this video is a big help for my 74 Camaro project car. Apparently the previous owner didn't watch the video and broke off the plastic lip on the dash pad that holds the lower dash trim on. So now it looks like I need a new dash pad because some plastic tabs are broken off. But thanks to the video I know how to fix the dash.
I will comment on this dash pad. It's a decent part but missing the holes for the center A/C vent and missing the attachment receptacle for the 2 small screws above the instrument cluster. Trying to get screws into this dashpad was very challenging, to say the least. It also does not fit flush with the metal cowl using the recommended attachment clips. I'd bet there's a better product out there that fits more correct with the correct bolt holes predrilled!
To those out there who did this , I'm going to install mine as it came from NPD. Question is, do you need to paint it ? The national parts depo pad came black. It's really close to the lower dash ( that also isn't painted).. did you paint the black dash black before installing it ?
So when these factory pads start shrinking up,will it make them development a sqeak? I have a 73 Z that when it's hot out it drives me nuts , cold no sound? Bought the car new, excellent condition 21,000 miles, can't figure it out please help.
Nice tip on the aluminum tape. On my '72 F100 Ranger, the faux chrome striping around the door panels has almost completely come off. It was like a thin chrome-looking tape glued on plastic. I have thought about trying aluminum tape...looks like with a little effort it will work. This is why I watch AutoRestoMod every week!
I know i am 5 years late to the party on this one. but the reason why NPD made their own Dashpad for the 70-78 Camaro is that the OER version is absolute junk. OER and NPD are the only two companies that make this part. to be honest, the OEM one is better if you can find one that is half decent after 50 years. there is a company called Just Dashes that can restore it for you. it is extremely expensive, so i would only spend that on something really rare, lit a 70-72 SS 396 or a real Z28. anything else is not worth spending that dind of money on and in that case i would use the NPD. I don't like to trash reproduction parts manufactures, but i make an exception in the case of OER's 70-78 Camaro Dashpad. before NPD came out with one, the only one available was OER. this was early 2004ish. so that's what i bought. the first one was 3/4 of an inch short on the driver's side, figure it was defective, sent it back to classic industries. they sent me another, 1/2 inch short on drivers' side, 1/4 short on passenger side. again, figure it was defective, sent back to classic industries, 3rd Dashpad is 1/4 inch short on drivers' side and just over 1/4 inch short on passenger side. plus, there was a flaw in the grain pattern in the center of the dash. again, sent it back to classic industries and this time they are pissed i keep sending them back and i am piss i can't get a good one. after talking to several people there, they tell me that "it is just the way it is with this part. Classic wont refund it because now i have been trying to get a good replacement for over 4 months. and my factory original was too busted up for Just Dashes to fix. so finally get another replacement and it off by 5/16 on the driver's side but everything else fits good. so that is what is in my current car. I am going to refresh the restore on it after 20 years, and I am getting ready to have it repainted and new weather stripping installed. and I think i am going to replace the dash with the NPD version and make it look right this time. to this day OER has not fixed the molding problems with this dash. I have helped several people restore second gen cars and they all buy the OER dash because it is the cheapest. and they instantly regret it when i tell them the problems they will encounter, and it try it anyway and it come true. they end up sending the OER back and getting a NPD version. everyone i have talked to says the NPD version is just about as good and the original GM dash. some people have said there are some slight differences in molding around the instrument cluster and center AC vent. but the non ac version has no issues. also, I have heard that the instrument cluster mounts better in the NPD version compared the OER version.so if you are restoring a second gen Camaro, and its rare (ss396 or real Z28) buy one and cry once and have Just Dashes restore your original. it will cost a small fortune, but it is worth it in the long run. everyone else, get the NPD version. maybe once OER can't sell them they will get around to fixing the issue with this part.
