jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

So I'm in Florida and my 97 Z28 was outside for it's first 10 years and it killed the dash pad by the windshield. It was so far gone that it was impossible to save. Broke into pieces every time you touched it.
So I looked around and now realize there are several GM part numbers for the different year dash pads.
The prices for 97 to 99 are... NUCKING FUTS!!! and the Shipping cost for GMparts direct are certifiably insane in the membrane.
I do not have almost 700 bucks to throw away on a dash pad and the old dash is gone all together so I would have to modify a cap to fit in there.

I am looking for options here.

Is there a cheaper dash pad out there or has someone modified a cap to fit in there with the old dash pad missing??

Please tell me there is an option. Used dash pads are going for over 200 bucks here in Florida. I need a cheaper alternative.
Help!!!

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

$700!?




http://6litereaterdesigns.com/store/...=166_24_35_141

fbody_brian

That's $200 for just a cover.

Most that I have seen are going for $4-500

As for the different part numbers I believe there are:
93-96 camaro
93-96 firebird
97-02 camaro/firebird
The difference between 97-99 and 00-02 is the color.

I have a great 97-99 dash pad. Doesn't quite fit right in my 94 bird, but I can't afford $500 for the right one.
I paid $180 from thepartsladi when she was still around

AdsoYo

iTrader: (1)

you could always upholster your dash pad. even if you get an expensive fabric like alcantera it would still be cheaper than $500

Puck

iTrader: (17)

I feel your pain.

I got one of the LAST oem dash pads available on ebay for LT1s back in ~2007ish. Not long after they were all discontinued/sold and only covers became available. Fast forward to now, after I pulled it out of storage and started driving it again, I just noticed that the brand new one is cracking already. Has a ~4" crack almost dead center. I put a dot of crazy glue to try to stop it from getting worse, but it pissed me off that now I can't even get a replacement and this one barely has any driving on it since the car sat for like 4 years.

I am tempted to just use it to make a mold, make a carbon fiber one (minus the clips) and just attach it with velcro and some standoffs.

jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

I have been thinking I may just buy one of these covers and see if I can modify it to sit in there correct or even use it to make a fiberglass one.

I did find someone that made a write up on how to take the stock one and glass the back side and get it back to being solid and take its form back and then fiberglass the top and then wrap it in vinyl but I have nothing to start with and I am not paying classic industries the 400+ they want.

jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I just have nothing to start with because the stock part was in 50 pieces just getting it out of the car. The onlt thing that did not break was the holder for the light sensor and security light. that is intact.

jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

This is the picture site I found about the guy who glassed his and wrapped it.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1145874...eat=directlink

hrcslam

have you tried Craigslist yet? Lots of Part outs in the Auto Parts section. It may take a bit of driving around before you find a nice piece, but you'll likely find a good deal.

Puck

iTrader: (17)

Finding a used one that isn't cracked (at least in the south) is damn near impossible. I've tried everywhere.

Sun makes them super brittle so simple bumps and vibrations crack them.

hrcslam

Yeah, I get that. But finding a cracked one in only 1 spot that can be patched a covered with apolstery is an option for someone on a budget. Finding a part out and buying other things needed also helps. You could be like "well I need a dash pad, but yours has a big crack in it, maybe I could have it fixed, would you take $10?", they'll likely take it. If you know how to resin and apolster, it could run you less than $50 total.

I live in Arizona, I'm scared to touch my dash pad, lol. No crackes...... Yet.

94_LT1_TransAm

Yeah hrcslam is right, just look around and you will find a decent one eventually that can be fixed if a little cracked or better yet not cracked lol I just bought a dash pad out of a 2002 for my 94 trans am that has a destroyed dash pad for 80 bucks and and is in great shape! I also picked up the front dash to fit the 2002 dash pad, since it was also cracked near the airbag area, for another 20 bucks and just needed to be redyed to match the ebony color.

Shownomercy

iTrader: (1)

97 is different than 95?

jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

They have different part numbers.
I think the shape is a little different. Then the 97 to 99 or 00 is the the same *** 99 or 00 to 02 except for the color.

sweetbmxrider

iTrader: (13)

97 is ls1 interior which is a different pad.

David94TA

Try these people:

http://www.tacreationsusa.com/

They usually have some used but they won't ship them because they are so fragile. You have to go get it. They are in Alabama.

94_LT1_TransAm

The 93-96 firebird use a dash that comes to a point where the airbag lid and the air vents meet. The 97 lt1s and 98-02 ls1s have a rounded corner in the same place where the airbag lid and air vents meet. Other than color, any 97-02 dash pad should fit his 97 z28 I believe.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

Mine was in perfect shape until I took it out and grabbed the vents and broke 2 vents off, then had it standing up against a wall and my wife leaned a light weight picture against it and it broke in half. If you search Craigslist and junkyards long enough you'll find one, probably not in FL, with at least only 1 crack. Then you could do like some threads where they glued cereal box cardboard or thin plastic sheeting pieces to the bottom to get it straight and supported, then wrap it in vinyl or something. I even debated using a car wrap on it because its light and thin.

Fast350Z

iTrader: (2)

I was lucky to find a used dash pad out of a low mileage 95 camaro for $50. New ones are way too expensive.

ACE1252

Over time, those things get really brittle. I guess the UV from the sun kills them. Be careful of a used one when installing it.

Almost all my defrost vent grills split, then when I went to take it out, the thing split into about 5 different pieces.

I did spring for a new one.