Dashpad Trimming

[Yellowbird]

I've got the dashpad installed on my '58. Slowly but surely putting things back together. I was getting ready to mount the Hood Release Handle. Since I did not have a good example to start with, I want to make sure I leave a good example for the next owner.

Right now, the dashpad comes under the dash frame and covers the mounting holes for the Hood Release.

Do I leave that part of the dashpad there and punch holes in it to mount the handle and hold the dashpad in place in that area?

If I do, does that effect the mounting of the valance to the console and by the driver side door?

I would appreciate any insight that anyone may have who has done this before.

Thank you.
Leonard

[YellowRose]

Dashpad Trimming

Leonard, have you taken a look at the several entries in the TRL on replacing the dash pad? Perhaps the answer to your question might be contained in one of those. One of them was by Alexander, and there are several others. If you find the answer to your question, please let us know what it is. Thanks, and good luck!

[jopizz]

Leonard,

Yes, you should leave the pad at the bottom of the dash and punch holes for the hood release bracket. I don't remember having to cut that part of the pad to mount the lower dash surround.

John

[Yellowbird]

Thank you John!

[Dakota Boy]

'58 and early '59 dashes were different than the later 59s and 60s. Quite a bit of the reproduction dash pads are trimmed away on the '58s. See how there is no dash pad material that runs in behind the instrument panel or the glove box door. (it is clearly visible if you look just to the right of the clock.)

[Dakota Boy]

Here's another pic. The one side has been trimmed and fitted to the C-shaped metal piece already. That piece has threaded rods on it which are then used to hold the dash pad to the metal dash frame. I didnt have these pieces when I got my car, and the dash pad was new, but wasnt installed properly. I was able to get the "c" shaped metal mounting pieces from partsetal on this site. Should you choose to work on the living room floor like I did, I recommend doing it when the wife is gone for the weekend!

[Dakota Boy]

Trim the foam backing away with an exacto knife, then fold over and glue to the metal strip

[Yellowbird]

Thanks for the pictures Dakota Boy.
Do you trim any of the pad away on the bottom (under the instrument panel or glove box)?

Also did you use an adhesive to hold the pad in place below the radio and where the console comes up to meet the dash?

Thanks.
Leonard

[Dakota Boy]

For a '58's dash frame, you have to trim away quite a bit of the reproduction pads. These pads were designed for late 59 and 60 dashes. Under the radio, I left just enough so that the access door overlapped the pad. At the glove box, again you will see that the pad only covers the "leading edge" of the metal dash frame. Nothing is even close to the glovebox door, and nothing is underneath it either. The exposed metal on your dash frame is painted to match the interior. In my case, I used Eastwood Underhood Black.

[jopizz]

Leonard,

I believe that your dash frame was replaced at one time with the later style; is that correct? If so then you don't trim any padding from the bottom. If your dash pad goes all the way to the instrument panel then you shouldn't remove any padding from underneath. I use no glue under the dash or where the radio opening is.

John

[Yellowbird]

John,
Yes it is the newer style. However under the area of the radio and where the console comes up to meet the dashpad, it doesn't appear that the console part that goes around the heat control will hold that part of the pad up. So I was wondering should I glue that portion.

Thanks
Leonard

[jopizz]

Leonard,

The radio cover plate should keep the pad tight underneath that area and the hood release bracket usually keeps it pretty tight under the instrument panel. If you want to glue it to make it fit better that's certainly ok to do. The factory didn't use much glue to keep the dash pad in place but they did thousands of them so they had it figured out. I would say the neater you can make it look the better.

John

[Yellowbird]

John,

Part of the problem is my dash did not have the radio plate. I'll contact Carl to see if he has an extra.

Also while doing this I have removed the door panels to repair a broken window. The locking mechanism on the driver side never worked, I found that the door lock for the key is not connected to anything. Can the "cog" on the back of the key cylinder be replaced and linkage purchased or do you have to buy a new lock?

Thanks.
Leonard

[YellowRose]

Dashpad Trimming

Hi Leonard, you can probably make that plate. Alexander made one for the convertible map light that he (and I) used underneath the radio. He has a tech tip on how to make that plate, though it has cut outs for the light assembly and the switch. You should be able to make a plate without any of the cut outs. Check out the TRL, if Carl does not have a spare plate.