RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
I'll check them out, thanks 68.
Rusty's not very quiet cuda progress
- Thread starter mopar_man
- Start date
Dr.Jass
Pastor of Muppets
ABS core dash pads are a complete replacement, not a cap. Molding ABS less expensive than stamping a metal core. Of course, the fit is terrible and durability is even worse. ABS does not like the temperatures an interior can reach in summer, so ABS cores are very prone to warpage, with E-bodies and '71-'74 B-bodies being worst-case scenarios. Plan on replacing one within a few years. The steel reproductions don't warp, but the jury on how Asian vinyl lasts over time is still out, and the fit is dicey. With the complexity and expense of E-body dash pads, it's not something you'll want to visit twice.
Year One doesn't "go through" anyone. They sell the above Asian reproductions after getting out of the reupholstering business many years ago. When they did recondition pads, they did not use Just Dashes. YO's were done on the original Chrysler tooling by an outfit in Texas with the same type of machinery the original vendor used. Year One owned the factory tooling. They were, by a long shot, the best on the market.
Year One's pads were stripped down to the bare metal frame, leaving none of the original foam behind. 100% new foam was injection-molded onto the frame via the original process. As shown on their websites, Just Dashes and Legendary actually leave as much of the original, split and rotting foam in place and simply fill between with new. It's how they've always done it. They charge a lot for this service, possibly because it's far more labor-intensive than the original process, with reasonable results. The general hobby opinion of JD and Legendary pads is they're not as crisp in detail and look too "puffy", at least on the E-bodies.
This was something on which I spent months, with Kev's help, to make sure I got the best dash available for my dream car. Asking on E-body sites, direct comparisons of samples at shows, the whole shebang. The best option out there, bar none, is ABC Moparts. His pads are stripped bare, with no original deteriorating foam reused. When I received mine, I compared it to a nearly-flawless original pad that came with my car (but had the wrong speaker count). The injection "tails" were identical in location and size, and other minor flaws present in the OE pad were present in the restored one. ABC has Year One's old tooling. While he will not tell you this, that means it's the OEM tooling. He also has the same company doing the work that Year One did.
As a bonus, ABC's superior pad is much less expensive than either Just Dashes or Legendary. Give Bob a call; he's a great guy both in conversation and business. He'll treat you right--he even sent me a box (I paid the shipping for it, of course) because I couldn't find one big enough for my dash pad. You will need to ship him your core as he appears to be out. He's my go-to for dash pads now, meaning even the lowly '68 Valiant's dash pad is going to him. It's worth it.
If you're shipping out your pad to be restored: Make sure you remove the VIN plate before you do. Do not attempt to drill the rivets; grind them off from behind so they won't spin and scar your VIN tag.
If you're wondering why Year One stopped restoring dash pads: Despite multiple printed warnings and verbal reminders during ordering about not sending the VIN with the dash pad, people were too stupid to listen and sent pads with VINs on them. It was (and remains) a violation of Federal law for them to remove and/or return it. There were E-body pads stacked like cordwood when I was there, several being U and V codes. By law, we were supposed to destroy them but couldn't bring ourselves to do it, so there were a couple of pallets' worth of pad cores lying around for years.
Year One doesn't "go through" anyone. They sell the above Asian reproductions after getting out of the reupholstering business many years ago. When they did recondition pads, they did not use Just Dashes. YO's were done on the original Chrysler tooling by an outfit in Texas with the same type of machinery the original vendor used. Year One owned the factory tooling. They were, by a long shot, the best on the market.
Year One's pads were stripped down to the bare metal frame, leaving none of the original foam behind. 100% new foam was injection-molded onto the frame via the original process. As shown on their websites, Just Dashes and Legendary actually leave as much of the original, split and rotting foam in place and simply fill between with new. It's how they've always done it. They charge a lot for this service, possibly because it's far more labor-intensive than the original process, with reasonable results. The general hobby opinion of JD and Legendary pads is they're not as crisp in detail and look too "puffy", at least on the E-bodies.
This was something on which I spent months, with Kev's help, to make sure I got the best dash available for my dream car. Asking on E-body sites, direct comparisons of samples at shows, the whole shebang. The best option out there, bar none, is ABC Moparts. His pads are stripped bare, with no original deteriorating foam reused. When I received mine, I compared it to a nearly-flawless original pad that came with my car (but had the wrong speaker count). The injection "tails" were identical in location and size, and other minor flaws present in the OE pad were present in the restored one. ABC has Year One's old tooling. While he will not tell you this, that means it's the OEM tooling. He also has the same company doing the work that Year One did.