Great vid. When I was 18 I got a 78 rally sport Camaro that had that dash in it. I recently purchased an 81 Camaro I was wondering if the 78 dash would fit in the 81camaro
I just installed the dash pad from NPD I bought install went great. The problem I'm having now is the level with the pad and the metal part that's at the base of the windshield of the dash. Its fine until I get to the cluster part its like a 1/2 in higher. I put the two screws in above where the cluster would rest but still its higher and not even any suggestions??? I can take pictures if you would like to see. I have not installed the cluster yet because Im not happy with the unevenness of the top of pad where it meets the metal.
Hey, I think you emailed me the photos. I woould recommend checking the dash panel first, making sure that the sheet meta l where the dash pad rides is in good shape. If that plays out, contact NPD and send the pic to your sales rep and see what they say.
Thank you for your videos, just keep them coming. Just love it. Thanks to you, i am going to install a hydraulic clutch with a throwout bearing on my 4-speed toploader in my 1964 1/2 Mustang. Cannot wait to try it out. And by the way.. i just saw your video about changing out the inner panel and the radiator support on another video that you have. And what would you know, i removed my battery tray, and voila.. there was rust underneath it. So i bought a complete new panel to replace my inner fender for the battery tray. I would not have removed it, but i am moving my battery to the trunk of the car, so that i why i went ahead and removed anything that has to do with the battery in the engine compartment. Maybe you could do a video on that? Kindest regards Marius from Norway
Have you ever seen anyone take the [ugly] flat dash out of a 79-81 and put the curved dash in? Yes I know you'd have to replace the full instrument cluster
I used a chrome paint marker , came out great no one has ever noticed , everyone thought parts were new
Good idea
this video is a big help for my 74 Camaro project car. Apparently the previous owner didn't watch the video and broke off the plastic lip on the dash pad that holds the lower dash trim on. So now it looks like I need a new dash pad because some plastic tabs are broken off. But thanks to the video I know how to fix the dash.
I will comment on this dash pad. It's a decent part but missing the holes for the center A/C vent and missing the attachment receptacle for the 2 small screws above the instrument cluster. Trying to get screws into this dashpad was very challenging, to say the least.
It also does not fit flush with the metal cowl using the recommended attachment clips. I'd bet there's a better product out there that fits more correct with the correct bolt holes predrilled!
And I'll bet that you're wrong.
To those out there who did this , I'm going to install mine as it came from NPD. Question is, do you need to paint it ? The national parts depo pad came black. It's really close to the lower dash ( that also isn't painted).. did you paint the black dash black before installing it ?
We didn't and won't.
I used chrome spray paint against a qtip and brushed the qtip over the edging and camaro logo on the glove box cover....worked perfectly.
So when these factory pads start shrinking up,will it make them development a sqeak? I have a 73 Z that when it's hot out it drives me nuts , cold no sound? Bought the car new, excellent condition 21,000 miles, can't figure it out please help.
Why don’t they include the dashpad mounting kit with it?
Lot of folks will use the factory fasteners from their old pad.
hope cam get well soon . Great video . Best wishes .
Nice tip on the aluminum tape. On my '72 F100 Ranger, the faux chrome striping around the door panels has almost completely come off. It was like a thin chrome-looking tape glued on plastic. I have thought about trying aluminum tape...looks like with a little effort it will work. This is why I watch AutoRestoMod every week!
I have a 2nd gen F body (Firebird) waiting for restoration to begin. It’s great to see procedures focused on one area.
