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While you have the steering column out, make sure the gear selector at the bottom of the column is lubricated and the entire selector moving smoothly both up and down and around.

2 grand is crazy. Remember the original foam was like 1/2", they were quite cushy

If you have a local guy do the pad also tell him to watch the contour of the foam padding under the dash pad if you have or are going to install factory AC. The padding over the metal on the side of the center depression nearer the windshield is overall perhaps a bit thicker than the portion thru the depression and on the side of the curve nearer the seat. If the padding is shaped correctly the AC ducts will be raised a small amount near the windshield which will in effect tip them backwards a bit. That will provide better clearance for the portion of the duct under the dash and will move the bottom away from the instrument cluster so the rubber duct from the evaporator can be installed plus provide clearance so there is no interference with anything on the cluster. The pad in Pete's Caribbean which was done by Just Pads looks very good but apparently the padding is a bit thin with an overall consistent thickness so the duct sits flat. The lack of tilt in the drivers side duct caused Pete a lot of grief with the bottom side of the duct. There was not enough clearance to slide the rubber duct from the evaporator on so he had to thin an area and cut a notch in the rubber. He also had an issue with having the back edge of the duct hit the turn signal bulb assy.

One issue wth having a local upholsterer do the work is he will need to sew the two pieces together at the narrow area across the visible edge of the dash. The factory item was molded to sort of look like a stitched seam but it was turned into a solid piece. A two piece pad with actual stitches does become apparent. In the photo my guy did a great job on the pad and in trying to duplicate the molded look but the stitched seam is different enough from factory to become noticeable and be called out in a show.