Stole this from the Internet. It was posted in 2013.
I've done about 20 E Body dash pads recently. The trick is to remove the dash assembly as a whole, restore it, then re-install it as a whole.
Here are 26 easy steps:
1)Open Hood
1.5) Dis-connect battery
2)Remove four plugged wire harnesses from bulk head
3)Remove two nuts holding bulkhead in place
4)Open doors
5)Remove A pillar trim and associated trim
6)Remove Kick Panels and associated trim
7)Unplug both door jamb light switches
8)Unplug E Brake warning wire
9)Unplug tail light harness
10)Unplug dimmer Switch
11)Reach up and unplug heater box
12)Unplug console light
13)Disconnect antenna
14)At the heater control, disconnect both heater cables
15)Unplug both steering column harnesses
16)Unplug brake pedal switch, both wires
17)Undo both vent cables and let them hang
18)Remove 3 steering column bolts at firewall
19)Remove to nuts on steering column at the dash
20)Lower column and allow to hang
21)Remove 4 bolts at windshield using a 1/4 drive flex
22)Remove 2 bolts at door pillars
23) Disconnect speedometer cable.
24)Prepare for a heavy dash to fall on your lap
25)Yell to wife for help
26) Have a cold beer, you're done
Im taking out the front glass so I am thinking this should be fairly easy. Did Alan miss anything?
Thanks Alan
PS Maybe you all know this but I just found out from the Ultimate Rides guy Alan that you NEVER USE ARMOR-
ALL on your dash or really any parts of your interior as it TRAPS the UV RAYS CAUSING DAMAGE. He recommended using Pledge (furniture cleaner). Thanks
looks right except I do not remove the 2 bolts at he door pillars , the lower dash mounts are slotted so the dash can sit on these bolts once the 4 bolts in the defroster are removed the dash will lift right off of the lower dash bolts , this also helps with installing the ash s it can be set onto the same lower bolts & lifted up to align the 4 defroster bolts
Quote from: Chryco Psycho on April 13, 2017, 09:21:33 AM
looks right except I do not remove the 2 bolts at he door pillars , the lower dash mounts are slotted so the dash can sit on these bolts once the 4 bolts in the defroster are removed the dash will lift right off of the lower dash bolts , this also helps with installing the ash s it can be set onto the same lower bolts & lifted up to align the 4 defroster bolts
For that to work when you preform step 19 you should have double nutted the studs & removed the studs too rather than just the nuts..... And yes, thats how I do it too.... :cheers:
Wow...that's old :tired:
Quote from: anlauto on April 13, 2017, 10:01:44 AM
Wow...that's old :tired:
Like we're not? But still has value to those who haven't been there yet..... So thanks for typing it all up so the rest of us wouldn't have to... :rofl:
Yea...don't know what I was thinking...must have had a lot of time on my hands..... :rofl:
Definitely some good information there! :clapping:
That's a great list... thanks for writing it all down!!!!! :bravo:
I'm building my dash and getting it ready for install. What all do you put on the frame and what is left off until it's in the car? It's a a.c. car so there are a few more things to be put on.
I've not done an AC car, but EVERYTHING goes on my dashes before they go in the car. As much as you can put on now will make it a lot easier later. :alan2cents:
I'm with Cody...before the dash goes in, the firewall behind the dash is 100% complete. The dash assembly while on the bench is 100% complete.. Just install, hook up a few wires and cables and you're all set :alan2cents:
Dash pad is the last to go on? Or is there pieces around the gauges that are last?
Pad goes on dash frame first... Then wiring, gauges, ducts, trim and so on... You install the dash as a complete assembly....
:iagree: Dash pad is the 1st item you put on the dash frame.
Pad first for sure. :worship:
Make sure all the insulation , pedals & supports , heater box , etc are all in place before the dash is installed as Alan said
I'd suggest setting up a frame to mount the dash - makes things much easier to assemble.
The list makes it sound so easy, I've only ever replaced a dash pad with the dash still in the car. Wasn't pretty.
