Anyone here use the new Covans Thunder Road dash insert. I purchased one for my 73 and I had to rework the insert and trim my dash for 3 1/2 hours before I could get the mounting holes to line up. What's worse is that once the mounting holes lined up the drop-off's around the steering column were shifted 1/2" too far to the right. I would have to cut them off to make the insert work properly.

I called John Covan himself and his customer service is great! His inserts are made from an original dash. He claims every dash insert is made and checked in a fixture for fitment and I belive him. I just don't understand why my dash would be so different. Admittedly, I have assembled this unit on a bench but that should not affect fittment the way I am having issues. The major problem is that the right side mounting holes are not far enough right on the Covans piece to allow the steering column area to line up properly. Has anyone had any experience with this assembly? Were your results the same? What the heck should I do? Get a piece of aluminum and start hacking away. I really want my Autometer gauges but sheesh, I really seem to find the problem parts.

Thanks for all your replies.

I called John Covan himself and his customer service is great! His inserts are made from an original dash. He claims every dash insert is made and checked in a fixture for fitment and I belive him. I just don't understand why my dash would be so different.

He's full of cow dung IMO.

mine has the same problem, and I know numerous others that did also.
I'm not happy with the alignment of the holes.....but outside of that it's nice.
I just hope I don't have to get drill happy to "rig" it to work.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f122/Aceshigh22/LS1%20Implant/GaugeBezelcompletedSep2009.jpg

I am speaking of this new issue dash.

http://www.covansthunderroad.com/products/sfID1/7/sfID2/11/sfID3/62/productID/698

I just went and cut off the lower steering column drop-offs. Could look better but what choice do I have. An aluminum bezel wouldn't have the drop-off's.

Just another part for our cars that is hit or miss.

Lookie see. (Before I cut off the drop-off's)

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/ctimanus/IMG_1914.jpg


http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/ctimanus/IMG_1912.jpg

sorry but EWWW its green :rolleyes: im just messing with you... by the way my repop dash sux so that could be part of the problem if they are using original dashes then that could eplain the issues. my original cluster didnt fit in my repop dash for crap, maybe its just mine. i think i ordered it from NPD

my original cluster didnt fit in my repop dash for crap, maybe its just mine. i think i ordered it from NPD

Same here. I had to convince it to fit. I was afraid my old insert was going to break trying to line it up. You have 2 issues at once. New dash AND new insert. Double trouble. Do what you have to do to get it to fit or send it back and start over.


B

my old insert did break...it actually broke the mounting tabs off of the cluster

That's the original GM dash!:)

Same here. I had to convince it to fit. I was afraid my old insert was going to break trying to line it up. You have 2 issues at once. New dash AND new insert. Double trouble. Do what you have to do to get it to fit or send it back and start over.


B

^^You get that to fit and it's going to look badazz!! :cool:

I've got it as close as anyone can hope in the pics above. I just cut the drop-off's off so the steering column would pass through.

^^You get that to fit and it's going to look badazz!! :cool:

I've got it as close as anyone can hope in the pics above. I just cut the drop-off's off so the steering column would pass through.

Check out Doug's (Keizer) gauge panel build. He cut the stock piece off to use on his custom panel. Might be helpful.

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75365

it is a good looking gauge pod any thoughts on what type of gauges your going to use...i personally like sport comps because i like have a mech speedo, with short and full sweep elec gauges

American Muscle Gauges.

BTW, Doug makes me jealous of his skills.:)

I wouldn't cut anything until the dash is mounted in the car. I'm not saying it will definitely fit, but they can distort when mounted in the car.

American Muscle Gauges.

BTW, Doug makes me jealous of his skills.:)
Looks like all Mustang parts?

oh yea those american muscle gauges look pretty cool a nice retro feel to them

I wanted to update this thread and show how far Covan is going to help me. John is sending me a hand picked new dash insert to try. When I receive it I will let everyone know if the fittment is any different. I sure hope it is, cause I love the layout on this insert.

Thanks for posting. It is always good to hear about how vendors handle issues. Looking forward to seeing it installed.

bet your glad you hadnt cut up your dash yet

Not sure what you mean about cutting up the dash. I had to take a dremmel to my dash in five different places to make clearance for the insert. I still left the mounting points for the original cluster but I took a good bit of reinforcement away from them.

