New or Used Dashpad

[Ripsnorter]

Okay I know dashpads have been discussed ad nauseum, but humor me anyway..

I'm going to rewire my '77. (ugh. seriously. someone do it for me. I'll pay!) and since I'm going to be tearing apart the dash, I might as well fix that nasty cracked dashpad. I know where there's a perfect original that was in a truck but has no cracks or fading, but I'm wondering if I would still be better off to pay the $300 for a Dennis Carpenter. WIll the old one crack a lot sooner and leave me wishing I had bought a new one? I prefer to do something once and do it right.

35 year old vinyl would break down a lot sooner than new I'd think. But I really don't want to spend $300 unless I need to.

[PhantomoftheBumpside]

The old original will definitely start breaking down before a new one.. maybe even while you are installing it...

[Ripsnorter]

That's what I'm afraid of... I'm thinking I should just spend the money to get a new one.

[PhantomoftheBumpside]

Or, weld up the holes, paint it and go NAKED.

[Montana71-F100]

Before spending $300 on a new one maybe this would work: Fill the cracks with that foam that comes in a can, sand it down so it's smooth, then cover it with vinyl upholstery using contact cement to hold it. I've been thinking about doing that with mine.