, Bronco Custom Dash Covers
Anyone tried this or something similar?
Thanks
Raybuck Autobody Parts makes an ABS plastic dash cover, in dark green!, that you apply right over the original dash pad, for about a hundred bucks.
Ford F-Series Pickup, Bronco Custom Dash Covers
Anyone tried this or something similar?
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Hmmm, can't find anything on the Checker/Schucks/Kragen/O'Reilly website. Suppose I could hop into Kragen and see if they have anything.
I'd prefer the carpet cover option, since it's cheaper and less permanent, before I can find a full replacement dash. But the online carpet cover places don't seem to carry green...
I'd prefer the carpet cover option, since it's cheaper and less permanent, before I can find a full replacement dash. But the online carpet cover places don't seem to carry green...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
A dash cap, to make them look good takes some time and a little knowledge to install.
Don't glue it until you get it to fit as close as possible. ( It will not fit absolutely perfect)
First fit it to the old pad. Most don't go up against the face of the dash close enough. Take a box cutter and trim 1/2 inch off the edge of the old pad. Don't worry how much you cut off or how it looks because it will be covered. My pad was swelled on top where it had some deep cracks so I took a hack saw and cut the ridges off level with the rest of the pad.
Once you get it to fit within about a 1/8 of an inch gap maximum (That's about as good as you can get it and it will look good even if it doesn't fit tight) you should be good to glue.
Clean the old dash pad with alcohol until you can get it clean so the glue will stick.
Only put glue around the perimeter of the cap. If you put any glue in the middle it will wrinkle and bulge when the temperature gets hot.
I used a bunch of bungy cords and wood blocks to hold the cap in place while the glue set up. I hooked the bungys into the defrost vents to under the bottom of the metal dash. Hope this helps!!!
Don't glue it until you get it to fit as close as possible. ( It will not fit absolutely perfect)
First fit it to the old pad. Most don't go up against the face of the dash close enough. Take a box cutter and trim 1/2 inch off the edge of the old pad. Don't worry how much you cut off or how it looks because it will be covered. My pad was swelled on top where it had some deep cracks so I took a hack saw and cut the ridges off level with the rest of the pad.
Once you get it to fit within about a 1/8 of an inch gap maximum (That's about as good as you can get it and it will look good even if it doesn't fit tight) you should be good to glue.
Clean the old dash pad with alcohol until you can get it clean so the glue will stick.
Only put glue around the perimeter of the cap. If you put any glue in the middle it will wrinkle and bulge when the temperature gets hot.
I used a bunch of bungy cords and wood blocks to hold the cap in place while the glue set up. I hooked the bungys into the defrost vents to under the bottom of the metal dash. Hope this helps!!!
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Thanks
Is there a major quality difference between brands? I've found both Raybuck and DashTops.com have green, and there are probably more out there (but places like NPD don't have green). Is green uncommon?
Is there a major quality difference between brands? I've found both Raybuck and DashTops.com have green, and there are probably more out there (but places like NPD don't have green). Is green uncommon?
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Or has anyone even bought a green carpet dash mat? Eclipsecovers.com lists green and dark green but they say that their supplier no longer supplies green and they've had no luck finding anyone else who can supply it. There must be other rigs out there with green interiors...
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Paradise, CA
I see you are in Davis. The big self service junk yard on Sunrise in Rancho usually has lots of old trucks. I'm sure you can find a dash pad there that is in good shape. Clean it and paint it if need be. I was in the Chico junk yard today and there were two nice dash pads. One blue and one brown. $20 each. I used a brown one and painted it black for my truck. Looks brand new and way better than a rug.....in my opinion.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
That sounds pretty good, but I'm a little worried about the longevity of the paint. I'd hate to have to repaint the dash every few years, but maybe there's a good way to seal it or a better type of paint for that kind of material?
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