Installing new Dash pad from Just Dash's

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Matthew and I ordered two new Dash Pads from Just Dash's after a long wait... they came in. We both supplied our old metal strips to be molded into the new pad. Matthew's is Black and mine was a color match to the Turquoise paint of my Dash frame. Cost $100 more for this color match too!

Now you can't see the metal strip but I pass over the top part of my Pad (and Matthews too before I shipped it Holland) to verify that it indeed had the metal strip made into the pad.

I started with placing my pad with any clips used, over the two end holes that need would use the clips with the screw nut combo (both ends of the pad) by locating the pad visually on the dash frame left and right to where it should be mounted. (used old pictures of my car and other forum members cars too) . I then climbed underneath the dash and marked these two holes as being the anchor points for the pad.

I then peeled back the vinyl pad a bit and slipped these two fasteners with the screws on them under the metal strip ever so carefully. I then placed the pad back on the dash frame and again this time marked the spots where the spring clips would go on the strip. There are only 4 of these spring clip spots but I had only three spring clips. I then took the dash pad off and slipped these spring clips fasteners under the unseen metal strip and then just put it on the dash frame. Fit very well!

I then put the two speed nuts on the two end fasteners with the screw studs to securly anchor it down. Then I went about trimming the bottom extra fabric and with and awl, punched several holes where the lower reveal moulding would need to pass thru to anchor the bottom part. The are to the left of the glove box also gets tucked behind the anodized trim too.

I put this strip on but had only a few of those spring clips but put on what I had to have it 99% finished look. Need to stop by the local automotive trim store for some new push on fasteners that would work with this piece of reveal moulding and then it is done.

I was suprised how easy it was to do.

John Q.

[Ken Jacob]

John,

What was the cost of the black dash pad? Do you have a contact phone number? Thanks.

Ken Jacob

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Hi Ken! The Black 59 Plymouth dash pad costs $500 plus shipping (approx $40, ours was $80 for two of them to my house) But we bought two of them at one time and they could have given us a break price wise...

Just Dash's number is : 1800-247-3274 (Van Nuys, Califoria) web address is: http://www.justdashes.com/

I had to talk to one of the mangers there named Irwin who understood that the Metal strip (you provide from your old pad) is to be molded in the new pad. Others I talked to there did not understand about the metal strip, but Irwin did.

Good Luck!

[Dick Koch]

John - Man, that looks great. My car had a dash pad made by a local upholsterer, looked good but was substantially thinner and there was no metal strip, it was glued on. I did not know there was a metal strip on the original dash pads and when I ordered it from Just Danshes no one asked me if I had one. Anyway, the one I received fits but I will have to compress it somehow to give it memory so that it fits more tightly to the contour of the dash. I will have to glue it on, I plan of using Goop. Do you have any suggustions for mounting it.
Dick.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Dick, I guess if there is no strip in yours (sounds like it) then maybe JB welding some of the fasteners to the location that I had hooked onto the metal strip on my pad.

You would have to locate the mounting points like I did from underneath the dash, Maybe using your old parts car dash frame (if you still have it) to help shape your pad in the curvature needed for the SF.

Matthew, any suggestions here?


John Q.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

On the lower dash fabric attachment strip, I used a more modern 1/2 molding clip with short stud on it and a speed nut. The clips I had were very rusty and seveal of them broke during my first attempt to install the lower horizontal trim strip to the dash pad. And they those that did not break had weak spring tension on them.

Though not correct, they provided great clamping action to the lower fabric of the new dash pad to the metal dash frame. I then reached inside and under the dash to put the speed nuts on and it looks great. It was easier to line up the dash holes and just press in. I did have the glove box out too!

On the assembly line it was quicker to use the OEM spring clips but using these fasteners are a better way to secure the strip and the lower dash pad fabric. No one will see the new way of attaching it for those who are into showing there cars for points at a judged show.

John Q.