In what order do I disassemble my Barracuda's dash?

[Road_Runner]

Before I just start removing screws on my Barracuda's dash, gauge cluster, etc. what is the correct order to disassemble an E Body dash?  What can I take out by itself without taking the rest of the dash apart?  I've got a new dash pad to put on, replacement gauge for one that's broken on mine, I need to lube or replace my speedo cable, a correct am/fm radio to replace the broken aftermarket unit that's installed currently, and I'm trying to decide if I'm going to do these one or two at time since my time is limited right now and I don't want to take the car off the road right now.  Mine is an A/C car which looks like it could complicate some of this.  So any advice from someone who's done these types of repairs before would be greatly appreciated.

Later, Jim

[burdar]

Is the dash assembly out of the car?  I'm thinking it's not since you say you don't want to take the car off the road. 

If the dash assembly is still in the car, TAKE IT OUT.  It will be so much easier (and faster) if you take it out of the car.  The only thing that would complicate matters is that you will have to discharge the A/C.  With the A/C dissconnected, the entire dash assembly is held in by two bolts down by the kick panels and 4 small bolts at the base of the windshield....that's it.   If you dissconnect the main bulkhead connections(and a few other smaller connections in the kickpanel area) all the wiring will come out with the dash.

Once the assembly is upside down on a bench, you'll be able to see how it all comes apart much easier.  The radio will come out very easily and you don't have to remove anything else.  The trim around the gauges and the light bar needs to come out in order to get to 3 of the dash pad attaching nuts.  I think the trim around the radio and the heater controls can stay on the frame.  The gauge bezels should come off without removing those. 

Take some detailed pictures of the wiring connections at the back of the gauge panel.  You don't nessesarily have to take the gauge panel out of the car to replace individule gauges. 

[burdar]

Since your installing a new pad, you'll need to take off the left and right L trim pieces.  You'll most likely need to do some trimming to the new pad so those pieces will fit.  The left side L trim comes off pretty easy.  Just make sure you take out the 1 screw on the back side.  It's kind of hidden.  The right side L trim is tougher.  You will see all the mounting screws once the radio is removed.  I think there are like 6 screws on the back side and 1 by the gauges.

[4Cruizn]

If you weren't installing a new pad . . You could do it in the car.  But since you are going to replace the pad, I agree that you should remove the whole dash as it will be a lot easier. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I swapped my dashpad with the dash still installed in the car. It's pretty straight forward, but I think it took something like 6-8 hours to do. Some of those speed nuts require a contortionist with small hands.   

[72rtchallenger]

this site helps
http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/ServiceHighlights/1970PassengerCarHighlights10.shtml

[Road_Runner]

Thanks for the great info guys, I bookmarked the link.  No one has ever accused me of having small hands so it looks like I will probably wait until I'm ready to completely restore the dash with all new wiring before I tackle any of this.  I've got plenty of other things I can be working on while I gather all the parts I need.  Thanks again, this was exactly the practical advice I was looking for.

Later, Jim

[jforest1]

Awesome.  I was looking for this as well. 

FYI.  The right trim panel is a ***** to remove with the assembly in the car...my wife with her small hands made this a possibility for me, but by myself it would take an hour just to get this panel done by itself due to the angles...

JF