As a bonus, ABC's superior pad is much less expensive than either Just Dashes or Legendary. Give Bob a call; he's a great guy both in conversation and business. He'll treat you right--he even sent me a box (I paid the shipping for it, of course) because I couldn't find one big enough for my dash pad. You will need to ship him your core as he appears to be out. He's my go-to for dash pads now, meaning even the lowly '68 Valiant's dash pad is going to him. It's worth it.
If you're shipping out your pad to be restored: Make sure you remove the VIN plate before you do. Do not attempt to drill the rivets; grind them off from behind so they won't spin and scar your VIN tag.
If you're wondering why Year One stopped restoring dash pads: Despite multiple printed warnings and verbal reminders during ordering about not sending the VIN with the dash pad, people were too stupid to listen and sent pads with VINs on them. It was (and remains) a violation of Federal law for them to remove and/or return it. There were E-body pads stacked like cordwood when I was there, several being U and V codes. By law, we were supposed to destroy them but couldn't bring ourselves to do it, so there were a couple of pallets' worth of pad cores lying around for years.
b-body-bob
Well-known member
And go ahead and find a set of rivets to replace them sooner, not later.
I've still got one set for the A12 that I got from Bill Overcash, RIP.
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
OK will also check them out, I don't want to be fighting that job for sure! (or ever redoing it)
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Working on the 5' rule she looks good, I put a coat of wax on that top rear section, boy do I have some more buffing to do! 
Got the trunk seal on, didn't make to much of a mess with the nasty silicone. That's why she's popped up in the back.
I couldn't even close the trunk, I raised it all the way up & way high.
Put it down a little somewhat better, now I'll give it some time to squash down a bit ( I hope).
On the other car it only popped up in the pass front, never did get it all the way down?
Got the trunk seal on, didn't make to much of a mess with the nasty silicone. That's why she's popped up in the back.
I couldn't even close the trunk, I raised it all the way up & way high.
Put it down a little somewhat better, now I'll give it some time to squash down a bit ( I hope).
On the other car it only popped up in the pass front, never did get it all the way down?
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
What should have taken about 30 mins. to do both sides turned into 3 hours on one side.
I even tried to prep for this while I was at the paint shop, I thought I bought almost exact replacement screws, turns out the darn things are metric!!!!!!
First I was going to mount the headlight brackets, turns out I never cleaned up the hardware, so that's in the tumbler, found 2 extra bolts so I stuck those at least in place.
The frond headlight splash shield went on fine with 4 original screws YEA!
So I stick on the upper fender bracket & then turn to the rear shield, fought with this for the rest of the day, after fiddling for quite a while with the holes they used It just didn't look right, no matter how I adjusted just off. Finally realized the the last dingbat to put it on made his own holes, lined it up with what looked like the right holes, but one is missing?
So I use al the ones that lined up & wa la, it looks right now, so I drilled a new hole where it was missing, had to use 2 of those metric screws but it's finally on & correct!
I must have made 30 trips in & out of the garage, I hope this will set me up for a smooth quick operation on the other side.
I even tried to prep for this while I was at the paint shop, I thought I bought almost exact replacement screws, turns out the darn things are metric!!!!!!
First I was going to mount the headlight brackets, turns out I never cleaned up the hardware, so that's in the tumbler, found 2 extra bolts so I stuck those at least in place.
The frond headlight splash shield went on fine with 4 original screws YEA!
So I stick on the upper fender bracket & then turn to the rear shield, fought with this for the rest of the day, after fiddling for quite a while with the holes they used It just didn't look right, no matter how I adjusted just off. Finally realized the the last dingbat to put it on made his own holes, lined it up with what looked like the right holes, but one is missing?
So I use al the ones that lined up & wa la, it looks right now, so I drilled a new hole where it was missing, had to use 2 of those metric screws but it's finally on & correct!
I must have made 30 trips in & out of the garage, I hope this will set me up for a smooth quick operation on the other side.
b-body-bob
Well-known member
Are you sue you're going to be able to get the fender on with that bolted to the body? I remember something like that from the Duster but don't remember if it had to be bolted to the fender or the body first, or if it had to be installed after the fender is in place, but it was something.
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
All good, these don't bolt to the fenders, I've had em on & off a couple of times already.
