Bread Loaf

[nmacdonald]

What's the purpose of the "bread loaf" thingeymabob on the passenger side dash?

If it serves no purpose, can it be removed and replaced with something a bit more appealing?

Thanks

 

[Fishman]

...and replaced with something a bit more appealing?

Yes... look for passenger side dash inserts... I put one on my 84 years ago. Here is an example from Ecklers... Dash Insert

 

[rrubel]

It was part of a passenger-restraint system that was going to be mandated by the Feds but was no longer required, after GM did the design. It can be removed, though you need to take off the dash pad and also go at it from underneat. I replaced mine with a sort-of glove-box which consists of a plastic panel and a nylon pouch. I've also seen things that look like the breadloaf but open up into a cupholder and glovebox.

Be aware that there isn't a lot of room behind the loaf, so don't expect to unleash oodles of space...

http://alumni.umbc.edu/~rrubel1/pix/glovebox_install.jpg
http://alumni.umbc.edu/~rrubel1/pix/glovebox_install1.jpg
[RICHR]

 

[vetteboy86]

I kind of like it, and yes rrubel is 100% right.


Craig

 

[nmacdonald]

Based on what I've read it's not picnic getting that thing off...so may just live with it and just carry a jar of peanut butter!

 

[Ken]

Based on what I've read it's not picnic getting that thing off.

Yep, you read right!

 

[rrubel]

Based on what I've read it's not picnic getting that thing off...so may just live with it and just carry a jar of peanut butter!

I think it took me about 2.5 hours to remove the breadloaf and install the "glovebox." You need to remove all the bezels around the dash, then the dash pad, then the passenger hush panel, then drop the ECM box and finally figure out a way to get at the last couple of nuts holding the loaf in place. Since I wasn't planning to reinstall it, I cut the nuts (they're the thin, almost hollow ones) with tinsnips; then the rest pulled out with no problem.

It's a good thing to do in combination with something else, like redoing the dash pad or the trim bezels.
[RICHR]

 

[WhalePirot]

I put one on my 84.

I put one on too, with the simulated wood. It looks great, but I felt the flat panel from Eckler's was a P.O.S. and waaaaaaaaay too pricey, for what it is.

Knowing what I now know, I would remove the loaf, which is NOT much fun, and make my own from thin plywood, metal or whatever, then cover it as I did. I had to use some of my own screws anyway, as the supplied parts were wanting.

 

[Edmond]

I like the look of the bread loaf! It reminds the passenger what car they're riding in. :L

 

[JEFNLSA]

Ya know, that is something on my 96 that I'm not too fond of. It has the passenger side air bag and it would have been nice if they put the Corvette logo on it or the C4 emblem.

 

[Ken]

Anybody wanna buy an "almost new" one?

I bought a new one a couple of years ago when I initially restored my interior; now that I've totally modified my dash I no longer use or need it, so it sits with the rest of the parts I'm offering FOR SALE.

 

[oldace84]

Leave it stock. Don't you think soooooooooooooo.
Thanks.

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

The easy way to get the bread loaf out is to cut it out with a box cutter.... of course you will no longer have a loaf of bread to go with the peanut butter..LOL..
Doing it this way will save you a lot of time and cuts on the wrists from going up under the dash.... Just be careful not to cut to deap and cut some of the wires on the back side...
good luck
Mike