Dash Cap or Pad

[ODZKing]

Who here has tried the dash cap on a 73 Charger?
Mine has cracks so the options are $700 to restore.
Search for a good used one.
I'm sure I saw repros somewhere around $350 or so.
Or, go with a cap for $99-109.
Do they fit, how do they work, how do they look etc?
Pics?
Thanks,
Bob

[Ghoste]

Personally, I've never been a big fan of the caps.  They just never seem to look quite right.

[NHCharger]

Check out Beer's thread. He did a real nice job.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,4617.0.html

[nh_mopar_fan]

We put a cap on the wife's Valiant dash. Came out awesome.

[68 RT]

Pad!

[jaak]

I have a '73 and I installed a cap. It looks a million times better than the cracked pad....but it still looks like a cap. For a driver, its nice and presentable enough, but if it was a show car, I would go for a pad.

Jason

[hollywood1336]

Can anyone tell me how to remove the dash pad from a 68 Charger, the upper pad across the top of the dash.
Thanks.

[doctor4766]

If they're like the '69's there are nuts to remove where it bolts directly to the dash.
Difficult to get to. You need the glovebox out and the instrument cluster too if I remember correctly.
So, so long ago now.....

[69charger2002]

that is how they come out. 6 speed nuts you have to be a contortionist to get back in there. the socket needs to be horizontal from the front of the car going towards the back of the car. if that makes sense. 3/8 socket, i use 1/4 drive and have extensions handy. if your windshield is out just take the dash completely out, if not refer to above. it's a pain. i took a 73 out 2 days ago and it's a much bigger pad with many more nuts, but i got it out faster than i can a 68-70 pad

[69charger2002]

by the way i have a good 73 dash pad with one small crack barely noticeable driver's side by the windshield pillar. since i'm now a master at taking them out, i'd be ok with takng this one out and selling it if you'd rather a good driver quality pad versus a cap.

[Nacho-RT74]

PAD, PLEASE.

contac AZ-Nick, he makes great jobs and cheaper

[hollywood1336]

Thanks for the info on removing the dash pad guys. Another question. I'm not restoring my car to stock, I'm going to leave the exterior pretty much stock but change out the 318 engine and 904 tranny for something bigger. I'm also going to modernize the interior, modern bucket seats, Auto Meter gauges in the dash and modern switches. Has any done this with their car, and if so, is there a aftermarket vacuum switch out there that will operate the headlamp covers. Also, any other suggestions on dimmers, light switches and wiper switches would be helpful.

[ramairthree]

I am just starting to look into it also.

For a real restoration you cant go with the cap.

For a trim budget driver, saving time not taking out dash,
a cap may be an improvement...

like on mine..