Today went a tad better, shields went on without a hitch, which should have been the case on the other side too, I used the metrics on the big shield & the little one, then I noticed I only needed 3 on the big one & had three merican ones left, so I switched them out, so drivers side is correct in the back & pass side is correct in the front, wonder how many years it will be before my fo par gets noticed!
All merican!
So I got all the hard ware clean & painted the bolts for the bracket I can finish that up tomorrow, the bolt holes on the new fender don't line up as good as the old (orig) one, hope there's enough adjustment left? 
Today went a tad better, shields went on without a hitch, which should have been the case on the other side too, I used the metrics on the big shield & the little one, then I noticed I only needed 3 on the big one & had three merican ones left, so I switched them out, so drivers side is correct in the back & pass side is correct in the front, wonder how many years it will be before my fo par gets noticed!
All merican!
So I got all the hard ware clean & painted the bolts for the bracket I can finish that up tomorrow, the bolt holes on the new fender don't line up as good as the old (orig) one, hope there's enough adjustment left?
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
I'll start with the tedious stuff so I can end on a positive note!
After I primed the last 3 panels I saw this.........
A million little nubs all over the place, this was the worst area, thought THE END!
sprayed the bad top area with guide coat I have 4 coats on this area, see how many of the big gouges I can get out?
A pleasant surprise, the nubs sanded off & there seemed to be primer underneath.
Did hit some black but most of the deep ones ate filled, hoping 2 more coats of primer & I can shoot paint again.
So far its all sticking good, no cracks & I've been flexing the little ones a lot during sanding, I'm hoping they won't peel again?
After I primed the last 3 panels I saw this.........
A million little nubs all over the place, this was the worst area, thought THE END!
sprayed the bad top area with guide coat I have 4 coats on this area, see how many of the big gouges I can get out?
A pleasant surprise, the nubs sanded off & there seemed to be primer underneath.
Did hit some black but most of the deep ones ate filled, hoping 2 more coats of primer & I can shoot paint again.
So far its all sticking good, no cracks & I've been flexing the little ones a lot during sanding, I'm hoping they won't peel again?
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
And now the rest of the story!
Finally nailed my son down & we got the passenger door on & aligned pretty close.
Been a LONG time coming, but at least one side is getting close to done. Now I know I'll put off that door glass as long as possible it will be a battle!
Picking up my friend's buffer so I can get some trim ready & then install the upper seals.
So far the door opens & closes nicely.
Finally nailed my son down & we got the passenger door on & aligned pretty close.
Been a LONG time coming, but at least one side is getting close to done. Now I know I'll put off that door glass as long as possible it will be a battle!
Picking up my friend's buffer so I can get some trim ready & then install the upper seals.
So far the door opens & closes nicely.
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Got the 3 panels primed, thinned the primer down a bit extra, hopefully a light sanding & ready for paint!
Then I set up the buffer, started on one of the upper window trim which again took me about a half hour to find, I thought I was organized guess not as good as I thought.
Any way, top one almost done.
Then I pulled out the bottom windshield trim, wanted to see if some of the deep scratches would come out, no luck there but when done at least it will shine! Almost there!
Then I set up the buffer, started on one of the upper window trim which again took me about a half hour to find, I thought I was organized guess not as good as I thought.
Any way, top one almost done.
Then I pulled out the bottom windshield trim, wanted to see if some of the deep scratches would come out, no luck there but when done at least it will shine! Almost there!
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Can't seem to get a direction, I'm jumping all over the place, the trim started so I could do the upper glass trim & seal.
Turns out the three pieces I didn't do yet are needed for that side. All in all they are looking pretty good couple of minor scratches & dents here & there.
Some of the mess!
Did one side of these, wrong side of course!
So as I'm laying them out I notice my little corner pieces are noy there??
Oh great another 3 hour hunt, so I read my labels on a few boxes, no luck there the I looked at the big box way up in the corner, where some of the trim came from, well miracles do happen, pulled that box first & they were in there!
When the sun hit my layout it showed a few pieces need a little more work, should finish the last 3 & some of that tomorrow, then back to sanding the interior panels & checking to see if I have enough gasket material for the upper trim to go on?
Turns out the three pieces I didn't do yet are needed for that side. All in all they are looking pretty good couple of minor scratches & dents here & there.
Some of the mess!
Did one side of these, wrong side of course!
So as I'm laying them out I notice my little corner pieces are noy there??