Not sure what you mean about cutting up the dash. I had to take a dremmel to my dash in five different places to make clearance for the insert. I still left the mounting points for the original cluster but I took a good bit of reinforcement away from them.

I had to do the same thing with my repo dash to make the old style Covans panel fit the way I wanted. I didn't have to but the fit is allot better now. Once I got it all together with the gauges installed it was good and tight.

John is sending me a hand picked new dash insert to try. When I receive it I will let everyone know if the fittment is any different. I sure hope it is, cause I love the layout on this insert.

I hope it fits for you, and if indeed it does, it speaks volumes about their quality control.

I was so afraid of this exact same thing happening to me. That is why I went the route I did. That is installing the OER dash pad completely, then making a gauge bezel that fits the dash pad gauge bezel opening......whatever it ended up being after tweaking, pulling, and yanking.

Always good to hear from you, Keizer. Thanks

Update,

Covan insisted that I send in my modified insert. When he got it he said that it fits his molds, he sell hundreds of these with no issues, and implied that I must have a factory defect dash. His tone was almost accusing. I was also chastised for cutting off the steering coulumn ears when I had to do this to clear my steering column. I felt he was rude and less than sympathetic. If he would have just asked me what I would like for a resolution, I would have told him that I will keep the modified dash and live with it. Although, he was so abrasive I feel like I should return all of my gauges just to make a point. I want this lack of understanding to be read by the other Nasty members so they can avoid future issues with Covans Thunder Road. It is a shame because Covan was so nice to begin with but ultimately he refused to help me work through a crappy situation. A situation that I belive effects more that just my car. With my dash being original to my car and stored for over 30 years I have to believe that I am not the only one who has seen these fittment issues. Bottom line, the Covans Thunder Road dash is no "bolt-in" and go product!

I had a set of Hedman headers for my TA. Both sides the rear tube hit the firewall big time. Sent them back-"fits our jig, you must have moved the engine back"-nope original owner, original motor mounts. I remade two tubes to fit, and better bolt access!

This is the kind of stuff you would think that a business would want to archive in case of future issues. Fact is that most gear heads make stuff fit, the issues never get reported, and the originator only fixes the issue if there is a massive financial incentive.

I had trouble with my covans bezel also. The mounting holes dont line up all that well on the headlight switch side. One of the holes is a hair off, making it sit cock-eyed. I live with it, but it should be better for the money.

Well,

I finally got around to fitting my restored wood grain bezel into my "incorrect" dash (Covan's word) and it fits to absolute perfection. I don't know what is going on but I have decided to go back to my stock gauges. Not as accurate but looks way better. I would love to hear from other Covan's Thunder Road users as to how thier insert fit. I don't know what else to say at this time other than the Covan's insert fit like hell for me. Hope this saves someone else future troubles.;)

So I guess this means I dont get to buy your gauges and bezel.. :(

Hope all goes well. The paint looks great!
-Mike

Well,

I finally got around to fitting my restored wood grain bezel into my "incorrect" dash (Covan's word) and it fits to absolute perfection. I don't know what is going on but I have decided to go back to my stock gauges. Not as accurate but looks way better. I would love to hear from other Covan's Thunder Road users as to how thier insert fit. I don't know what else to say at this time other than the Covan's insert fit like hell for me. Hope this saves someone else future troubles.;)

Dont know about Covans but the one from Classic Dash that I got fit fine except minor trimming over the steering column hump, hole was skewed slightly to the right.

Nope. Sorry.:rolleyes:

So I guess this means I dont get to buy your gauges and bezel.. :(

Hope all goes well. The paint looks great!
-Mike

Same problem mine had. Way skewed to the right at the column opening.

Dont know about Covans but the one from Classic Dash that I got fit fine except minor trimming over the steering column hump, hole was skewed slightly to the right.

I don't have the new Thunder Road bezel but do have the original type and was very dissapointed with the fit and overall quality. I called Covan's and basically was told that's how it is and to live with it. For the cost of the bezel, I expected more. I will never buy another one of their products.

I just sent my Auto Meter gauges back yesterday. I can't bring myself to put something this expensive and so poor fitting in my car.:whine:

That is what I am going to put in my car when I get to that point.

Even after seeing this thread......??
:screwup:

That is what I am going to put in my car when I get to that point.

I am going to make my gauge panel at work it is not that hard if you have the right tools.

Ah, you mean you will be using the Auto Meter gauges. Nothing wrong with that. They are very high quality!

