Dash caps

[redgum78]

Any body use a dash cap with good results?

Obversely they are not as nice as a new pad but my E body is going to be driver and does not need to be perfect.
If a cap can be made to work that also frees up some dollars to inject into other areas on the car.

Anyone done it, got photos, had good or bad experiences?
Does the quality from different suppliers vary or are they all much the same?

Cheers
Dan

[Cuda Cody]

I've not used one, but I've seen a few in person at shows.  They never look great to me.  Always just kinda seems like someone was waiting to do it right or just wanted a less expensive way to cover up a bad dash.  It's one of those things you stare at each time you get in your car.  I would suggest waiting until you can find a good deal on a nice used pad or save to get a new one.   

[HP_Cuda]

If you want to do a driver they look better than a cracked dash but the giveaway is that you see a cutout where the VIN is supposed to be. At around $140 bucks it's not bad if you plan on doing a real dash in 5+ years otherwise I'd agree with Cody and just save up for a good one.

[303 Mopar]

I had one on my '71 Challenger and hated it. Looked cheap, cheesey, and never fit right.  Honestly, I would rather have a cracked dash and save up for a good steel core replacement.

[CudaMoparRay]

First off, I would never argue that a dash cap is as good or as good looking than a real dash replacement but they are in my opinion a great option in certain circumstances.
If your trying to fool a Mopar guy (especially e-bodies.org guys) forget it but if using and it fools regular people and Chevy guys lol they seem to do the job very well.
I have one from Classic Industries that cost about $80.00 after discounts and for my driver it does a more than adequate job of covering what is a split, ripped, tattered original dash eye sore.
Is it perfect, of course not, does it do the job admirably, yes.
Unless the lottery win comes my way, my plan is to keep it as is, otherwise I would buy a complete replacement.
$100.00 compared to a $1000.00-$2000.00 is significant enough for me, having a driver not a concourse, to use that money elsewhere.
Sorry the pictures are not perfect but at least you get an idea. 

[dodj]

Everytime you drive the car, the dash is right in front of you. IMO, don't waste money on a cap. I had a cracked dash and installed a cap. All I could think of while driving was 'this should look better'. So I bought a replacement dash from Dave @ Rosevillle and I'll admit the $ outlay was a bit painful, but, I'm glad I bought it. I'm happy with the way it looks.
I think Dave has some available right now too.

[Roadman]

         Friend of mine had one on his 73 Challenger. Had to look closely to tell. Like @CudaMoparRay said, for a driver that you enjoy driving it makes sense. I think to many people in the hobby get caught up in the hype of perfection, and spend years trying to spend money they don't have, instead of enjoying driving what they can afford.    My lotto tickets are in my pocket.   

[RUNCHARGER]

I've seen a few that looked fine as well. I could see using one on a car with a really bad dash if the car isn't a $20k and up car. On my HemiCuda the pad had no cracks but did have two holes drilled for gauges. I spent a few hundred getting a dash guy to repair it as I wanted to keep the original piece.

[redgum78]

Thanks for the responses guys. I dragged out my old dash pad today and asked myself if I could live with it as it is. It is just too cracked up even for a rough driver. I think I am going to go with the cap for the medium term. If it fits up nice and doesn't bother me too much I will leave it in place. If I hate it I will start saving for a new pad and fit it at a later date. Thanks again for the pictures and the thoughts.

Dan

[HP2]

First off, I would never argue that a dash cap is as good or as good looking than a real dash replacement but they are in my opinion a great option in certain circumstances.
If your trying to fool a Mopar guy (especially e-bodies.org guys) forget it but if using and it fools regular people and Chevy guys lol they seem to do the job very well.
I have one from Classic Industries that cost about $80.00 after discounts and for my driver it does a more than adequate job of covering what is a split, ripped, tattered original dash eye sore.
Is it perfect, of course not, does it do the job admirably, yes.
Unless the lottery win comes my way, my plan is to keep it as is, otherwise I would buy a complete replacement.
$100.00 compared to a $1000.00-$2000.00 is significant enough for me, having a driver not a concourse, to use that money elsewhere.
Sorry the pictures are not perfect but at least you get an idea. 

I agree and this is exactly why I have a cap and not a new dash. Maybe once the kids are out of college, then I'll pursue that new OEM dash pad. Right now, 1-2 grand goes a long way towards something else that is a much higher priority in my world.

[70/6chall]

Because I faced your dilemma a few years back, I had considered the same move and go the cap route. I'm glad I didn't go with the cap, as everyone has said here it's going to be in your face every time you drive it. I will agree with everyone here giving their 2 cents, I'll throw mine in also. I truley lucked out when a good friend of mine gave up on his '70 Challenger R/T project. I was able to purchase, as a good guy deal, his plastic wrapped up, in the garage, OEM black, non-air, 3-speaker (with grills and speakers) '70 Challenger unblemished dash pad for the princely sum of $100. Sometimes your just in the right place at the right time. Will I take care of it? Oh Yes!
        Thanks,   Al

[redgum78]

unbelievable: Thats the deal of the decade!

Because I faced your dilemma a few years back, I had considered the same move and go the cap route. I'm glad I didn't go with the cap, as everyone has said here it's going to be in your face every time you drive it. I will agree with everyone here giving their 2 cents, I'll throw mine in also. I truley lucked out when a good friend of mine gave up on his '70 Challenger R/T project. I was able to purchase, as a good guy deal, his plastic wrapped up, in the garage, OEM black, non-air, 3-speaker (with grills and speakers) '70 Challenger unblemished dash pad for the princely sum of $100. Sometimes your just in the right place at the right time. Will I take care of it? Oh Yes!
        Thanks,   Al

[HP2]

No doubt that was a steal of a deal.

Maybe I'm not particular enough, but aside from the vin plate indent, I don't think my cap looks that bad at all from the driver's seat. Mine is smooth and flat everywhere it should be. A/c register fit is fine. Its edges are all trimmed up and align with the OEM edges. Name plate fit is good. Speaker grill fit is good. To most casual observers, it looks like a good dash.

Obviously personal preference is a big factor here and if you tend to obsess over small details on your car, a cap may not satisfy your needs.

[redgum78]

No doubt that was a steal of a deal.

Maybe I'm not particular enough, but aside from the vin plate indent, I don't think my cap looks that bad at all from the driver's seat. Mine is smooth and flat everywhere it should be. A/c register fit is fine. Its edges are all trimmed up and align with the OEM edges. Name plate fit is good. Speaker grill fit is good. To most casual observers, it looks like a good dash.

Obviously personal preference is a big factor here and if you tend to obsess over small details on your car, a cap may not satisfy your needs.

Hey HP2- I am pretty sure I am gonna go with a cap for now for all the reasons mentioned....mainly cost (and the fact that it can fairly easily be replaced later if i am really not happy with it). I think it is worth a try. One thing you mention is the Name plate is a good fit. Is yours a Challenger and what year? Mine is a 70 Challenger which I think has a different dash emblem to the 71-74 Challengers. Would you mind taking a snap of the name plate and posting it?

[HP2]

Mine is a '74 and it has a rectangular nameplate, about 3x1, that fit into the corresponding 3x1 indent, and the Challenger script is on the plate. The '70s have just a script nameplate, so this could be the source of discontent among earlier model dash cap users.

I'll try to get some pics up if time allows this weekend.