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dash restoration

I have began looking into dash restoration companies. My folks used one way back, which is long out of business. My dad introduced me to the idea because He is going to have the dash in his Toyota pickup restored (until I showed that business was done for).

This place in Cali called just dash seems promising, but also sounds expensive.

Google yielded a few results of similar business across the u.s, but I am curious what you guys think about this.

Keep in mind I am in no hurry to do this, my dash is already cracked and I have other things to spend the money on. Plus waiting might end up with a stock uncracked OEM dash popping up somewhere.
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

dash restoration

Reply #1 –
Depending on what you're going for, I would recommend installing a dash cap. I put one in my car not too long ago. It looks great. If you're building a show car, then I guess it wouldn't work. If you look close, you can see the edges around a couple of the openings. Unless you're looking for them, it really does look good.
2017 Subaru Outback
2007 Lincoln MKZ
1990 Ford F250 / Banks turbo diesel

dash restoration

Reply #2 –
Having a dash restored by one of the companies you mentioned is expensive,but if you plan to keep the car forever,probably worth it. The cap is a good idea as stated above. Not a perfect fix,but if done right,99% of people won't ever know the difference. If you find a replacement dash with no cracks as i did recently,it's a coin toss. It'll probably crack eventually,it's over 20 years old.The resto dashes will last years and years.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

dash restoration

Reply #3 –
I come from a family of car guys, mostly the kind who noticed if you rubbed patterns into the velour seat (yes, big mistake)

I'm afraid I would notice a dashcap, along with my entire family. Plus this car is very sentimental, so it wont be going anywhere.

I know its expensive, Im guessing between 800-1300$. But didnt know if anyone had experience with a company like this/ thought it was a bad idea.
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

dash restoration

Reply #4 –
My uncle had the dash in his '71 Hemi RoadRunner done by Just dashes and it was as good or better overall than factory. They do a lot of the restoration dashes for people.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

dash restoration

Reply #5 –
If you need a new dash assembly either let me know or Hcor (John) know.  If he doesnt have one I can get him the one you need (correct colors).  I know of a few yards that have cars with perfect and soft dashes.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

dash restoration

Reply #6 –
how much would something like that cost? I assume this would involve me driving to Pa?
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

dash restoration

Reply #7 –
A good non cracked complete dash runs $150. they can be shipped but it isn't cheap.
John

dash restoration

Reply #8 –
Quote from: jandmmustangs;343216
If you need a new dash assembly either let me know or Hcor (John) know.  If he doesnt have one I can get him the one you need (correct colors).  I know of a few yards that have cars with perfect and soft dashes.


Around here?? Don't tease me, I'll be off to the junkyards. :hick:

Seriously, last time I was at a local yard, the TBird/Cougar stuff was non-existent. I wanted to make another run before it got cold but I may be too late now.
tbirdregistry.com
26480
27373

dash restoration

Reply #9 –
I got my dash for $40.00....that included a 3G alternator,some misc. wiring, a spare tire cover from the '86 Bird, and a compass mirror. Good deal for me.

If I had the cash,I would've had mine restored by Just dashes,but it is expensive. When they are done,you probably won't ever have to worry about cracks again. With a crack free,OEM dash, it's still over 20 years old,and the chance of cracks coming along pretty soon are pretty high.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

dash restoration

Reply #10 –
EZ Pull N Save in New Ringgold.  Plus a few other yards.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

dash restoration

Reply #11 –
Of course I solved my cracked dash problem with a Mustang dash swap! I was surprised to discover with the dash being black on top that it is in excellent shape and very pliable from a 13 year old car that was sitting exposed bare to the elements when I found the dash in the salvage yard.

Every single Fox Tbird dash I have come across has been toast. I did find a pretty good 85-88 styled one with just cracks near the defroster outlets. I guess if it was important enough I could have found a better Tbird dash but I like the Mustang dash swap too much now to switch back. I really got caught up in the idea of using the Mustang dash because it was different and an interesting constructive challenge for me. Then there was the added bonus that the rounded styling fit in perfect with the aero look of the exterior while also looking like an evolved look of classic 1958-63 Tbird designs which in fact influenced the dual cowl look of the original Mustang in the first place. 

Of course I always encourage the best restoration possible if you want to keep it original and correct looking. The dashes are the hardest to get restored right so it's worth the extra $$$ for a good restoration of an original dash, especially considering how great your Bird looks in your sig pics!

dash restoration

Reply #12 –
Quote from: rodsterh;343404
Around here?? Don't tease me, I'll be off to the junkyards. :hick:

Seriously, last time I was at a local yard, the TBird/Cougar stuff was non-existent. I wanted to make another run before it got cold but I may be too late now.

For me the good Tbird/Cougar stuff is only existent when I am not looking for something anymore, like months later when the local yards are full of like cars again.

dash restoration

Reply #13 –
If you treat it with vasoline and heat it, the dash with become soft and plyable again like new. The last 6 cars I had all had/have perfect dashes. $40 is a great deal Vin, I would be hard pressed to even pull a dash for that though.
John

dash restoration

Reply #14 –
It's not too bad when you pull them.You can cut everything in the harnesses.It's the prep and re-installation that gets me.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..