Matt -
A couple of recommendations:
1. Make sure to install/insert the cast aluminum Astradome lid into the dash pad before you attempt to secure the pad to the underlying metal base; be careful when fastening screws - particularly if you’re using replacements that are longer than originals - as they can poke through the dash pad top as you turn
2. Cover the metal tabs at the rear of the pad with painters tape or some other protective material to avoid scratching the underlying metal base…a real bummer, particularly if you have fresh paint. You can remove once in place.
3. Retain the metal strip with studs from your old pad, the one that is embedded in the pad foam near the glove box…the new Autoline pad does not come with this metal strip/posts and you will need it to fasten the pad to the underlying base near the top of the glove box door (using speed nut).
4. This is very important. When you get ready to install the dash pad, do NOT remove any excess vinyl near either the speaker grill or the transmission/HVAC controls despite given the appearance that the vacuum molding is formed in a dimensionally correct manner. Using my old pad as a template, I removed the excess vinyl around the transmission/HVAC controls only to find that the dash pad, once installed, would not seat correctly and I now had about a 3/8” gap between my new pad and transmission/HVAC controls. I contacted Autoline and through a series of emails, I was told to uninstall the pad, acquire a cheese grater or some other tool capable of removing excess material, and shaving off a sufficient amount of backing foam until the pad seated correctly. I will refrain from expressing my position concerning the quality of the product, given Autoline’s price point and time to manufacture, suffice to say I wasn’t paying for a new pad or needlessly delaying the return of my car to the road for another year. I was able to improvise a fix that I can live with and press on.
Good luck!
Kurt
On Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 10:48:23 AM UTC-5 Matt Allyn wrote:
While the Astrodome is out…..
I plan to replace the Dash Pad; as I have a replacement pad from Autoline.
Do you have any helpful hints I may wish to consider in the process?
I know I need to remove the:
Speaker
Dash Mirror
Metal at the base of the windshield
A/C & Trans. Bezels
I assume the vertical stainless pieces
I know there are nuts, holding onto threads that are embedded into the dash pad to spin off.
I know there are metal tabs that are at the front of the pad, meeting the steel under-dash area.
Any other hints / advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
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