How to pull 1st Gen Dash

[Rebel_US]

I had 1 working bulb on my instrument cluster (stock), so things were a bit dim in the dark.

This is from a 1986 - yours maybe different.

Start by removing the 2 screws each holding the side panel controls:

Lights:


Heater/AC:


Pull these out so you can get to the connections.

The lights are pretty straightforward - 2 connectors.

The heat/air are a bit trickier: you have electrical, mechanical and vacuum lines to deal with. The electrical I think you can figure out.

The mechanical:




Be VERY carefull removing the press on fastener on the cable - you snap that nub - you are screwed. I twisted mine to get it off. DON'T just pull it off!! The red cable retainer, flip it over and you'll see the tab that holds it in place.

The Vacuum Line:

Ok - I took the easy way out. If you remove the electrical switch holding the vacuum assembly down - you can remove the vacuum assembly without having to pull each line.

[Rebel_US]

I didn't get pics with the dash hood on - but their are 4 screw post you will be working with.

The same 4 post holds both the hood - and the dash itself in place:





4 Nuts hold the hood on - 4 nuts holds the instrument cluster to the dash.

Again - I didn't get a picture of the speedometer cable in place, but it's very simple to disconnect it: push down on the clip and pull it out. The single electrical connection is the same: 1 screw.

You now have a gaping hole in your dash:



But...you also have your dash cluster on the kitchen table (as long as you aint caught doing it!)

I wont go into how to disassemble the dash cluster itself - one thing us 1st Genner's have going for us is our stuff is SIMPLE.

I used this opportunity to clean everything, replace the bulbs and try and clean that stupid plexiglass cover.

As well as a chance to go 'hmmm..I can do something with this!' That will be another post.

[excaliber]

good write up!! I will need this info later.

[lowNslow666]

awesome man! ive been wanting to pull mine, this helps alot!! thanks for the pics and info!

[specter692000]

sweet i was wondering how to pull this out i need to check stuff behind and see if things are working right.

[Rebel_US]

semantics - I should have called this "how to pull your instrument cluster" - this isn't the whole dash...whoops!

[jtcfanof3]

Easier and safer for the Vac lines if you just remove the HVAC control panel cover,its just 4 cap head screws behind the panel,1/4 wrench if I remember correctly.And pop the plastic slider caps off.You can leave the actual HVAC controls connected,just push them back into the bezel.
But hey,its just another option,as Ive heard of many people messing up the vacuum lines removing it all together.

[90Convertible]

I just finished pulling my whole dash 20 minutes ago, big pain in the @$$.

[weezle29]

dude love the stereo spacer

[Rebel_US]

Quote: Originally Posted by jtcfanof3

Easier and safer for the Vac lines if you just remove the HVAC control panel cover,its just 4 cap head screws behind the panel,1/4 wrench if I remember correctly.And pop the plastic slider caps off.You can leave the actual HVAC controls connected,just push them back into the bezel.
But hey,its just another option,as Ive heard of many people messing up the vacuum lines removing it all together.

The way i did it - I never disconnected a hose, I took the entire vacume assembly off as one piece connected to the vacume switch. And yeah - their is very little extra line and considering the age of my truck, I didn't want to pull too hard on the lines. Their are gears that mesh on the assembly, so a no branier putting things back together.

I think were both saying the same thing: 4 screws (2 on elex,2 on vac) and you dont fart with the seperate lines.

[Rebel_US]

Quote: Originally Posted by weezle29

dude love the stereo spacer

lol - got duct tape - will travel..

Can't wait till Biker Week...

[greyhnd]

This is a great write up. I've been waiting to pull the bezel out and now I think I can tackle it.

[phantom_mia]

if i may add one thing, you would be amazed at how much room you get by taking the steering wheel off

[Rebel_US]

their might be, but K.I.S.S. - theirs no need to do so, plenty of access. If the wheels already off, definatelly more room - but why 'make work'?

One correction to the 1st photo: their are 2 screws on each side of the steering column that attaches to the bottom of the cluster. When I originally pulled mine - they were missing as you can see by the drooping trim around the column.

[bg's]

Yea that is a good how to. This might help some as well..