I am going to make my gauge panel at work it is not that hard if you have the right tools.

And these places wonder why they don't sell more of their products.
Could it be because if a CUSTOMER has a problem they (Covans) should try and help fix the problem not just accuse the CUSTOMER of being wrong.
I was looking at buying on of these and now I wont. Thanks for the thread.

I must be fair. Covan tried to help but I don't think he will admit that there are issues with his product. If he had just said, this dash fits my templates, I obviously can't account for all of GM's 12 year parts variation and refunded all my money. I would be happy. He just said I own the insert and that I can return the rest. Hmmm.......:(

Yes but from 1970-1978 the dash were all the same so there template should have fit with no problems.

Obviously he's using the same template Camaro OER is using. lol

Truer words have never been spoken.

Obviously he's using the same template Camaro OER is using. lol

mine fitted ok. i wouldnt say great but ok. i didnt blame the covan dash at all but now that i hear everyones complaints i will as mine was also a little off to one side ( the right also) so this many people cant be a coincidence. i think its a mix of the covan piece + floppy 2nd gen dash design and 40 years of changes made to the dash , not to mention the steering stem needing some adjustment....all of it didnt help but with tinkering you can get there. its hard to pop into the hole but its achievable and now that mine is in i love it. i left my tach and speedo white bulbs white, but for fuel and volts used red bulbs and the oil pressure and water temp made green bulbs. at night looks awesome.

mine came from classic industries but its a covan. i wasnt sure what people were saying when some said they got it from classics or others direct from covan meaning they are different ...but from what i know they are both from covan.

i was not happy with the way the wiper switch mounted to those plastic parts that had been glued on. when i shaved them down to make my wiper switch mount i wasnt left with alot of material and one actually started to crack when i put the screw in.

overall quality of the dash bezel and fitment i would only give a 7 because as you can see in my picture that tab that everyone is talking about doesnt really sit snug with the dash. the other side is a small gap.
but now that its in ( after much tinkering) how happy am i...probably about a 9

this is why i love nastyz28.com , corvette forum and all you guys because without it we would be so much less informed. i would have no idea that everyone else had just as much trouble as me or more . if vendors do a great job with product and service then these sites are invaluable to them ( look at dewitts radiators for example ) but if a vendor treats customers poorly or has a product not up to scratch then we sure can weed them out ;)

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/gingerbreadman1977/IMG_5187.jpg

OMG....PTA!!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I was one of first waiting for these from John, actually had to wait for 9 months for his non-compete to expire.

I have worked for 2 days to try and make it fit with my OER (POS) dash. It is almost impossible to make aftermarket products fit together the way they should.

Had to epoxy several areas of the insert to the dash.....:o , so now it will have to go in as a complete dash and instrument together. Wiring harness will need to plug and play since I won't be able to get to all of the connectors individually. If this does not work I will be ordering a new dash and making an aluminum panel...so frustrating!!!

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/100_1082.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/100_1082.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/100_1084.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/100_1086.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/100_1087.jpg

Good luck that is not going to be easy.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/100_1087.jpg


Sorry to hijack but I need to know what the 2 screws are that are on the right part of the dash in this picture? Help

On another note if you could get that bezel to fit properly it would look great.

Where exactly are you having issues with fittment?

patrick, the two screws at the right are to keep the top of the dash pad tight against the bezel. I will take close up pics so you can see what bracket I made to do this.

Fittment issues are all over....were do I start.....

it is about a 1/2" to the right of being center on the steering column. The bottom of the dash was not even close to the butting up against the bezel. I really think John could adjust the mold slightly and fix 90% of the problems we are having. I am not sure if I should have mated the bezel to the dash with epoxy but there was no ay it was going in without doing something major...and i mean major!

there is too many of us having this to the right issue... he has F87cked up something.
if someone has one that fitted well then please chime in......anyone?......anyone?

Well, if we get lucky, John may read this thread. Then he might start to reconsider our unreasonable :rolleyes: complaints.

Pics of my install. Yes it will be difficult to say the least to seperate of the bezel from the dash if needed for some reason, but I had no other option dealing with aftermarket parts. So here are the pics of the final dash/bezel installation. Dash goes in this weekend.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0006.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0007.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0008.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0009.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0010.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0013.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/Camaro%20Engine%20Build/000_0014.jpg

Bparish your most recent pics really demonstrate the miss alignment of the covan insert with the dash around the steering section. its exactly the same as the rest of us after looking everyones pictures once again including mine. i really cant understand how covan F*&%ED it up so bad.

