Ideas on Dash Pad INstall with Roll Cage

[scogin918]

Anyone have any tricks on installing a dash pad with down bars? I plan on finding an old one to practice on or at least making a decent template. I tried to locate the down bars as close to the pillars as possible so it would only require some trimming but it looks like it's going to be more involved than that.

[CKreations]

Start small

[ATOMonkey]

You might have to make it out of 3 pieces. We tried to just trim a dash pad in my brother's camaro to go around the bars, and it ended up realy really ugly. There was just no good way to notch the dash, and still have it install.

[undrprsr]

Probably the easiest way is to make a front and back piece from the dash pad. Kinda like ATOMonkey said. I've seen it done before and it turns out real nice. Saw it with a two tone setup, where the front part of the dash ( closer to the windshields) was a lighter leather color and the second part ( the part that faces the passangers ) was darker. Also maybe using a double stitch on the leather where the two pieces connect would give it a high end look.

Hope that helps....

[GRNOVA]

What about a metal dash pad we are just starting to fab one for my friends 67.

[scogin918]

We just got back to looking at the dash pad again yesterday. I am swaying more towards a 3-piece because then you can address the seams and have it look intentional and not like you're trying to get away with something.

[scogin918]

Dril, Baby, Drill!







THe hole fits really nicely, but we want to cut the passenger's side out before we do the final tweaking. One down , one to go.

[E-Vukets]

A guy I work with had the same problem with his nova and he did the same thing. The material eventually cracked and he said it never really looked "right" or finished. To get around it he did the cuts, but he also covered it in a cheap vinyl from fabric land with a red accent stitch it looks show car condition. If he brings it to work this summer I will try to get pictures for you

[scogin918]

That would be good. The material has been easy to work with but it is impossible to try to fit both sides at the same time. The hole you see above fit perfect before we cut the other hole. After that, not so much.

[E-Vukets]

That seems to be the way with these old cars though, they fight us the whole way! I am sure your Camaro will perform great though once you wrestle it into submission with the great parts you have lined up for it.

[scogin918]

Thanks. We'll see...

I had to take a break from the dash pad so we got the headlights and electric doors wired up, so we are pretty much done with electrical. Now I have to take the instrument cluster back out to be able to rivet the VIN tag in place. The sail panels are installed, so now I only have the dash pad and headliner windlace to go before I can put the glass in. So close!