ABS model dash pads thoughts

[tnab1970]

Looking for Dash Pad info. Has anyone used the LMC brand ABS molded plastic dash pad? if so what about fit? quality, etc. We need to buy one soon and Im having a tuff time on the $ 420 dollar OEM replacement. any thoughts??

[hillcountryflt]

I wonder if the source for LMC is the same as these at:
http://cgfordparts.com/wwwsectionfiles/ ... _dash.html

[tnab1970]

Have no idea, price is about the same. Did you see they offer a "reproduction dash pad" at $ 275 versus the " original Ford tooling " at $ 449

[hillcountryflt]

The reproduction dash pads appear to be only for dent-sides, not bumps. And dents get a lot of color choices with either the high-dollar ones or the the reproduction pads. Bumps, we get black or white (:

[tnab1970]

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=61

Link to what I am asking about

[hillcountryflt]

I would be hesitant to use any of the covers - I would just as well go with the "pad-less" look by removing the old cracked pad and leaving it with the painted dash (looks OK on my 69 until I can afford the replacement dash pad).

[Dan]

My wife got me the LMC plastic dash pad cover about 6 years ago, black in color (see pic below) my original dash pad was sun baked and cracked, and we couldn't afford the repro full pad.

While I am normally very much against things like a fake plastic overlay, I have to admit that it looks really nice, and certainly 1000 times better than my baked out old pad! In fact, EVERYONE who sees my truck thinks it's "all redone" and never notices the fake cover on the dash, they "assume" it's real and as it should be.

Granted, if you actually touch it, it feels like the plastic case from a VCR tape, and if you look close you can clearly see that all of the edges are not in contact with the dash as they would be on a factory Ford product installation, so you won't fake out any "true" car people.

Installation was pretty simple, I had to take a mat knife and cut off any high spots on the factory padded dash so there would be a level surface, and clean it really well, other than that you leave your old pad still on and then silicone/glue this too it.

I would suggest that you test fit over and over until you are very satisfied before you glue it on, and also get a bunch of heavy objects and rags that you can lay all over the pad to ensure the glue makes solid contact everywhere while it sits and dries.

Those objects should be wide and blunt too, so you don't put any excessive weight in a single spot. In the end I am still looking for a mint pad to put on my truck someday, but honestly everyone thinks this cover looks great, so I guess for the price difference it's not a bad option if money will be tight for awhile!

[Dan]

I forgot to add, I haven't had any glue failure or really any other issue at all since I installed it, my truck does stay in the garage all the time, so no long term sun exposure, but for what it is, the quality has held up in my use anyway.

[Calfdemon]

I used the cover as well and am happy with it. You cant tell its a cover unless you really look at it and its edges. Otherwise, everything thinks it is a perfect uncracked dash.

[tnab1970]

thanks for the info guys! that was what I was looking for. Unfortunately ours does not have a dash on there at all. I guess well run the painted dash for now till we can get a new one. Thanks again for the info.