Thanks for the picks of the bracket. Is that what they used the holes for in stock form?

Bparish your most recent pics really demonstrate the miss alignment of the covan insert with the dash around the steering section. its exactly the same as the rest of us after looking everyones pictures once again including mine. i really cant understand how covan F*&%ED it up so bad.

The pics don't even begin to show the work that went into making this fit. I actually had to use plastic 1/4" spacers between the bezel and the dash mounting tabs on the two lower outside corners. This allowed me to sqeeze in the corners of dash pad slightly (1/4" or so on both sides) to help with the steering column adjustment. I think it is a simple fix with the mold but would cost John money to change it. I have over $1,000 in the dash alone.....$330 dash pad, $180 bezel, $500+ in guages. It's really dissapointing to say the least the amount of time it took me to do this....but the worst part of it, now my bezel is attached to my dash permantly!!!!!:mad: :mad:

im glad i saw this thread, i was just about to buy one of these. i think i'll have one made, it looks easier.

Im watching this closely as well.My plan,when the time comes,was to buy his dash and guages.But Im thinking I'll go in a different direction(read stock)now.Im not putting out that much money for a finished product that doesnt fit everyone's car so far.

Makes me feel good that I am not the only one with these issues and we can affect Covan's business in a negative way if deserved.

Just got an interesting call today. John Covan called me and said he was at the SEMA show and had complaints about his insert fittment. There were also examples on display that showed the "to the right" fittment issues. John stated that he will refund my money for the original insert and will start developing a new insert next week. He plans to use my help to develop a proper fitting insert. Sounds kinda cool. It shows a lot that John can step up and apologize. I just hope we get an insert that fits properly in the end.

Excellent.I was just about to suggest if we could all send him this link in an email to him.No way he could ignore the bunch of us.But this is great.Congrats.

Just got an interesting call today. John Covan called me and said he was at the SEMA show and had complaints about his insert fittment. There were also examples on display that showed the "to the right" fittment issues. John stated that he will refund my money for the original insert and will start developing a new insert next week. He plans to use my help to develop a proper fitting insert. Sounds kinda cool. It shows a lot that John can step up and apologize. I just hope we get an insert that fits properly in the end.
well thats good, but is he gonna refund everyone?

I had the same thought.:screwup:

well thats good, but is he gonna refund everyone?

Just got an interesting call today. John Covan called me and said he was at the SEMA show and had complaints about his insert fittment. There were also examples on display that showed the "to the right" fittment issues. John stated that he will refund my money for the original insert and will start developing a new insert next week. He plans to use my help to develop a proper fitting insert. Sounds kinda cool. It shows a lot that John can step up and apologize. I just hope we get an insert that fits properly in the end.


I spent the better part of an hour this morning with John at Sema discussing the issues and what I thought it would take to fix the problems. Even though we deal with manufacturers via phone and internet, I can tell you this.....after meeting John, his son, and crew they are going to do what it takes to make it correct. I will be meeting with John tomorrow morning before he heads back to the shop so he can see my dash first hand. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet with him directly.

Best of luck to all and will send an update after I meet with him tomorrow.

any news ?
Is it safe to order a Covan dash now ??

Johnny

I too was about to order but am watching this thread and glad you guys sharing your frustrations may help. Anyone that hears good news keep us posted if new bezels become available.

How do new gauges fit in original dash?

bump :whine:

bump :whine:
Call him and ask.He (Covan) should tell you either way.He's prolly on this site once in awhile anyway.

I have not had a chance to talk with John since Sema but he emailed me last week. My reply email gave my contact info and a link to this thread so I am sure he is up to speed on everyone's thoughts. If you need to get in contact with him, below is his info. Thanks




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: John Covan <jcovan@covansthunderroad.com>
To: bparrishlvx@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, November 24, 2009 5:44:56 PM
Subject: 70-78 Camaro


Hi Brent, Please e-mail me your phone number. I would like to talk to you about the 70-78 Camaro panel. Thank You. John Covan



John Covan

John Covan's Thunder Road

8400 Monroe Ave Suite 6

Stanton CA 90680

WWW.covansthunderroad.com

office 714-527-1937

fax 714-527-1496

I'm not that far from Stanton so if he needs to look at a 2nd gen to check fitment, I'm willing to let him check out my car.

did anyone check the forums of the other cars he sells parts for and ask them if there is a fitment problem w/ theres also? i'd check that out and let them know your problems w/ his company word of mouth is the best and worst recommendations

With all the comments, discussion and sharing with Mr. Covan have we heard any update from him on the fit of his dash panels?

