dash removal?

[bbscamp]

70 Chally is going to need a new dash pad.  Mine is WAY too cracked to cap.   Can this be done easily with the windshield in place?  or does it have to come out?   Anyone have a good source or procedure on removing and dismantling a dash?
Thanks  Mike

[ShelbyDogg]

Way too cracked to cap?

You'ld be surprised if you saw some of the cracks under some of those caps. You cut them all out to install a cap anyway.  Let's see hmmm $85 dollars or $700 dollars?  Hmmm


To pull the dash, Pull out the steering column, pull out the long studs that held the column up, disconnect and unscrew the fusebox from the firewall, pull the speedo cable, unplug the A/C vacuum lines at the switch (if app). disconnect any other wire from the dash to firewall, take off both pillar side covers, remove both foot side panels, unplug antenna plug, use a small 1/4 inch ratchet with a u-joint and long extensions to remove the 4 bolts on each side of the defroster vents, loosen the 2 lower dash bolts on the lower front corners by the doors, drop the dash to the seat.

When reinstalling, I've found that it is easier to start the defroster bolts if you have the inst. cluster out because you can guide the clips to the screws.

[Chryco Psycho]

the defroster vent screws hard difficult to get back in , you need someone with small hands & you need a flexible extension to get in there are the angle is higher than the windsheild , can be done but not fun !!

[Super Blue 72]

Great info guys! 

Sorry, not to take over this thread but...

is there a way to just remove the dash cap without removing the whole dash with the gauges and dash frame?

Thanks in advance!

[ShelbyDogg]

Way too much trouble to pull the dash pad without pulling the dash first. You could pull the dash in 30 minutes if you find everything. Then you can get to the backside and see all of the fasteners.

[Super Blue 72]

Thanks, shelbydogg! 

[inot2old]

If you dojust want to put a cap on your dash, you don;t have to remove the whole thing,  Just

 use a small 1/4 inch ratchet with a u-joint and long extensions to remove the 4 bolts on each side of the defroster vents, loosen the 2 lower dash bolts on the lower front corners by the doors,

.

and the dash will tilt forward.

[422STROKER]

Do you have to disassemble any of the guages etc to use this method?

If you dojust want to put a cap on your dash, you don;t have to remove the whole thing,  Just
and the dash will tilt forward.

Thanks
Tom

[4Cruizn]

No Tom the guages remain intact!  It's about 7 or 8 bolts/screws and the dash will tilt forward.   

[422STROKER]

Thanks I wish I knew that before I tried painting along the windshield black!  That will prob make the dash cap install easier..

Tom

[MyMopar]

Way too cracked to cap?

You'ld be surprised if you saw some of the cracks under some of those caps. You cut them all out to install a cap anyway.  Let's see hmmm $85 dollars or $700 dollars?  Hmmm

The thing about the caps is that they are a hard plastic. NOw I don't mind payig $90 for a plastic cap, but my wife prefers the orginal foam/vinyl pad.  Are all dash pad caps a hard plastic or do they make a foam/vinyl type of cap?

[ShelbyDogg]

Never saw a padded soft cap.  You either buy the hard cap, find an u-cracked original like I did, or pay the big bucks and have one repadded. I'm building a semi-daily driver and it's getting a cap. They don't look too bad, and I won't be feeling it to see how soft it is too often.