Original vs Reproduction Dash Pad

[Cuda_mark]

Had mine done at Just Dashes. Overall looks good but I did have a bubble that formed when it was in direct sunlight. Just Dashes told me that it is common and instructed me to pop it with a pin. It actually worked.

 

[heminut]

The only frame I have is the damaged one still complete. I'm assuming they work with bare frames and that stripping it down would be extra? Year One is $799. ABC is $1700 plus my core.

The frames are stripped down to the bare metal before recovering. If Year One said they would do yours for $799 get it in writing and then report back to us how that worked out! NO one is doing these dash pads for that price now!

 

[Deathproofcuda]

The frames are stripped down to the bare metal before recovering. If Year One said they would do yours for $799 get it in writing and then report back to us how that worked out! NO one is doing these dash pads for that price now!

The Year One dash pad for $799 has an ABS core, it is not the price for recovering an original steel frame.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

I thought I was pretty Happy and doing okay until my Dash Pad came in from Arizona, F'n UPS. I'm wise enough to the survey packages for outside damage before I open them. Sure enough there's a nice hole in the box on the outside that was obviously caused by UPS. I get the dashboard out of the box and out of the packing and the plastic bag and everything that Bob had it in. Overall it looks great and the color looks like it matches great too since I have my new seat covers to match it to. Then I find the issue. Apparently when UPS poked a hole in the center of the box, that's right, there at the point of the dashboard is that faces the interior of the car just above the console. The vinyl was not damaged but it looks like the paint or the coloring has been scraped off. It's now silver in two small spots. I took plenty of pictures of the package and the damage and how it matches with the hole on the outside of the box. I called Bob at ABC Moparts and told him about the issue. He's going to look at my email pictures and hit me back. He said he'd take care of it. Good thing I don't need it like right away. Sad Face...

 

[Ronbo73]

I had steel core my dash pad redone by YearOne in 2024. The cost then was ~$1200 with free return shipping. I see the price has gone up to ~$1300 and return shipping is not free. The Year One dash is not as nice as a Just Dashes pad but my dash looks great compared to the large cracks that I had and I am happy with it. The dash pad is not a shinny as the original which works well because the sun doesn't reflect off it and into my face.

When I called Just Dashes the cost was $3000 to just recover mine. I'm close enough to drive it there but the cost was prohibitive. Don't get me wrong, I would've loved to have the dash done by Just Dashes but I had to spend money wisely and spend it where I need to and not where I would like to.

 

[tonysrt]

It's sad that these guys throw our stuff around like it is ****. I had a b engine torque plate that was in a crate and they, the Post Office, tried to deliver just the top of the crate because the rest of the crate wound up in the lost and found and they could care less. I never use the P.O. to ship any packages anymore. Wouldn't even return the shipping cost of $50.

 

[moparleo]

The question was what would you pick between an plastic frame and steel frame.

 

[moparleo]

Which would you guys choose and why? does anyone have experience with the repro ones? I can only find one remake through Year One Parts. I've read the new ones are a plastic core, which makes me think they might be more fragile, but what could be more fragile than 50 year old Vinyl and Foam? I can get either one as I've found a very nice original.

There was no mention of pricing, wait time, purpose (OEM restoration ? or driver. etc...
Plastic and foam are petroleum based synthetic products made from many different chemical compounds and solvents.
The solvents evaporate and the parts shrink, become stiff, inflexible and doesn't matter what kinds of stuff you treat old, hard plastic with. it will never regenerate it self. It will always be 50_ year old plastic, stiff, cracking etc...
Unlike old Leather, which was a living, organic material. has been used for thousands of years, treated with many different types of organic oils, fats, plant and animal based preservatives.
Just imagine how technology has advanced in synthetics, plastics, electronics,
I approach my car with cost being the least important consideration.
It is value that counts not price. Old saying is that the "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten", The main complaint about price is when things are not the quality that was expected.
If you paid a little more for a great steak than you thought you should, You would not be complaining about the taste of the steak, just hoped it was a little cheaper.
If you went to another steakhouse and bought what was supposed to be the same cut, quality and cooked exactly the same, but the steak was tough, lacked flavor and overall. looked good but everything else about it was disappointing, what would be your recommendation to a friend. If you go here it is a little more expensive but the steak is fantastic, or if you want to save a little money you can go to this other place but it tastes lousy.
Where would you take your Date ?
My advice when buying anything is if you want to be happy with what you buy. Whether it be tools, cars, clothes etc... always buy the best you can afford and a little better than what you think you need right then.
In the end the worst than will happen is you spent a little more money, but if you buy what you think is just enough to do the job, you will in the end, just buy what you should have bought in the beginning and end up depending much more of you time and money than if you got the right thing in the beginning.
I hate to spend money but what I really hate more, is to waste money and buy something twice.
then.
Steel is steel. As long as the core has not been damaged by oxidation ( rust, corrosion), accident ( bent), heat ( warpage due to fire) 0r attempted modifications.
Just Dashes has more experience than all of the other Dash repop companies combined.
When quality counts, the top restoration companies will usually just go the the top and go with Just Dashes. They pioneered much of the knowledge and materials used today in the Dash pad market.
Read the comments about JustDashes and you seldom here complaints about quality and fit. Normally about higher pricing and longer wait times.
If you go to a place to eat and the prices are cheap and it is still not busy Hmmm...
But the place around the corner is higher priced and you need a reservation. Where do you want to spend your money at for a good meal, experience.
Long way to just say that Quality Dash pads for under $1,00 is is like looking for $1.50 gallon gas today.
If you even found some, would you fill your tank with it ??

Classic Car Interior Restoration | Just Dashes