Interior color help

[Supermike]

I'm bringing this up here because it was referenced in another thread, but I didn't want to hijack the topic and get off subject. Here's the deal:

The original color of my truck was "Frost Turquoise". It is now painted more like the "Arcadian Blue", but I intend to restore it back as close to the original color as I can. Part of the interior is the original color (dash and back of cab), part is the new color (doors and door beams). Don't ask, I don't know.

Here's my dilemma. The interior color of my truck is/was "Dk. Blue/Med. Blue". The seat has been reupholstered blue, and looks good as far as I can tell. The dash is cracked. The door pulls are in bad shape. So I need to replace the pad and the pulls. One of my seat belts (the clip) is broken and has tape wrapped around it.

So, given that I will need to find a new/clean dash pad, new door pulls, and fix the seat belt, perhaps I should just change the color to black? Then I can get a new (repop) dash pad and handles, and don't have to worry about dye. I will need to replace the seat belts anyhow, so that just leaves the seat to be reupholstered. I could even do something black with a complimentary turquoise trim/stitching. Something not so hot (using velour or whatever).

I really like the blue, but I'm starting to think it's going to be too hard to refurbish and find in 100% clean condition. I have a lead on a blue dash pad, but it has splits over the speaker holes. I'm staring to think the black/turquoise combination might not be so bad.

What do you guys think?

[71 LONG BED]

That sounds good to me. I had to change my color too. I had green in my truck and went to black. It still looks real nice. The black and green look better than the crappy green and green.

Just so you know, those new dash pads are $400! If you can get away with a used one that's not that bad, that might be the way to go. That's why these guys are so excited to find old ones in great shape in the junk yards.

[lightning_msd]

why not just have them re-done? in my dentside my dash pad was cracked to hell and for a new one i wouldve paid near 300 for it, but i had my dashpad redone for 65 bucks, something to think about.

[Supermike]

Redone for $65? Who re-did it, and what does it look like (pictures)?

[wildcard]

[lightning_msd]

man i only wish i could get pictures of that truck, i had to let it go. it was a 79 F150 XLT Lariat with a 351C yes a C! i just took it to the local upolstery shop, he said i could do it myself, all you do is peel the old vinyl off down to the foam, if theres cracs you buy that foam in a can stuff, fill the crack and cut it down with a blade, then some 3M spray glue and put the new vinyl on. make sure you have a heat gun to stretch it nicely. if i wouldve done it myself it wouldve cost me 30 bucks for the supplies and all that. but i figgured wth, for the extra 35 someone else can have fun at it. i did my bike seat tho, as he explained it and it turned out damn nice. had to sell that too

[Supermike]

hmm... sounds almost too easy! I'll have to visit the local upholstery shop that does a lot custom work on rods and boats and see what they know...

[GMan]

I should probably start a new thread for this question, but it seems more logical to continue here. Anyway, I posted a picture in another thread of the seat to my 68 F100. The consensus was that it was not the original seat, and I agreed because it was too exotic. It was maroon and white. The interior should be red, which it is, but it has been repainted.

I got by build sheet back from Ford today and they indicated that the truck is a red Custom Cab. The exterior has been repainted in various parts, but it still maintains the general whimbledon white over rangoon red. My question, after this long, drawn out statement is...does anyone know what color and fabric combination my seat should be? I've searched the internet for pics, but to no avail. Thanks.

G

[Supermike]

I'm sure you've done this, but...

From the VIN data plate on your truck (see: http://www.fordification.com/data-1968.htm), you should be able to decipher the interior color and seat material. Check out the box that is called "INTERIOR TRIM CODES".

Maybe if you post here what that says based on color, material type, and code (eg. 54, E4, N4), someone may be able to better help?

Good luck!

[GMan]

Yes, I should have mentioned that. I did look at the decoder and it indicates that interior is red, with vinyl and woven plastic. So which part is vinyl, and which is woven plastic. Thanks.

G

[fordman]

from the pics i seen of your truck the woven plastic would be where you sit at and the other red viynl would be the main color of the seat. i think your seat looks real good.

[GMan]

I'm working on the mechanical stuff right now. I wanted to put the truck back to original as much as possible, but the seat is pretty cool looking. Still debating it. Thanks.

G

[FormerMarine1981]

I'll buy the seat you have and give you another one to recover

[Calvin Gunter]

There is a company called Coverlay that has hard plastic covers for our dash.They come black and can be dyed and you glue them over your stock pad.I have one waiting to go on mine when I rip it apart but I don't remember what it cost because I got my girlfriend to buy it for my birthday.I think it was less than a hundred bucks and looks really nice.They also make trim panels for some years too.Just some more options,Calvin