Sorry, the difference in a shell vs pad. I'd like to just buy a whole new piece but that doesn't seem to be an option.

 

OPGI apparently has new dash pads in stock at the moment. I would call them first if you want to go that route.
RESTOPARTS - Dash Pad, 1981-88 Monte Carlo/El Camino, 1981-83 Malibu, Stereo Speakers @ OPGI.com
They are usually hard to come by.

A dash pad is usually considered to be the entire dash minus all the trim pieces that get added., new or used.

Then there are also what are called caps. They are used to repair the dash such as yours.
They are just a thin preformed covering that gets glued on over the dash. They come in half or full coverage.
A bunch of work to install properly. But doable. Many on this website have done it. And they look good.

 

I had seen that they were in stock or at least in line to be manufactured. I've been waiting 3 months for insulation pads so I want to get on it while the timeline looks like this year possibly.

 

In the event you go with a shell or cap as some call it, I installed one in my square body truck and it fit perfectly and looks like the main dash. I was very happy with it, thats provided the ones for the el camino fit and look as good, that i can't answer.......

 

I have a cap in my 80 which is the same as yours if you want to see how it looks. Honestly once it’s in you can’t even tell

 

I did a cap. I took the dash out to do it. Cleaned up wiring and duct work. They say you don’t have to take out the dash, but it’s not that hard.
Tom

 

I did a cap. I took the dash out to do it. Cleaned up wiring and duct work. They say you don’t have to take out the dash, but it’s not that hard.
Tom View attachment 166033 View attachment 166034 View attachment 166035

That looks slick. Nice work

 

Has anyone done it on a ‘73-‘77? My dash isn’t great but don’t want to spend the money on them making a brand new one. Hoping shell would be the way to go

 

Has anyone done it on a ‘73-‘77? My dash isn’t great but don’t want to spend the money on them making a brand new one. Hoping shell would be the way to go

I did it myself on my '74.

John 🤘

 

Looks great! So you glued cap on dash then covered it?

 

On a fifth gen, the caps look very good and are relatively cheap and easy. The dash swap is expensive and time consuming once you get one.

Do you want ‘pretty darn good for $200 and an afternoon’ or ‘perfect but it was a long wait, a lot of work and over a grand’?
Patrick

Below is mine; my dad had a shop ‘cap’ it back in the ‘90s. It’s ok for me, and some of the newer caps come further down.

 

Be critical to yourself, make sure the dash is smooth, you see every unevenness trough the vinyl.
Dont be scared to pull realy hard on the material (if you use dashvinyl), the strech is enormeus, and fix it good with clamps while glueing.
It was not a easy job, but very satisfying.

John 🤘

 

I went w the cap. Bought an extra tube of the silicone glue used about a tube and a half. Prepped the dash by cutting down the ridges, filled the big ridges/ valleys w bondo since it gets covered anyway, sanded and cleaned it well w some acetone. The dash pod and gauges will need to removed so freshen it up while it’s out and steering wheel will have to be dropped a bit. Recommend a second set of hands to install once it’s full of glue. Used lots of masking tape, weights and a few clamps. Be sure to prefit it well. I made sure to let it set for a day or two. Some people have complained about ripples etc but I think if you take your time it pays off

 

👌 nice job, looks good!

John 🤘