Another metal dash question

[67merc]

I really like the look of the metal dash. The other post there gives me some questions.

I'm new to body work. How hard is it to get the dashpad out? Is it painted underneath there already? Or should I wait to pull it until I'm heading in for new paint?

Thanks

[FORDification]

The dashpad had embedded studs that insert through holes/slots in the dash and are held on with small nuts on the bottom side. You'll have to pull the instrument panel, radio and glovebox insert out to get to some of them. The dash is already painted, and is probably the most well-preserved section of your whole truck. But filling the holes is going to mess up that pretty finish. The holes along the base of the windshield are going to be kinda hard to fill with the windshield in.

[jor]

One caveat: They don't all look great underneath. My 67 looked like new and I drove it for a long time with an unmodified metal dash (no holes filled). My 68 didn't lool so hot under there after I tool off the pad. I think it spent too many years baking in the Arizona sun and glued itself to the metal. Only one way to find out though. Check it out and takes some photos.
jor

[Big D's 69]

I have weighed out the odds of pulling the dash pad out and filling the holes. I have a nice dash pad and would hate to pull it out and store it but after seeing it I really like it.

[67merc]

Jor, I know you have lots of pics. Any of the dash without the holes filled??? That's probably my level right now.

I'll have to get my kids a digital cam so I can use it to get some pics of my own

[jor]

Jor, I know you have lots of pics. Any of the dash without the holes filled???

Yea, I've got some. I'll post a few tonight.
jor

[jor]

Here's those photos, 67merc.
jor

[jor]

Three more.
jor

[67merc]

Thanks! I think I'm inspired! I'll break it to the family that I'm in the garage on Sunday!!!!!

I'll make sure to take the before and afters!!

[jor]

See if you can get a good shot of the dash surface. The ones I have taken of that area haven't turned out well. You'll enjoy this project. Not too much work but a big return. Good luck.
jor

[hutch1973]

When I had my 68, I ripped the dashpad out. Mine was cracked and broken up. It easily looked better with the metal dash/holes, then the old busted up pad looked.

You can rip the metal grills out of the existing dash pad and reuse them over the defroster vents. Rip them out of the padding, and with some cleaning they'll set right in the defroster recesses and look better then the open duct. Mine even had holes already punched through the metal grills to bolt in. I used stainless screws and it looked tough.

[jor]

One more caveat (that's two for one project!) for 67merc: When you take out your old dash, pop it up on the windshield side first. Pull it straight back to you. This will keep those front bolts from scratching up the front of that nice shiny dash (like I did).

Here's a photo that shows how much room you have to slide the dash back and a close up of what will happen if you don't.
jor

[Big D's 69]

Man I really like that look with no dash pad.

[dotcentral]

My old truck, a 70, did not have a good paint job under the pad. Several thin spots and one large place with no paint, just primer. I think mine was the exception, most people seem to have a full coat of paint on theirs.

[lazyj70]

Merc, I would like to see more pics of your Merc. Just curious what the emblems looked like on the Merc. I guess I have never saw one up close