UPDATE....plastic dash deck lid installed....pics
10-21-2014, 01:49 PM
#1
UPDATE....plastic dash deck lid installed....pics Took another week, but my new dash shell AND the aftermarket deck lid is installed.
Basically....it goes in like butter.....everything lined up very well and the Velcro and fasteners lined up perfectly. The VIN data plate is not covered up in any way. There was absolutely nothing to trim, cut or shave.
The vent openings are different than the factory but no big deal....at least not to me. To have an ABS material fit really well that's not going to crack and will last way longer.....it's just fine.
It's also black in color. I thought it would look strange but I like it with my charcoal grey factory interior color. You can't notice it much anyway. If you want to paint it....you can.
Depending on how many people want one....I know I can work on a good (or better) price than they are asking. I think they are still asking like $280.....haven't checked in awhile.
20 people would be good.
.....4 pictures posted below.......
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Basically....it goes in like butter.....everything lined up very well and the Velcro and fasteners lined up perfectly. The VIN data plate is not covered up in any way. There was absolutely nothing to trim, cut or shave.
The vent openings are different than the factory but no big deal....at least not to me. To have an ABS material fit really well that's not going to crack and will last way longer.....it's just fine.
It's also black in color. I thought it would look strange but I like it with my charcoal grey factory interior color. You can't notice it much anyway. If you want to paint it....you can.
Depending on how many people want one....I know I can work on a good (or better) price than they are asking. I think they are still asking like $280.....haven't checked in awhile.
20 people would be good.
.....4 pictures posted below.......
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Last edited by LS6427; 10-21-2014 at 02:00 PM.
10-21-2014, 02:25 PM
#5
Looks good, nice find.
The factory piece is ABS as well with a UV stabilizer blended with the raw material. Ive been in the plastic industry for 20 years, thin ABS in a large item like this just gets brittle over time. The problem lies in the OEM design of the part, it should have had a webbing designed into the underside for long term structural support. This new part will crack the same over time especially if it doesnt have a uv stabilizer that was added to raw material before processing. One good thing though is that this new dash is cheaper than a new OEM dash shelf.
The factory piece is ABS as well with a UV stabilizer blended with the raw material. Ive been in the plastic industry for 20 years, thin ABS in a large item like this just gets brittle over time. The problem lies in the OEM design of the part, it should have had a webbing designed into the underside for long term structural support. This new part will crack the same over time especially if it doesnt have a uv stabilizer that was added to raw material before processing. One good thing though is that this new dash is cheaper than a new OEM dash shelf.
10-21-2014, 03:18 PM
#6
Looks good, nice find.
The factory piece is ABS as well with a UV stabilizer blended with the raw material. Ive been in the plastic industry for 20 years, thin ABS in a large item like this just gets brittle over time. The problem lies in the OEM design of the part, it should have had a webbing designed into the underside for long term structural support. This new part will crack the same over time especially if it doesnt have a uv stabilizer that was added to raw material before processing. One good thing though is that this new dash is cheaper than a new OEM dash shelf.
The factory piece is ABS as well with a UV stabilizer blended with the raw material. Ive been in the plastic industry for 20 years, thin ABS in a large item like this just gets brittle over time. The problem lies in the OEM design of the part, it should have had a webbing designed into the underside for long term structural support. This new part will crack the same over time especially if it doesnt have a uv stabilizer that was added to raw material before processing. One good thing though is that this new dash is cheaper than a new OEM dash shelf.
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02-13-2015, 03:41 PM
#12
Its pretty much perfect to me as far as fitment. I dont care that the vents don't look exactly like factory. My friend who is a parts dealer at a Pontiac Dealer in Pompano Beach had no clue it was not factory. I showed it to him and he was like....cool, where did you find a brand new one.......Then I told him it was an aftermarket lid.
Its a great piece.....and mounts very solid.
I spoke to the manufacturer about being a distributor.......I think I can get the price down to about $220.00 each......not including shipping.
IF I get 20 people in a group sale.......
Its been awhile and I've been over in the Middle East for awhile. I get home to Ft. Lauderdale around March 28th.......if 20 people give me deposits I will lay out the rest of the cash to have 20 made....then get the rest of the payment and ship them out. I have to see how much it costs to ship them domestically....
$220.00 is not firm...I have to ask again about pricing for an order of 20 units.....
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Its a great piece.....and mounts very solid.
I spoke to the manufacturer about being a distributor.......I think I can get the price down to about $220.00 each......not including shipping.
IF I get 20 people in a group sale.......
Its been awhile and I've been over in the Middle East for awhile. I get home to Ft. Lauderdale around March 28th.......if 20 people give me deposits I will lay out the rest of the cash to have 20 made....then get the rest of the payment and ship them out. I have to see how much it costs to ship them domestically....
$220.00 is not firm...I have to ask again about pricing for an order of 20 units.....
