[BravadaX]

95-97 dash removal...I get a BUNCH of PMs and requests for this...it isn't that difficult,and takes about 30min with a few common tools,a zip gun,and no fear...

Here y'all go.

Remove all 3 lower plastic covers.(7mm screws,and one 10mm but near gas pedal)

Remove lower knee bolster/under column trim.(torx bitX4,a few 7mm across the bottom,and near center of dash)

Disconnect main column connector(7mm),unplug airbag plug(yellow),disconnect shifter cable(if column shift,pops right off),remove 15mm nuts X4,pull out column:

Remove all three 10mm bolts across the bottom of the dash,and unplug all connectors hanging under passenger side.ALSO disconnect antenna wire from under hood,and unhook it from evaporator housing..then pull it inside cab.

drivers side near parking brake pedal above kick plate.

center

Passenger side above kick plate

remove defrost vent&speaker grilles

Remove top bolts,and allow dash to tilt forward(7mm)

disconnect 7mm plug on passenger side

Disconnect HVAC vacuum lines at connector located in center.(4x4 models have an additional module plug close by,disconnect it as well if equipped)

Disconnect plug to accessories jumper harness driverside,near column support bracket

Remove dash assembly.

 

[tytotheler92]

I assume you can replace the heater core with it tilted forward?

 

[BravadaX]

^
Lol,no...there's a little more left.. why would you tho? three plugs(4 on 4wd),and you can just take it out. I have done it before with the column lying on the seat,with the dash pushed over in the past..for me its just easier to pull the column out,it pops off. then just snatch the dash. I don't like all those squeaky noises,and tightly pulled wires...besides its super easy to wipe down lying in the bed

as for the heater core,I'll take apart a heater box soon. I actually have to take 2 trucks to the firewall over the next few days/week or so.

 

[95S1090CRX]

I was thinking of pulling the dash out of my 95 and replacing it with the dash out of my 2000 but I'm not sure if it will work I know I would have to probably find a way to keep the 95 instrument cluster but I like the 2000 dash better has anyone ever done this or should I just buy a new dash for the 95 and forget it ?

 

[BravadaX]

^
Buy a new dash,and forget it. It's more involved then it seems. I've pulled several of both styles,and nothing is the same.including the mounts to the cab itself.

I don't have the ability to draw on pics but I hope you can see the big differences..here's pics from other trucks Ive rebuilt..

'99 bare naked

body harness&hvac box reinstalled

Dash pad reinstalled

'97 bare naked

you can see the structure around the driver's side is different,the pedals,column....all that are even mounted differently.

anything can be made to work with a welder tho,lol..except that cluster,and the headlight switch:haha: Ive seem them trimmed to fit a newer dash,but it looks bootleg,and honestly the 95-97 dash is a little nicer then 98&up in the way it's "built better" more parts..fussy lines cubby holes...little details.

 

[95S1090CRX]

^Thanks for the info I will just grab up a new one then what about the door panels and locks can I swap those over or is that a no go as well ? What I was hopeing to do is pull the interior of the newer 2000 and put it in the 95

 

[BravadaX]

^
Nope. the handle locations are different. It's possible to cut the inner door apart&reweld it,but that's a lot of work to make door panels work. And once again,the 94-97 are better built...

 

[B95]

I usually just drop the steering column down rather than pulling it out.

 

[BravadaX]

^
I used to do it that way also. It's just easier to pull it out for me. there's nothing holding it to the steering shaft,it just pulls off,and set it out of the way. I'm alway nervous of damaging something,especially since the bezels and dashes are starting to get pretty brittle on these trucks with old age.leaning the dash on it with all those squeaks,and crackles scares the crap out of me:haha:

 

[B95]

It would be nice if someone would make a new dash for the 2nd gen trucks. So, we wouldnt have to go to the junkyard.

 

[BravadaX]

^
agreed...only problem is the junkyards here are full of disappointment...I rarely see a dash that isn't cracked worse then mine,or damaged by an idiot that beat me to it.

 

[B95]

I bought 2 Charcoal dash boards, with only 2 small cracks on each. Most of the time the front grille is gone, before I get there.

 

[NextName]

The North and the South both have their share of damaged trucks.

In the North, you'll see bodies rusted to shit but with perfect interiors.

In the South, you'll see interiors destroyed but with perfect bodies.

Solution is to buy three trucks: one from the north for the interior, one from the south for the body, then one from your grandma for the powertrain.

 

[tealtank]

It would be nice if someone would make a new dash for the 2nd gen trucks. So, we wouldnt have to go to the junkyard.

Coverlay 18694 is a dash cap that covers and looks oem.

$162 shipped through RockAuto (use discount for 5% off retail)

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4688163&cc=1029619

 

[Sonomanclature]

Solution is to buy three trucks: one from the north for the interior, one from the south for the body, then one from your grandma for the powertrain.

this is probably the best logic i have read in a while.

 

[B95]

The North and the South both have their share of damaged trucks.

In the North, you'll see bodies rusted to shit but with perfect interiors.

In the South, you'll see interiors destroyed but with perfect bodies.

Solution is to buy three trucks: one from the north for the interior, one from the south for the body, then one from your grandma for the powertrain.

If it was only that simple!

 

[95S1090CRX]

I was looking at that dash a few days ago from ra looks like a good deal and on the grill that was mentioned earlier I bought a new all black one for $20 on drivewire.com they changed their name now but you can still use the old address and it will redirect you to the new one

 

[BravadaX]

^
I have purchased dashes from eBay. 02-04 dashes..shipping is pricy,and you need a receiving dock to save on freight. You can't trust random junkyards online. I've bought a few diamond edition bull bars,and they where both a little ruff,or incomplete from junkyards off those part finder deals...if you try hard enough,anything is locatable tho...

 

[NextName]

Completely off topic but relevant to the DE bull bars - are those attached by the tow hooks? I saw a guy parting one out online but I didn't know if they were through tow hooks or frame. I guess either way on a 2WD, I'm screwed.

 

[BravadaX]

^
No. They have their own bracketry,and also bolt through the bumper. I can post pics of one later tonight...I may still have pics of one on my old ZR2 as well...