None to date.

From: John Covan
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 2:07 AM
To: 'J. Mellum'
Subject: RE: camaro dash


Hello Johnny, We have had a couple of our customer’s remark that they had some fitment problems. I take that very seriously. Before we ship the first panel I make sure it fits perfectly. So when I hear the problem some of my customers had I took a panel to Classic Industries, which is one of my customers and installed it in one of there test vehicles. The panel bolted in as it should. The only thing I can figure is we had a few panels that were not trimmed properly. We went through our entire inventory and test fitted all the panels we have for sale. I assure you that if you choose to purchase a panel it will fit. Also if you would like to speak with the person at Classic Industries that test fitted the panel with me his name is Justin Remelin. His e-mail address is jremelin@classicindustries.com.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: J. Mellum [mailto:jmellum@online.no]
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 2:49 PM
To: jcovan@covansthunderroad.com
Subject: camaro dash



Just wondering !



Whats the status on the 70-77 camaro dash ?

I know it had some fitting problems, And i am afraid to order one before i know that it has been fixed.



I live in Oslo.Norway so it,s hard for me to return it if it dosent fit.



Best Regards.

Johnny Mellum

NastyZ28 Member

Not to be negative but Classics dashes are OER. Don't trust the fit if your dash is OE. My original bezel fit perfectly, the Covan's did not. See my prior post.

Not to be negative but Classics dashes are OER. Don't trust the fit if your dash is OE. My original bezel fit perfectly, the Covan's did not. See my prior post.
Yeah,this kinda takes the wind out of the sail if this is his fix.I have an OER dash going in that I inherited with the car.So,I guess it'll be a roll of the dice when I buy mine?Or,maybe I'll have a certain George from Md.stop by,a few burgers,beverage of choice...............lol.

Hijack on

Christian,

How's the car coming along...;)

Hijack off

wow, they went through their entire inventory? and my question would be, what if they are test fitting it on one of the dashes that are off just a little...i mean 150 bucks isnt alot, but its alot more than i want to spend on something that more than a couple people have had issues with. just my .02

PM sent.

Hijack on

Christian,

How's the car coming along...;)

Hijack off

If anyone's interested, I'm in the process of installing one of John's dashes right now. Seems I have the same fitment issus every one else is having. And I too talked with John about this. I think the problem is really with the dash pad. I bet, like me, everyone else is using one of the Urethane OER dashes. Well I gotta tell ya, these dashes are just terrible. I installed mine about 5 years ago. It was a nightmare. The first dash had really bad rippling on the top passenger side. All 6 after that suffered from the same problem. Ended up calling Mark at Classic. He personally went to their warehouse and pulled the best one he could find, and even though it's better than the others I received, it has problems too. One of which is the dash area. I'm bettin that all these fitment problems everyone is experiencing can be traced back to these dashes. I wish someone out there actually made a decent dash pad that actuall fit and looked correct.

Look back on this tread. I have my original dash and still have fitment issues. This one is gonna kill Covan if he doesn't redesign.

If anyone's interested, I'm in the process of installing one of John's dashes right now. Seems I have the same fitment issus every one else is having. And I too talked with John about this. I think the problem is really with the dash pad. I bet, like me, everyone else is using one of the Urethane OER dashes. Well I gotta tell ya, these dashes are just terrible. I installed mine about 5 years ago. It was a nightmare. The first dash had really bad rippling on the top passenger side. All 6 after that suffered from the same problem. Ended up calling Mark at Classic. He personally went to their warehouse and pulled the best one he could find, and even though it's better than the others I received, it has problems too. One of which is the dash area. I'm bettin that all these fitment problems everyone is experiencing can be traced back to these dashes. I wish someone out there actually made a decent dash pad that actuall fit and looked correct.

Just a thought!

well, im gonna look around for another piece, this seems like he was just saying something to please people or they are test fitting it on a dash thats not straight. its too bad because they look nice in the pics. i may even make my own.:eek: