dashcap install

Topic: dashcap install (Read 3673 times) previous topic - next topic

dashcap install

Reply #15 – June 04, 2009, 10:13:04 PM

Eric, those are good pics. They pretty much are same as mine. I trimmed the leading edge of the speaker cutouts so the grills sit flush.

Interesting about the hump. Maybe they did start with a flawed original.

If I am going to be happy with mine, something's got to be done about the gaps around the registers. Any suggestions? As for the hump, not sure yet.

dashcap install

Reply #16 – June 04, 2009, 10:23:31 PM

Eric, looking at that pic of the hump. It's exactly like mine on the edge against the cluster bezel.

I'll try to get a better pic of mine tomorrow.

dashcap install

Reply #17 – June 04, 2009, 10:26:21 PM

The first cover I used on the old '88 Blue Max was from dashtops.com.
It required a lot of tpuppies around the speakers, the center panel, and the side window demisters. Also, there was tpuppies needed on both sides by the A-pillars.
The grain wasn't super deep and looked very natural, similar to the factory grain.

The one on the convertible is from dashcap.com.
Virtually no tpuppies was needed anywhere, except by the A-pillars.
The grain is pretty deep, as seen in those photos. It's not factory but it is very nice and has a good tactile factor.
Only real problem: it's short on the driver's side...not a problem if it's black, but if you're doing a color like I did, you'll have to paint part of the side of the dash first.
Also, the gaps around the side window demisters became pretty apparent...I think it's in their mold, personally.

I installed both covers the same way: lots of clear silicone, phone books on top for weight, tape to hold down the corners, and matchbooks wedged in by the windshield.

Overall I give the dashcap.com one the top ranking for grain and ease of installation.
However, the dashtops.com one still gave a better fit after all the tpuppies.

If I were to recommend one: dashtops.com

That being said...yes, I think the hump is in the original dash mold. I don't ever recall seeing a 1985-88 car without one. What I cannot remember is if that was there when the cars were new. It's possible that the defect came out over time.

dashcap install

Reply #18 – June 04, 2009, 10:30:51 PM

Quote

and matchbooks wedged in by the windshield

I peeled the dash back as one would for a heater core swap...

dashcap install

Reply #19 – June 04, 2009, 10:34:47 PM

I believe it came that way. I remember picking up friends and waiting while pressing it down, wondering why it was like that.
That, and wondering why the latch on the glove box was bright red an a darker red door.
But you gotta love the car for all those quirky things.

dashcap install

Reply #20 – June 05, 2009, 01:30:06 AM

That Dashcap does have a very nice grain but I have yet to see any good pictures of the Dashtops one. Soooo, anyone up to the task?

dashcap install

Reply #21 – June 05, 2009, 02:32:11 AM

One thing about the Dashtop version is that it appears to be longer on the DS. The dashcap I have is .25"-.5" short of being even with the bottom edge of the instrument bezel. If it were just a bit longer it would match better on the side, and look better IMO.

dashcap install

Reply #22 – June 05, 2009, 10:02:38 PM

here's my dash hump. Not as bad as the tops, but still drives me crazy to look at straight on.

Not so noticeable from the side though

dashcap install

Reply #23 – June 06, 2009, 12:41:17 AM

My stock dash has the same hump (it's actually a bit worse). I guess I'm not the only one.

dashcap install

Reply #24 – June 08, 2009, 08:52:13 PM

I decided to pull the cap and reinstall it after doing some mods. I'll post some pics after the glue dries. In the mean time, wish me luck!

dashcap install

Reply #25 – June 08, 2009, 09:32:34 PM

good luck

dashcap redux

Reply #26 – June 13, 2009, 10:37:28 PM

Tried a couple of things, so success, some failure, some problems.

Success - the local big box hardware store supplied some window screen which I glued to the back of the cap. The gap between dash and cap no longer is visible. w00t.

Failure - the gap is still there, despite massaging the top of the dash and using some weights at that point.

Problems - The PS speaker opening doesn't quite match (esp the lower left corner) so it looks kinda py. The windshield defroster registers don't match the side window registers, yet still look like .

Question - Are there grills to fit into the center defrosters?