Topic: 69/70 Dashpad

[rcgt350]

I?ve been observing the 69/70 Dashpads more recently, I was already aware of the two assembly line versions of Utica and The Davis Rubber Co, but then came across one with a heat stamping of G593F where Utica would be stamped, I read on one of the forums where a fellow had one that he claims came in the Ford box as a service part,
Ford obviously offered it after the cars getting the other two originals on assembly, could these ones then be the service units?

Thanks
Randy

[Coralsnake]

First, I don?t know the answer to your question, but it would make sense to me that if you were building hundreds of thousands of cars at three separate plants, there would be multiple suppliers.

[J_Speegle]

Through the decades Ford would sign new contracts for the supply of service parts by either the same earlier suppliers and or from new ones. That is the reason we get different looking parts found in the NOS supply lines. Don't know of anyone that is studying the differences at this time.

Would need more than one example and claim before I would consider the claim but that is just me

[specialed]

The assembly line type is heat stamped cutouts around the 2 defroster vents and is a much cleaner look when u look thru the windshield especially around the corners area. The  ford service type pads had hand cut outs like a knife was used and end up looking squared off corners and the  hand cutouts are not always truly straight like the assembly line heat stamped cutouts are all exactly the same.  I only ever found 1 NOS assembly line type dash pad and it was in an AUTOLITE FORD box that was found long ago in an old ford dealership attic.

[rcgt350]

So if you went in to Ford and ordered a replacement dash pad, would you get a Utica , or Davis Rubber Co or neither as the way Im understanding it they were the assembly line suppliers, right?
Or would you still get one of those?
If not then what would you expect to see for a heat stamping on a Ford Service Type Dash Pad? Does the G593F fall into this time frame supply?

[Scott302]

69-70 Dash pads were also produced by Goodyear.  In fact, the last production contract from Ford for these pads was done by Goodyear.  After that Ford discontinued them and the tooling was later picked up for use under license by Universal Urethane (Dashes Direct).  I have a VHS tape of part of the production process of these dash pads done at Goodyear just before the line was shut down.  It is quite eye opening to see the scrap rate if the oven heated vinyl sheet doesn?t lay over the dash pad form just right.  VERY labor intensive.
You have to keep in mind that parts produced for Ford for use as Service parts were not the same as what was used on the assembly line.  Corners were cut where possible to reduce costs. 
I had a conversation many years ago with an Engineering VP old timer at Wolverine Die Cast.  WDC was a huge supplier to Ford and GM for die cast emblems.  He told me how they skipped the trimming and filing of the emblems to cut costs per the Ford contract.  Ford just wanted the parts cheaper and didn?t care for having them finished the way they were done for the parts used on the production line. 
Regards,
Scott

[Bossbill]

Can you share the video of how the dashes were made?

[tgilliam]

I purchased a new (service part) dash pad from my local Ford Dealer in the late 70's (maybe 1978) and it had the UT and dots (Utica). The original one in my car, 70 Boss 302 w/January build date, also had the UT with dots. At the time I did not think anything about it but later had two 69 Mustangs and neither one had the Utica dash pad. I bought another dash pad in about 1985 (lived in a different area, from a different Ford Dealer) and it was also UT with dots. For a long time I thought it was a 69 vs. 70 thing.

Tom Gilliam
(270) 755 -6417

[rcgt350]

So thats interesting, all this time I was led to believe that the Utica piece only came on the assembly line, does Dashes Direct still make them?
The G593F I have came from Just Dashes in 2000'

Randy

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Scott for sharing

[Daven]

Does Just Dashes repair your dash while Dashes Direct sell new dashes or do they both sell dashes?  I'm looking for a better made dash.  The original dashes fit better and were finished all the way around the edges where the gauge assembly goes back in.  I know just black is made now.  I have a black dash that says KZ 2.  It also has a 9 A/C in molded rubber.  I'm assuming it's aftermarket. 

Daven

[rcgt350]

Daven
 Your dash pad is made by the Davidson Rubber Co , which was another supplier to Ford, I think it reads KZ7
Could the A/C indicate an AC dash?

[Daven]

Thank you rcgt350!  now I have options of which one to restore. 

Daven