I can remember a few years back when I changed out my dash pad for the replacement I procured. Didn't know a damned thing about R&Ring an E-body pad. With nothing to go by, I sat in the drivers seat for about 20 mins looked at my job and started taking things apart methodically one after another. After 2 days on a weekend, I was sitting in front of completed task, I must have done something right it went back together the way it came apart. Except with a new pad. I found out there are about 9 or 10 PAL nuts up under the windshield I decided to change them to regular nuts. Got real tired of laying under the dash real quick. Did lay a heavy blanket down so I didn't break my back on the tunnel. Glad it's in, you can bet on it, it will be well taken care of. Thanks, Al
Wear long sleeves to avoid cuts of your arms but it makes it more difficult to get to some of the speed nuts. A little more work but should be easier to do it outside the car. I did mine in the car with sweat, blood and curse.
All great information, just finished restoring my dash including removing the pad from the frame and repainting both. One thing I did not do was to install the trim below the radio until I put the dash back in the car because I was afraid it might be broken. Boy that was a pain getting at the screws, ended up having to take the radio and ash tray back out again to get to them.
A large piece of plywood and a few 2x4's worked great for me for a frame to hold it, kinda a rotisserie for the dash :ohyeah:
This how-to has some pics for those who nedd to visualize, like me...
http://www.justdashes.com/2011/08/instructions-1970-74-mopar-e-body-dash-pad-removal-and-replacement/
Ben
This thread is a wealth of knowledge, I'll be going at this task over the winter so THANK YOU!
Any recommendations on the best way to get the fasteners out by the windshield?
1/4 " drive with a flex extension works best , keep a magnet near too
installing the screws is another story , I fought with that for hours on one car , , my customers girlfriend showed up & was able to start the screws by hand !!
Nice to have small hands at times LOL
Here's another trick.....Grab that long mirror off of the back of the wife's closet door.....lay it on the outside of the windshield and with a small light source, you'll be able the see those bolts no problem.... 8)
Get it done quick and put the mirror back before she sees it's gone :pullinghair: :alan2cents:
Quote from: anlauto on November 01, 2017, 09:40:14 AM
Here's another trick.....Grab that long mirror off of the back of the wife's closet door.....lay it on the outside of the windshield and with a small light source, you'll be able the see those bolts no problem.... 8)
Get it done quick and put the mirror back before she sees it's gone :pullinghair: :alan2cents:
Great idea! I'll do it on a day she is working...
How about an easier option, pull the window.
Done.
Quote from: HP_Cuda on November 01, 2017, 11:44:51 AM
How about an easier option, pull the window.
Done.
Actually thinking about that as well. Current one has a small chip, I may get a new one so we'll see.
What size are the bolts by the windshield?
I think they were 7/16" heads but don't quote me.
3/8 :alan2cents:
I knew they were small but it's been awhile.
Quote from: HP_Cuda on November 01, 2017, 01:56:14 PM
I knew they were small but it's been awhile.
That's what she said...... :rofl: :veryexcited: :haha: :stop:
Quote from: 303 Mopar on November 01, 2017, 02:45:03 PM
Quote from: HP_Cuda on November 01, 2017, 01:56:14 PM
I knew they were small but it's been awhile.
That's what she said...... :rofl: :veryexcited: :haha: :stop:
Been in the pool. :rofl:
I've never had a problem with the windshield in. I use a 1/4" drive setup and it goes pretty easy.
The fun part is putting it back again, do the steps in reverse, you start out with having a beer! :D
Quote from: soundcontrol on November 02, 2017, 08:43:45 AM
The fun part is putting it back again, do the steps in reverse, you start out with having a beer! :D
That will make it all good! :drunk: :rofl:
:tool: :drunk: :drunk: :haha: :haha:
Too funny but they is plural.
Quote from: 303 Mopar on November 01, 2017, 02:45:03 PM
Quote from: HP_Cuda on November 01, 2017, 01:56:14 PM
I knew they were small but it's been awhile.
That's what she said...... :rofl: :veryexcited: :haha: :stop:
Bumping this back to the top so its easier for others to find. I just used this list over the holidays to remove my Challenger's rallye dash & I was quite glad to have this. Maybe it should be a sticky/pinned item?