Dash removal - not cap, DASH ITSELF?

With great interest I read about dash cap removal, and actually have had the opportunity to be involved in the process (very interesting, I might add).

What I am MORE interested in though, is the fact that (it's my understanding) the dash ITSELF can also be removed from the car. This would be great, because it would serve a number of purposes:

1) Thorough cleanup and repaint
2) Access to the firewall and all under dash assemblies/components/etc.

HAS anyone here removed a dash with success? IF SO, can you describe to me how you did it? Was your windshield out? Did you drop the steering column? In particular, I am curious as to how the various screws at the firewall were accessed in order to pull it out. Some of the front mounting bolts are easy to see, but those buried screws really have me curious.

Thanks!

Chris

 

I have removed several. It is pretty much mandatory that you pull the windshield in order to get to the screws. I pulled mine without pulling the windshield, but the gasket around the window was destroyed in the process, so it will have to be pulled anyways...

 

Plus all the wiring, the cars wiring pretty much is in the dash, there are plugs in both kick panels for various things, and the fuse block will have to be separated, and I think theres a support up in there above the glove box area, and like Jamie said, I'd remove the wind shield. I pulled mine to repaint it, wasn't too hard, just time consuming.

 

I pulled mine out no problem. Glass was out already as well as steering column. Getting the pad out took much longer. Once the glass and under-dash stuff is out it's a lot easier to see where all the screws are.

 

Chris,
Jaime is correct, it's a LOT easier to remove the dash if you first remove the windshield. I will say though that is is possible to do it with the glass in but you will need a lot of time and patience. As for tools, you will need a thin quarter inch wrench, a wedge to hold the gasket out of the way and a light wouldn't hurt either. Be gentle handling the gasket, as it will tear easily. Look closely at the picture Jaime posted, the 5 raised areas along the bottom of the winshield gasket are where the screws are located. And yes you will also need to drop the steering column, but that is easy, just 4 nuts. It's also handy to drop the glovebox/shelf for ease of access. If you have anymore questions, you're in the right place. Lots of great knowledgable people here.

 

Man, you guys really have it together. Got the info I needed and am very happy. Thanks so much!

Incidentally, I >do< plan to pull the windshield, because of cowl rust that needs addressed (that goes up under the seal). Won't miss tearing up a 30+ year old seal, so no biggie.

Thanks again!

Chris

 

pulling is not the hard part...putting it back and hooking up everything will be...

...Frank...:Handshake

 

Definitely makes it easier to restore with the dash out.

 

I wrote a tech article about this years ago with pictures:

http://www.maverickcomet.com/TechArticles/RemoveDash/RemoveDash.asp

 

NICE question.... I need a new dash.. previous owner took a hammer, jig saw, tourch, and at least 4 kicks with a boot???? Then he duck taped the gauges back in and painted... oh yea he painted!!!!!!!!

 

Mark:

I was referred to your site. Very, very helpful writeup, many thanks for the information. Documents like these are so valuable!

Chris

 

Thanks!

One of these days I need to redo it and at least get rid of the popups for the comments! I'll just add it to the list of things I need to do...

 

im planning on doing this as well but i also plan on removing the windshield is that a pain? like could i do it and put it back without a problem? do i need special tools ? whats the best way tto go about taking it out? sorry for the all the questions just wanna do this right

 

removing the trim without messing it up was the hard part for me...

...Frank...

 

that rust scared me for a minute lol

i think the guy who pulled out mine broke it, it has some cracks in it and it looks warped