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Topic: Dash Cap for 87 Bird (Read 5052 times) previous topic - next topic

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

I am looking to buy a plastic cap for my 87 Turbo Coupe. Of course the three manufactures all say theirs is the best. I am hoping to get input from someone who has actually purchased one and has had it installed for a couple years. I hate that I have to put one on, so I am looking for the best looking and most durable cover. Anyone have any experience with the different brands? Any pictures with the cap installed?

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #1 –
Coolcats.net. has an excellent write up with install pictures and compares the grain and fit to other styles.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #2 –
I wish you were close. I have a crack free dash on top of my cabinet in the garage. I would bet the dash caps are all made by the same place, but sold through different dealers. I have one in the garage from my last Bird. They can be made to look very nice with some patience and time.
'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 Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the info. Was the write up under Modifying:Dash Repair or was there another article also?

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #4 –
How close are you to Goldsby

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #5 –
I just looked up Ardmore. You are real close to Goldsby. I have a sister-in-law that lives in Goldsby. Somebody in the family is usually out there a couple times a year. Is the dash something you would consider selling? I have an 85 Turbo Coupe I bought new and an 87 Turbo Coupe I have had since 91. The 85 sits in the garage so the dash is in good shape, for now. The 87 dash cracked last year. I waited until it cracked before I replaced the heater core. I figured if it was not cracked before I ripped the dash apart, it would be afterwards

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #6 –
Of course I'd sell it. Mine is crack free in the Sport (It's the second dash for the car). It's dark blue in color. Awesome shape. Came d=from a minty, super low option '88 I got to pull apart a while back. Not sure where Goldsby is. I'll look it up.
'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 Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #7 –
http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/dashtop.html

I remembered a side by side comparison of grain differences, but I don't seem to see it now. maybe I made it up.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #8 –
 cracks

I put a dash cover on mine thanks to this thread I remember them ...... Ftl lmao

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #9 –
how pr0ne are the 87/88 dashes to cracking?  The 83/84 always had a seam split in the middle, my 87 cat the dash is perfect, i was kind of in disbelief when i saw it.  None of the usual wear associated on these cars.








1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #10 –
You will be hard pressed to find an '87 or '88 that doesn't have a cracked dash. Yes, there's a few out there, I have one in my car, one in the garage, but those are the only two I have seen around here in years. I found them 4 years apart as well. Most all of them are damaged.
'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 Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #11 –
I got my car in 2011 and the Interior was PERFECT.  No dash cracks.  As soon as it became a daily driver in 2012, it began to crack. :(

I need a dash cover myself.
'88 Thunderbird LX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Engine:  FR B303 cam, GT40P heads w/ Trickflow valve springs, Explorer upper/lower intake, SR cold air intake w/ MAF
Exhaust:  shorty headers, BBK O-R X-pipe, glasspacks w/ turn downs
Misc:  8.8 rear, Saleen SC replicas 17x8/17x10, Mach 1 front springs/SN95 rear springs
&
'74 F100 Custom 351W

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #12 –
Had my dashcap for about 5 years now.....looks factory.

The stock dashes are notorious for cracking in these cars.  Mine was so bad in some spots I could actually push my finger through it.  I cut all the rotten and cracked spots out when I capped it.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #13 –
Quote from: MY83T;430204
how pr0ne are the 87/88 dashes to cracking?  The 83/84 always had a seam split in the middle, my 87 cat the dash is perfect, i was kind of in disbelief when i saw it.  None of the usual wear associated on these cars.


Quite pr0ne. Cover the thing in your 87 XR7 or condition it frequently. My Thunderbird's was prefect till I replaced the heater core 10 years ago. Then it cracked. I've got a dash cap on it now. Looks factory again.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Dash Cap for 87 Bird

Reply #14 –
Cut away the high areas.
'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..