'69 Dash pad & gas tank strap questions

[MOBodyman]

Has anyone used the new dash pads with the abs core instead of steel? If so are they ok for a driver? I'm just maintaining this car, not restoring it.

Did the gas tank straps have anything between them and the tank, or were they metal to metal?

TIA,
Dallas

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Can't comment on the dash, but the gas tank straps have nothing in between them and the tank.

 

[MOBodyman]

Can't comment on the dash, but the gas tank straps have nothing in between them and the tank.

Thanks for the reply. Were the straps coated or painted, or just bare steel?

Dallas

 

[eagleone1983]

I think they were plated. They had to be, mine had so little rust there's no way they were bare. I replated mine when I restored the car instead of using new ones. I'm not sure if the dash pad I used is ABS core or not, I bought a repro off B,E& A. I think it looks great.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

If it's just a driver, then you might think about one of the old "dash pad caps" that cover the dash pad. They're cheap & you don't have to disassemble your dash to install them. Also, the tank straps were zinc plated I believe, but you can buy reproductions for most cars & rattle-can paint is OK in my opinion for a driver.

 

[MOBodyman]

My straps were in good shape but had surface rust. I decided to paint them so they won't stand out too much.
My dash pad is so split up and uneven I'm not sure a cap would fit right and not look lumpy or something. Has anyone used a cap on a rough pad?

Thanks,
Dallas

 

[Grady Cain]

Thanks for the reply. Were the straps coated or painted, or just bare steel?

Dallas

Gas tank straps originally would have been galvanized...

 

[Pistol Pete]

I had a (brand new) ABS core aftermarket pad from Year One that delaminated in the sun. They replaced it and before I installed it, I placed it out in the yard for a few hours and it did the same thing.

Either source a good used one or as PB said, look into a cap.

 

[MOBodyman]

I had a (brand new) ABS core aftermarket pad from Year One that delaminated in the sun. They replaced it and before I installed it, I placed it out in the yard for a few hours and it did the same thing.

Either source a good used one or as PB said, look into a cap.

Thanks for the input on the pad. I think I'll just get a cap for now. My pad has the vinyl edges where it's split turned up so that will need to be trimmed down so the cap will fir without lumps and waves in it.
Dallas