1962 Dashpad

[John T.]

Installing new dashpad. Getting conflicting opinions regarding how far (or if) the dashpad should go under the windshield. Your thoughts are appreciated

[Terry D.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

John
You have a PM, check your messages.

Terry

[Jim L.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

John,

For my money, the forward edge of the dash pad should go as far under the windshield as the available material will allow. Doing this "captures" the vinyl and prevents it from pulling away from the windshield if, in the future, it tries to shrink. Ditto for the vinyl around the defroster vents.... leave lots of material here, too.

You know my ratty '60. It was almost 25 years ago that I replaced the dash pad on it, doing the installation as I've just described. For as much sunshine time as it gets, the dash pad has yet to pull away from either the windshield or the defroster vents.

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

Jim nailed it !

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

Getting conflicting opinions regarding how far (or if) the dashpad should go under the windshield.

You want the leading edge of the pad well under the windshield. The more the better. Obviously you don't want it sticking out the front. But there's no downside to getting as much length as possible under the windshield. Of course you only want the top layer of vinyl under there. Trim off the foam, if any. You have to make holes in the vinyl for the windshield frame mounting bolts. The biggest problem with the dash pad is that it pulls out from under the windshield over time.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

You want every cm you can get under the windshield...the Romeo Engineering pad in my '61 didn't have all that much of a front flap (see picture) but I used what was there -- I understand the Al Knoch pads have more material up front. But, its been on there 6 years now in the Florida heat -- no issues! You'll prob find you need to make SMALL cuts at the rounded LH/RH front of the pad in the flap to get it seated down in the windshield channel. I did say SMALL didn't I ? Otherwise they might show... Picked up that tip from the Al Knoch dash pad installation video.

[Terry D.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

The "horror" stories of dash pad installations are gone. The new Al Knoch pad has plenty of material that gets glued under the windshield. The only other glueing is done after the pad is in place and all the other pieces ( mirror, defrosters, dash cluster, etc.) you then trim and glue to the underside of dash pad. I put this job off for two years only to find the new pads fit like a glove, do not need glue everywhere and I had to trim no foam!

Terry

[Stephen R.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

The "horror" stories of dash pad installations are gone. The new Al Knoch pad has plenty of material that gets glued under the windshield. The only other glueing is done after the pad is in place and all the other pieces ( mirror, defrosters, dash cluster, etc.) you then trim and glue to the underside of dash pad. I put this job off for two years only to find the new pads fit like a glove, do not need glue everywhere and I had to trim no foam!

Terry

Boy, that's taken all the fun out of the dash pad install....

[Frank D.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

You still have to cut those narrow holes for defroster ducts, speaker grille, get the end cap areas taut and wrinkle-free. And avoid boogering up the areas around the grab bar brackets.

Still plenty of 'horror' left.....

[Terry D.]

Re: 1962 Dashpad

What Frank says is true, but compared to the old dash pad assembly it is a cake walk! Of course if you want no horror at all you can always hire someone else to do it for you! Then when you are sitting with your car at the local car show or NCRS meet and someone asks you a question about it you won't have a clue as to how to answer him and you'll be just another guy with money wannabe!