Just Dashes First hand info WTD

[Gearbox]

Looking for anyone who has recently had a dash recovered by by Just Dashes. They are quoting close to $800 now and closing the gap to OEM in pricing. They cliam to be concour quality and better than OEM with a lifetime guarantee. I have a perfect NOS speaker grill and I'm concerned that the dash won't match in grain or finish. Also, may have them recover my door arm rests as well. Pictures of dashes from them would be helpful, but frank comments from recent customers would be better. Looking for comments on fit, finish, satisfaction, closeness to OEM, and turnaround time. They told me about 8 weeks, but I have heard as much as 6 months. Thanks Allan

[Zeke]

I did a search on "just dashes." More than you can read for one sitting. Apparently you did this too, because I saw the same info as you indicate. Slow, expensive and doesn't match perfectly. What else do you need to know?

I will edit this to say JD can be slow, expensive and not match perfectly just to be fair.

[Joe Bob]

If your worried about matching and concour quality...why buy anything but oem? In the final run....the cost of the part is the least of the expense of the install...ever done one?

Major PITA and labor intensive.

[lateapex911]

I did the same research. And I called them. Don't forget shipping is pricey on such a large object, and packaging is mucho important. Very common to have dashes damaged in transit.

For me, it was going to cost about 900, and the car would be down months. And the dash wouldn't look good...they tell you it's "close but not exact" on the phone.

They seemed rather disinterested when I called, as soon as I told them they make of car.

[pwd72s]

I'm beginning to wonder if they really want the P-car biz. Maybe the early 911 dash is more work than say a 1969 Camaro? Several years ago now, they did a 1971 Dash for my friend Evren. I thought it came out very nice, but delivery time was slow. The dash was stored here until we could figure out a way to get it to Istanbul. I compared it with my original dash, thought it looked damned good. The cost then was $425, if memory serves. Those of you plugging the factory dashes should do a search over on the S registry board...some people experienced fitment problems big time with them...

[Gearbox]

Milt - Yup, did a search, but I did read all 7 pages (Thunderstorming here in the NE). Didn't find anyone who commented on quality who actually had one done and installed on there car. Lots of hearsay, and third party accounts. Was looking to see if anyone here had actual experience and comment on how good or bad.

MikeZ - Yup, installed few over the past 25 years. Not a terrible job, just time consuming. Always used OEM dashes when they were plentiful and less expensive (way back) but never had any problems. However, the reason I brought this up was the increasing rumble of disatisfaction with the new OEM dashes. Big problems with fit around the vents and were it meets the glass. I questioned Stoddard about this and they confirmed this by saying it was hit or miss and suggested taking a knife and slicing between the vinyl and frame structure to remove foam and then glue it back together. Then I asked if was returnable if I slipped and poked a hole in the vinyl, they were not amused, neither was I.

lateapex911 - I guess I spoke with a different person. Guy I spoke with said it would be concour quality and they stood behind it with a lifetime warranty. That's what got my attention.

pwd72s - You might be right. I finished restoring a 1970 GTO Ram Air III last year and took it several shows. Judging was not anything close to the Porsche Club Concours where the judges go around with white gloves and swipe every inconcievable spot and check the least conspicuious nut and bolt on the car. Muscle car guys are more excited about chrome and how loud it is. You should see how the crowd gets riled up when when an open headered car starts up to leave. Some what surreal. So I do agree, they probably get less returns and complaints from Muscle car guys and replicating 1960's GM, Dodge, or Ford dashes might be easier.

So, anyone out there with a Just Dashes Dash sitting on there car that could comment? Thanks Allan

[pwd72s]

Evren's car is currently in an Istanbul body shop, stripped. The dash & interior not back in. But I'll send him a link to this thread, maybe he'll weigh in. Seriously, I thought his repaired dash looked darned good when it was here. Once installed, a concours judge would have a hard time telling it from original.

[Evans, Marv]

I have one in the box ready to install in my car. Haven't opened it up yet. Like I said before, it took 6 months to get it back and that was after calling them and letting them know I wasn't happy about the delay. I should be putting it in my car in the next couple of months. It cost about $450 to $500 at the time if I remember right. They might not be too anxious about doing old P-car dashes. The reason they gave me for the delay was that they were waiting for some more to come in to make a run out of them. Could be the few that come in make it a pain for them to disrupt operations to get them done. The increase in price might reflect that. If it's that expensive, I'd look around for a NOS somewhere, buy a new OEM or try to cover the one I had. Good luck.

[Joe Bob]

Oh puhleeeeze....disrupt the operations? Charge extra....6 months turnaround is BS.....

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by mikez
Oh puhleeeeze....disrupt the operations? Charge extra....6 months turnaround is BS.....

Could very well be BS, but the choices seem to be getting limited, especially in light of the serious fitment issues with the new "factory" replacements.

[Joe Bob]

I've had a few dashes done locally...they turned out nice and matched my upholstery.....of course I'm no Concour Weenie. And if I ever do my wife has orders to shoot me.

Or is that in the event of brain damage....note to self...check living will for loopholes.

Hmmm, brain damage/CW...same diff....

[Bobboloo]

I've got a Just Dashes dash in my 73'. IMO it doesn't look OEM at all. It looks nice but wouldn't fool even the dumbest concours judge.

I had it done for my 71'S but after I recieved it I knew I couldn't use it for the 71'S resto so it went on my bastard 73' car.

I then ordered a factory unit from Stodards and I guess I got lucky. It looks great but I've seen others that are embarassing bad.

Here's a thread on the Early S board with pictures of the Just Dashes unit in my car compared to an old factory replacement dash.
http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8067&highlight=dashes

Here's a thread on the new factory units. Very informative.

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9125&highlight=dashes

[Gearbox]

Thanks Boboloo, that was exactly the info I was looking for, should have also searched the early registry site. Seems that speed, quality, and ease will direct my budget for an OEM dash. It will be a roll the dice, but I'm pretty good at making things work (just didn't like the idea of poking a knife through the dash, but if new bolt holes is all that it needs, no sweat). I do have a brand new NOS speaker grill for your car. I bought it from a Porsche obsolete parts dealer in Ca. and it was his last one. This was when I was contemplating restoring my dash with Just Dashes and I didn't have one. Since the OEM unit comes with one, this one would be superfluious to my needs. E-mail me if you are interested. Thanks again Allan

[fryardds]

You should take a look at this thread about a dash recovered by Autobahn Interiors. Tony at Autobahn charges $375 and looks like he does a very nice job.

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10694&highlight=autobahn

[Evans, Marv]

Mike,
Not BS. Just my experience with getting my dash from them.

[evren]

Getting ready to install mine over the next couple of months -- as Paul said it did take a long time to get back from Just Dashes, but the end result looks very good to me. Will post pictures once the restoration is underway.

[Bobboloo]

Gearbox,

I noticed that you also have a 71'S. So that means you'll have to drill a couple of holes in the metal dash frame to fit the factory replacement. I had to do this for my car.

The reason is the factory changed the spacing for the studs in the dash around 72' or 73'. The new replacement dashes from Porsche have the later style spacing so be prepared. It's not a big deal but I thought I would mention it.

The Autobahn solution looks like a great option when original look isn't a big criteria. Way cheaper than Just Dashes and looks as good if not better IMO.

[Gearbox]

Hey Boboloo, thanks for the heads up. Aligning and drilling holes will be no problem, cutting up a new dash is another thing. But I just called Stoddard and checked availability and will be placing my order this week. Let the dice roll, new shooter on deck. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks again Allan

[dtw]

Just for giggles, what's the latest pricing and availability?

[Gearbox]

Immediate availability (they have a bunch), $1149.42 List. Speaker grill included but not available separately. But I got first dibs.