I have a 1974 Ford Pinto im working on and the dash is cracked down the middle. Where do I get a new dash or any ideas on how to fix it?
It all depends on what you're aiming for. If it's a driver and you just want it to look nice, there are hard plastic molded covers that glue on and cover the originial dash pad. They are $65-70 on eBay, plus shipping. NOS dash pads pop up every once in a while but they are pricey. That may not be a consideration if you're building a show car. Several members have posted various methods of repairing, refurbishing, etc. that would be worthwhile to look through... use the search function and see what you find. You are in the right place. There are lot of people here who will be more than happy to help you!
Dwayne :smile:
i hsed the dassh cap it looks very nice hard to tell it is not correct untill you touch it.
phil
This is where I get my Dashes.
http://www.justdashes.com/
They are pricey but I cant imagine wasting money on non cracked low quality original ones. Get it done right the first time.
Caps are another alternative and they look great.
rAmon,
If you are looking for an entire dash, I have one from a 78 wagon. The pad on it is probably worse than yours though. And if it is just a cheap fix you are looking for, and you don't mind the look of a carpeted dash pad, then I have just the thing.
1First you need to remove your dash-pad from your car.
2Clean well with mild soap on a moist towel doing your best to keep any exposed foam dry.
3Rinse off any soap residue well. This will help the glue stick better...
4Cut and fill your pad. Cut the high spots down, and if possible, use the cut foam to fill the low spots. Perhaps mix in a little glue.
5Using the bolts on the pad as ancors, stretch your carpet around the pad, using a staple gun to adhere the other side. If your foam is wet at all this process will FAIL. Also use as many staples as you can, almost making a stitch the whole length of the front of the pad. I stapled mine as close to the natural seem as I could to keep them out of site when installed.
6Carefully take the carpet of the ancors and slightly seperate it from the pad. Just enough to spray in your adhesive. I recomend 3M Headliner Spray Adhesive. Coat both sides with a very light coating, if you overspray it will ruin your carpet. Let it tack/dry for a few minutes before restretching the carpet.
7Gently try to pull out any small creases, always pull never push the crease. This part can be tricky on the gauge rise, so try to fit it tight before you glue.
8Trim the sides and staple them down as well.
I am very happy with how mine turned out, and have done it on a friends 78 pinto wagon. Haven't installed my dash yet, as I am waiting to intall the windshield first.
I know its late, but i ripped all the old vinyl off mine, cut out the bad spots of foam, took a can of Great Stuff and filled the holes smoothing it out while its was still wet (yes it was a mess). The next day took a hack saw blade, smoothed off the set foam that was now filling the holes. Went to the fabric store and bought about $10.00 worth of black vinyl. Spread Elmers (spray adhesive was not strong enough for the sun) all over the foam. Stretched the new vinyl over the dask and used about 50 clothes pins to hold it till it dried. Once dry, trimmed if off and walla. Looks like new. Kenny
Sounds great, Kenny! I love a happy ending!
Dwayne :smile: