Dash pad vs dash cap for 1974 Charger SE

[punisher054]

Hi all

Have looked everywhere, and all that I can find is a dash cap for my 74 Charger, instead of a complete pad? Pro's or con's? Would rather do it right the first time, but wonder if anyone even makes the parts to do it right??? Looked at Year One, Paddock, and some others to no avail.

Thanks!

[Ghoste]

Have you looked into sending it to JustDashes and getting them to recover it?

[moparguy01]

Have you looked into sending it to JustDashes and getting them to recover it?

they want dang near 700 bucks to do a third gen dash pad.

[punisher054]

700 is a little steep , but if it is the only option...........................

[moparguy01]

i'd just use a cap. I'm not sure what i'm going to do yet, i'll either do it myself using adhesive, some vinyl and a heat gun and a whole lot of time and patience. or i'll just toss a cap on it.

[Ghoste]

Wow, I never knew it was that much.  I suppose like Punisher say though, if it's the only option.  They apply new foam to the frame before recovering it, don't they?

[Nacho-RT74]

700 is a little steep , but if it is the only option...........................

Is not the only option, actually they are being repopped.. www.paddockparts.com

Some member around already got it and stated was fiberglas structure instead metallic, but on exterior looks exactly to original

My vote is anyway pay a little bit more ( yeah I know really is double ) and get just dashes rebuilt job. They use your original metallic core. Another deal is you have to pay both shippings.

The only bad stuff on both options: just black. The colors options are same black vinyl just died

[moparguy01]

i beleive so. they do good work, but i'm not rich, so they are out of my price range. you can glue foam on yourself and shape it before using vinyl on them though.

[punisher054]

I would think at that point I would just pay the $$$. Not rich either, but want it right, and not that confident in my foam ability..LOL

[Nacho-RT74]

I'm one of those who think if you do something do it right once, specially with those parts that needs lot of work to replace and price increases year after year. I still haven't seen a dash cap that wouldn't be noticeable like just a cap.

Replace the dash pad ( repro or rebuilt ) will guarantee at least 20-30 years more ( depending of enviroment conditions ) of good interior look and no more headaches.

A friend of mine bought a cap to his 70 Cuda, and never fit good from the first fit. So he will end buying a repro. If he bought on those years he would spent $550-600, now the price is $800-900, just 2 and a half years later.

[rudyjrusa]

I'm one of those who think if you do something do it right once, specially with those parts that needs lot of work to replace and price increases year after year. I still haven't seen a dash cap that wouldn't be noticeable like just a cap.

Replace the dash pad ( repro or rebuilt ) will guarantee at least 20-30 years more ( depending of enviroment conditions ) of good interior look and no more headaches.

A friend of mine bought a cap to his 70 Cuda, and never fit good from the first fit. So he will end buying a repro. If he bought on those years he would spent $550-600, now the price is $800-900, just 2 and a half years later.

having mine sent to dashboardrestorations - they want $475 plus shipping and lead time is 6 weeks - i just hope they do a good job on it! 

called just dashes they want $650 and lead time is 12weeks.

there is also ultimate rides in TX that has them - they want $650 and they can send them in 3weeks plus a core charge of $195.

Paddock has them for $399 plus $80 to ship - lead time is 4 weeks - it is made of some sort of plastic.

not sure if there is anybody else restoring them??

[Nacho-RT74]

keep us updated!!! I think that quote is not bad at all and will forgett that headache for looong time

[davidlclassic]

Bought a dash cap for my 3rd generation from 1Aauto for $73.00 plus shipping, it comes with the glue and instructions to install. It looks great after installation. You can't tell the diffirence unless you look real close.

[rudyjrusa]

keep us updated!!! I think that quote is not bad at all and will forgett that headache for looong time

just sent dashpad to dashboardrestorations - i can't wait to see what it will look like when its restored - it cost me about $70 dollars to ship to washington from new york

[Winged 1]

 
I vote to do it right the first time. Send it out. If you get a minute look up ole 8 wheeler here on the site and ask him about the sagging dash caps.
Eric

[41husk]

I put a cap in my 73 and wish I had the pad redone It doesn't look terrible but you can tell.

[Nacho-RT74]

I put a cap in my 73 and wish I had the pad redone It doesn't look terrible but you can tell.

that's the reason why I said...

[pancho13]

I've just pulled the dash and I'm installing the new dash pad from the paddock on my 72 SE. I'll reply when the job's done to report how it looks & fit. Is there anyway to start the car while the dash is out; any way to link to the ignition system?

Thanks

[Nacho-RT74]

run a a wire to feed ballast blue wire ( don't unplugg the ballast ) from batt and jump the starter relay between big nut stud and solenoid terminal to crank engine. Be carefull if you have bulkhead in place with all harnesses plugged because ammeter wires will be powered. use a small screw with a nut to keep them together and keep the batt charging from alt and then tape the terminals. they ARE ALLWAYS POWERED.

[Charger1973]

I've just pulled the dash and I'm installing the new dash pad from the paddock on my 72 SE. I'll reply when the job's done to report how it looks & fit. Is there anyway to start the car while the dash is out; any way to link to the ignition system?

Thanks

Take some pics of the back side, the frame and the mounting studs if you could.  Im really curious to see how they look. 

[pancho13]

Thanks Nacho!

charger 73: I'm gonna work on the dash this w/end, I'll post pics then & tell of how its going