Aaron R.

Months ago I bought a brand new Dashpad from Classic Industries. Cost was about $400. Finally got around to installing it today. It turned out great. I am very happy with the purchase. Very good product!

Here are some pics of top and bottom. Surface texture is like original and dash is slightly softer and shinier since it is brand new. The old one looks pretty faded in these pics. The only visible difference is the speaker holes.

Aaron R.

The new dash fit almost perfect by just sliding it in. The only trouble I had was underneath. The overall width underneath was about 1/8" too narrow, causing the dash to be slightly uneven on either the driver or passenger side. Pic 1 shows the area underneath the dash that was causing the problem. I used a flat edge to press down on both sides of the dash, giving a little more space for it to seat all the way down. Pressing down cut into the material a bit, so I smeared a coat of epoxy over the edges to make sure no cracks would spread. All of this not visible with the dash installed.

Aaron R.

The 4 screws that hold the front of the pad down were a little difficult. I had to push very hard to screw them all the way through until they poked out the bottom of the dash. Pic #1. There are indentations in the new dash to show you where to do this. They are in the same location as the old dash so lining things up wasn't too hard.
I noticed the new dash didn't seem to have plastic reenforcement for the screws to go through, which means you have to be careful not to screw them down too tight or they will tear into the new dash without "bottoming" out. The original dash had plastic insets that keep you from accidentally doing this. I was very careful and did not screw them in too deep, just enough to seat in the material.
I found you really have to screw in the 4 screws at the front of the dash first, then the 6 screws at the rear (nearest driver and passenger). I took my time and was very careful not to mess anything up and made sure all 4 screws were seated properly before moving on.
The 6 rear screws were pretty easy, but I had to push very hard to get them started into the material. You have to be very careful not to try to screw them in too deep. The dash material is fairly soft and I think you could strip it out easily. I screwed them in until they touched and the dash wouldn't move and it turned out fine.

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

got any finished pics?

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

nevermind I spke too soon lol

Aaron R.

The finished product looks great. I am extremely happy with it and would definitely purchase another. It looks original.
It looks nice and flat, but I noticed the front corners don't sit all the way down on the dash. You only notice this if you push down at the left or right front corner. I don't remember if my original dash was like that. This new dash is more flexible so I think with a little time and sunlight/heat it will gradually "relax". Either way you don't notice it at all unless you start pushing around on the top of the dash, and everything looks nice and flat anyway. I am pretty picky and am not bothered at all by it.
Great product guys! The guy at Classic said they spent a lot of time getting this dash right, and I believe it.

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

hmm, the corners of the defrosters look a little uneven...that would bug the hell out of me

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Agreed. For the mint that they're charging for this thing, it should be perfect. Those bulges would drive me nuts.

Aaron R.

You guys are stupid to think there will ever be "perfect". Even original GM parts don't fit perfect. You can see by these attached pics that on my original GM dash the vents don't even sit flush with the rest of the dash. This is the second GM dash I have had that is like that, too.
Your cars are full of imperfections like this, you just have gotten accustomed to them and don't see them or have some preconceived notion that your OE parts have always been perfect by assuming that those creases, kinks, and bumps in OE parts were designed to be there.

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

I dont know if I agree with your GM/aftermarket argument in this case. Assuming you have a mint dash from a 92 camaro, its still 18 years old and I would expect it to show signs of wear and age in the defrost vents. Not a brand new repo though. Especially for $400, I would want it to look better.

My car is perfect, BTW.

mrt89rs

$400 thats a pretty penny, looks good though i really need one of those dashes but the price has got me think twice about it.

collin2201

It looks pretty good from the pictures. Those bulges would bug me too but I have a cloth dash cover so I'd never have to see it.
I'd be a little hesitant to spend $400 on a dash pad though. I'm more in the range of $100.

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

Looks good!
Full-on resto would probly get a GM part, for Barett/Jackson, Russo/Steele (sp?), Mecum, (sp), where it would be a NEED- TO- HAVE for top $ bids, or high points in a Concourse type show..??..

So I take it that one of the tips for install is to go slow, and NOT use a power type drill // screw driver..?..

Few hundred miles & let us know how the screws hold??

(edit)
agree $ is a bit high.

GtoRockz

I have found that is pretty hard to get anything perfect, I'm a perfectionist with my own stuff.. with that said i think it looks real sweet and is a huge improvement.. and i am really glad my 24 yo dash is still "Perfect".

Good Job!

irock88

looks good a lot better than the original one you had,sooner or later almost everyone with a third gen will need one no mater how careful you are with them.
Uphere in Ontario they sell for $550.00

camaronewbie

Good luck with that $100 search! You'll need alot more patience than I had! I watched ebay for 2 years before I got a mint pad for under $300! $400 for a new one, with no waiting - that's defiitely a deal!