Black Vinyl Dash Pad, 68-77 Ford Bronco

Review by: mark, May 3, 2020  

I just installed a new dash pad on my 1973 Bronco. It looks great. I would like to pass on a helpful tip, especially for anyone installing a new dash pad on their Bronco that did not previously have one. It took me almost a year after I bought my Bronco to realize it did not have a dash pad. The previous owner must have removed it when they repainted the dash panel and never reinstalled it. Anyway, once I realized that I was missing a dash pad, I ordered a factory style one from Tom's Bronco. I ordered a factory style because I had recently installed one of Tom's Bronco tachometers to the steering column and figured I would need the extra clearance from the 'cut-out' portion of the factory style dash pad. Concerning the helpful tip. When I test fitted the dash pad into place, I quickly realized that the front 'tabs' of the dash pad have screw holes that can only be accessed with the front windshield and frame folded forward and down. "Oh no!!" You see, I had just finished scraping out some silicone chalk the previous owner had used to seal the gap between the leading edge of the top and the top of the window frame instead of using a new gasket; (I will admit that once I had the old silicone sealer removed, I too decided not to go to the trouble of installing a proper gasket and used black seam sealer to fill the gap.) Though I did repaint the top and sealer so it wasn't too obvious. Note, the day before I installed the new dash pad, I had installed a new front windshield and gasket. If I had looked at the new dash pad first, I would have noticed the screw holes and could have at least drilled new holes into the top of the dash pad tabs and secured it that way. Unfortunately that was not the case. Anyway, I got the new dash pad installed and used new screws to secure the bottom edge of the dash pad. Since the top dash pad tabs do 'hook' over defroster vents, the dash pad is pretty darn secure. For some additional holding power, I used two black zip ties. Near the center of the dash, there are two small tabs that go over the defroster vents. I was able to 'fish' the zip ties through the defroster vents and 'tie' down the top of those two dash pad tabs. You have to look pretty hard to see the zip ties so I was happy. Again, what a difference the new dash pad makes. In case you are wondering why this review is so long, I'm writing it as I wait-out our 'stay-at-home' orders here in Arizona ;)

Review by: Jon, Jul 1, 2022  

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT purchase an Early Bronco dash pad from anywhere else! I got burned purchasing by price two times before purchasing this dash pad from Toms. It's a beautiful reproduction and worth every penny over cheaper versions with other vendors.