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02-14-2015, 10:07 AM
#14
I have one of these, got it thru eBay,here are my issues w/mine:
1) fitment is just ok,cut by VIN way off
2) gloss is too much and you get a lot of glare when driving in full sun
3) large gap can be seen in 3rd pic, a bic pen will fit thru that gap, there was/is velcro under it but its not thick enough to mate to car OR flexible enough to bend down. Will require more attention to rectify this issue
So IMHO its like everything else, you get what you pay for, these serve a purpose and are ok if you cant or wont pony the $ for OE, they are better than dash "caps" but not as good as original, IMHO. YMMV
1) fitment is just ok,cut by VIN way off
2) gloss is too much and you get a lot of glare when driving in full sun
3) large gap can be seen in 3rd pic, a bic pen will fit thru that gap, there was/is velcro under it but its not thick enough to mate to car OR flexible enough to bend down. Will require more attention to rectify this issue
So IMHO its like everything else, you get what you pay for, these serve a purpose and are ok if you cant or wont pony the $ for OE, they are better than dash "caps" but not as good as original, IMHO. YMMV
Last edited by 99'CajunFirehawk157; 02-14-2015 at 10:14 AM.
02-15-2015, 10:25 AM
#15
I have one of these, got it thru eBay,here are my issues w/mine:
1) fitment is just ok,cut by VIN way off
2) gloss is too much and you get a lot of glare when driving in full sun
3) large gap can be seen in 3rd pic, a bic pen will fit thru that gap, there was/is velcro under it but its not thick enough to mate to car OR flexible enough to bend down. Will require more attention to rectify this issue
So IMHO its like everything else, you get what you pay for, these serve a purpose and are ok if you cant or wont pony the $ for OE, they are better than dash "caps" but not as good as original, IMHO. YMMV
1) fitment is just ok,cut by VIN way off
2) gloss is too much and you get a lot of glare when driving in full sun
3) large gap can be seen in 3rd pic, a bic pen will fit thru that gap, there was/is velcro under it but its not thick enough to mate to car OR flexible enough to bend down. Will require more attention to rectify this issue
So IMHO its like everything else, you get what you pay for, these serve a purpose and are ok if you cant or wont pony the $ for OE, they are better than dash "caps" but not as good as original, IMHO. YMMV
Did you get this one....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261534891344...torefresh=true
Because this is the one I got....it fits perfectly. VIN opening is just like factory....fits very tight and the glare in South Florida sun is the same as the factory lid was.
This company only has one mold, I went to their factory in Pompano Beach to pick mine up and saw the mold. So every lid is 100% identical.
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Last edited by LS6427; 02-15-2015 at 11:07 AM.
02-15-2015, 10:59 AM
#16
Did you get this one....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261534891344...torefresh=true
Because this is the one I got....it fits perfectly. VIN opening is just like factory....fits very tight and the glare in South Florida sun is the same as the factory lid was.
This company only has one mold, I went to their factory in Pompano Beach to pick mine up and saw the mold. So every lid is 100% identical.
.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261534891344...torefresh=true
Because this is the one I got....it fits perfectly. VIN opening is just like factory....fits very tight and the glare in South Florida sun is the same as the factory lid was.
This company only has one mold, I went to their factory in Pompano Beach to pick mine up and saw the mold. So every lid is 100% identical.
.
7 out of 10; fitment issues, needed clean up & trimming, not OE qualityBuyer: Member id moretoyz4me ( Feedback Score Of 1608
)
During past 6 months
1998 - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro & Pontiac Firebird Full Dashboard Replacement (#261534891344)
) During past 6 months
1998 - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro & Pontiac Firebird Full Dashboard Replacement (#261534891344) 
BTW there are two threads on this same topic?
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...omments-4.html
See my thoughts around post 63...
Last edited by 99'CajunFirehawk157; 02-15-2015 at 11:27 AM.
02-15-2015, 03:15 PM
#17
YES, here is my feedback from 10/4/14 (along with the other NOT so happy campers)
I would tend to think the VIN cut out is done after it comes out of the mold, hence the reason mine is off, like I say its ok, I am just not as happy with mine as you are, it would be cool if you want to swap though since their all 100% identical
BTW there are two threads on this same topic?
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...omments-4.html
See my thoughts around post 63...
I would tend to think the VIN cut out is done after it comes out of the mold, hence the reason mine is off, like I say its ok, I am just not as happy with mine as you are, it would be cool if you want to swap though since their all 100% identical
BTW there are two threads on this same topic?
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...omments-4.html
See my thoughts around post 63...
If a group purchase is made I'll tell them they need to make them all the same. I guess I got lucky if they finish them all differently. Thats not cool......
Maybe Ill pop mine out when Im there and match them up to some of there new ones........see what the deal is. Because mine fits damn near perfect all the way around.
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