I know i am 5 years late to the party on this one. but the reason why NPD made their own Dashpad for the 70-78 Camaro is that the OER version is absolute junk. OER and NPD are the only two companies that make this part. to be honest, the OEM one is better if you can find one that is half decent after 50 years. there is a company called Just Dashes that can restore it for you. it is extremely expensive, so i would only spend that on something really rare, lit a 70-72 SS 396 or a real Z28. anything else is not worth spending that dind of money on and in that case i would use the NPD. I don't like to trash reproduction parts manufactures, but i make an exception in the case of OER's 70-78 Camaro Dashpad. before NPD came out with one, the only one available was OER. this was early 2004ish. so that's what i bought. the first one was 3/4 of an inch short on the driver's side, figure it was defective, sent it back to classic industries. they sent me another, 1/2 inch short on drivers' side, 1/4 short on passenger side. again, figure it was defective, sent back to classic industries, 3rd Dashpad is 1/4 inch short on drivers' side and just over 1/4 inch short on passenger side. plus, there was a flaw in the grain pattern in the center of the dash. again, sent it back to classic industries and this time they are pissed i keep sending them back and i am piss i can't get a good one. after talking to several people there, they tell me that "it is just the way it is with this part. Classic wont refund it because now i have been trying to get a good replacement for over 4 months. and my factory original was too busted up for Just Dashes to fix. so finally get another replacement and it off by 5/16 on the driver's side but everything else fits good. so that is what is in my current car. I am going to refresh the restore on it after 20 years, and I am getting ready to have it repainted and new weather stripping installed. and I think i am going to replace the dash with the NPD version and make it look right this time. to this day OER has not fixed the molding problems with this dash. I have helped several people restore second gen cars and they all buy the OER dash because it is the cheapest. and they instantly regret it when i tell them the problems they will encounter, and it try it anyway and it come true. they end up sending the OER back and getting a NPD version. everyone i have talked to says the NPD version is just about as good and the original GM dash. some people have said there are some slight differences in molding around the instrument cluster and center AC vent. but the non ac version has no issues. also, I have heard that the instrument cluster mounts better in the NPD version compared the OER version.so if you are restoring a second gen Camaro, and its rare (ss396 or real Z28) buy one and cry once and have Just Dashes restore your original. it will cost a small fortune, but it is worth it in the long run. everyone else, get the NPD version. maybe once OER can't sell them they will get around to fixing the issue with this part.
Soo how do you upgrade them to cruise control?
We'd probably use the unit that Dakota Digital sells.
Great vid. When I was 18 I got a 78 rally sport Camaro that had that dash in it. I recently purchased an 81 Camaro I was wondering if the 78 dash would fit in the 81camaro
Not sure we can look into that.
No
I just installed the dash pad from NPD I bought install went great. The problem I'm having now is the level with the pad and the metal part that's at the base of the windshield of the dash. Its fine until I get to the cluster part its like a 1/2 in higher. I put the two screws in above where the cluster would rest but still its higher and not even any suggestions??? I can take pictures if you would like to see. I have not installed the cluster yet because Im not happy with the unevenness of the top of pad where it meets the metal.
Hey, I think you emailed me the photos. I woould recommend checking the dash panel first, making sure that the sheet meta l where the dash pad rides is in good shape. If that plays out, contact NPD and send the pic to your sales rep and see what they say.
Thank you for your videos, just keep them coming. Just love it. Thanks to you, i am going to install a hydraulic clutch with a throwout bearing on my 4-speed toploader in my 1964 1/2 Mustang. Cannot wait to try it out. And by the way.. i just saw your video about changing out the inner panel and the radiator support on another video that you have. And what would you know, i removed my battery tray, and voila.. there was rust underneath it. So i bought a complete new panel to replace my inner fender for the battery tray. I would not have removed it, but i am moving my battery to the trunk of the car, so that i why i went ahead and removed anything that has to do with the battery in the engine compartment. Maybe you could do a video on that? Kindest regards Marius from Norway
Thanks for the kind words! We are looking at relocating the battery tray on our '64 Falcon. Stay tuned!
I, for the life of me, cannot get my new lower and upper dash to mate perfectly....ugh!
e-mail me picture and an outline of the issues you are having: jford@autorestomod.com
Have you ever seen anyone take the [ugly] flat dash out of a 79-81 and put the curved dash in? Yes I know you'd have to replace the full instrument cluster
No. But it is an interesting idea...