Oh great another 3 hour hunt, so I read my labels on a few boxes, no luck there the I looked at the big box way up in the corner, where some of the trim came from, well miracles do happen, pulled that box first & they were in there!
When the sun hit my layout it showed a few pieces need a little more work, should finish the last 3 & some of that tomorrow, then back to sanding the interior panels & checking to see if I have enough gasket material for the upper trim to go on?
b-body-bob
Well-known member
So miracles do happen.
I usually go through every box in the garage before going back to the first one I tried and finding what I was looking for.
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Been there done that, even with all my labels & pics of the tear down I have to go on line to find how a few of the things go.
Don't remember having these problems with the other car, But then again it wasn't 14 years since I took it apart!
Don't remember having these problems with the other car, But then again it wasn't 14 years since I took it apart!
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Trim is about done still seeing a few hazy spots on the big one, but going from top to bottom on them was worth the effort! 
Found another console plate, this one the chrome was a little better than the other, cleaned up ahhhh decent? may be able to just but the 30$ insert instead of a 300$ part!
just about ready!
So I went back to those last 3 panels, kept telling myself on the little ones where they will be their good enough, then picking up the sanding block & doing more, till I finally kicked myself & moved on the one that will be seen.
Got a good start on the sanding here, I think it will be ok, I've been flexing the heck out of the areas that peeled last time, so far no cracking or peeling!
Found another console plate, this one the chrome was a little better than the other, cleaned up ahhhh decent? may be able to just but the 30$ insert instead of a 300$ part!
just about ready!
So I went back to those last 3 panels, kept telling myself on the little ones where they will be their good enough, then picking up the sanding block & doing more, till I finally kicked myself & moved on the one that will be seen.
Got a good start on the sanding here, I think it will be ok, I've been flexing the heck out of the areas that peeled last time, so far no cracking or peeling!
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Finished off the sanding but way too windy to try & paint, so I went back to the roof rail, got the first layer on, then went looking for the seals.
found the leftovers from the other car, but not enough.
Was just about to go in & order a set, then my head actually worked for once, in one of my orders I bought a bunch of seals, sure enough they were there.
So i stripped off the old ones on the outer trim & installed the new
Now I stop, where the heck does the foam one go?
On this set all I got was a thin stick on & rolls of the foam, on the set for the other car there were 2 rolls of stick on, one a little wider than the other & the foam which I still have.
Before I screw up, where does the foam go?
left old set, right new set?????????
found the leftovers from the other car, but not enough.
Was just about to go in & order a set, then my head actually worked for once, in one of my orders I bought a bunch of seals, sure enough they were there.So i stripped off the old ones on the outer trim & installed the newNow I stop, where the heck does the foam one go?On this set all I got was a thin stick on & rolls of the foam, on the set for the other car there were 2 rolls of stick on, one a little wider than the other & the foam which I still have.
Before I screw up, where does the foam go?
left old set, right new set?????????
b-body-bob
Well-known member
Service Manuals – MyMopar
It should be in this one. Somewhere ....
https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1971_Plymouth_Body_Service_Manual.zip
It should be in this one. Somewhere ....
https://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1971_Plymouth_Body_Service_Manual.zip
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Started going thru that, takes a while, no luck yet, but now I may just pull out my book & see if I get lucky?
Still scratching my head I used the 2 stick on ones on the other car but for the life of me can't remember where the wider one went?
Still scratching my head I used the 2 stick on ones on the other car but for the life of me can't remember where the wider one went?
b-body-bob
Well-known member
Some of the books on mymopar are searchable, others are just scanned images in pdf format. The body manual seems to be the latter.
RUSTY Cuda
In over my head!
Went to the body manuel & found about 100 places on those to put "ball" sealer, which I ignored, the main long one seemed to be where I have it, so I went ahead & installed them.
Just hope I never get caught in a downpour!
The back of the drivers side at the bottom looked kinda funky to me, so I waited till I did the other side before I messed with it, the other side is about the same! 
After dropping 2 screws down into the bottom of the quarter panel I finally covered the slot with a rag, good thing I have an "extra screw" stash!
Wind was calm today so I got the last of the panels painted, far from perfect but passible.
Just hope I never get caught in a downpour!
The back of the drivers side at the bottom looked kinda funky to me, so I waited till I did the other side before I messed with it, the other side is about the same! After dropping 2 screws down into the bottom of the quarter panel I finally covered the slot with a rag, good thing I have an "extra screw" stash!
Wind was calm today so I got the last of the panels painted, far from perfect but passible.