1979 Dash Pad Replacement

[ScottD]

Hello squarebody owners I’m in need of advice. My 79 Sierra caught fire at the body shop a while back and they seem to have no issues replacing everything except for the dashpad. I’ve been reading forums all day trying to find where I should go but everyone seems to have had nightmare experiences from the usual distributors (USA1, LMC, Classic Industries). I’m also not 100% on what colour the dash is, Buckskin or Camel Tan. I figure Buckskin but every picture I see of Buckskin looks different so I was just hoping to hear from other 79-80 owners and have them point me in the right direction, thanks.

 

[fast 99]

Dashes direct is the big hitter. Summit and Jegs sometimes have less expensive shipping options.

USA1 seems to have decent quality but wait time is unacceptable. I canceled a prepaid order after 6 months and no delivery date.

 

[Edelbrock]

Why wont they replace the dash pad? Not enough damage? Previous damage / cracks?

 

[ScottD]

They don’t want to hold onto it any longer, they’re putting a black vinyl in for now but I want one similar in colour. I checked all the sites from Fast99s recommendation (thank you by the way). JEGS has a Buckskin vinyl on backorder that says it will ship July 14th. Gonna call in the morning and see how truthful that date really is. Again, have heard nightmare stories on wait times.

 

[75gmck25]

My ‘75 GMC has a buckskin color interior, but the dash is a little darker buckskin/tan than the rest of the interior (almost a brown). I think you may have the same color.

I bought my buckskin dash pad from Jegs and it was made by Dashes Direct. LMC has one priced about the same, but if their pictures are accurate it is the lighter tan color.

Dash pad required trimming where it meets the windshield, and it appears that it was just flashing from the molding process. I carefully trimmed it with a sharp box knife. All the emblems and the vents are attached from the back, so you just transfer them over once you get the old pad off.

Final fitment was a bit of a PIA to push it into place and get the screws in to hold the front edge, but overall not that difficult.

 

[legopnuematic]

Being a 79, it should be a Camel interior.

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[Fat 454]

Another alternative for you would be to use a vinyl paint / dye to colour the black dash, if you can't get one in a reasonable time. I haven't done this in a long time, however I remember being very impressed with the results on a couple of projects. If you have a good cover, the coverage is very good, and the grain still comes through.

I have a centre console top pad that I am going to do, and I was thinking of trying it on the black aftermarket centre consoles that are available, as no one makes them in OEM matching colours ( any finish, as long as its black .. ) - maybe try a piece of trim from a junkyard in black to see how it works first ??