Dash Harness Questions

[Winston]

I am about to bite the bullet and purchase the dash harness from Year One.  I am wanting to know if this is a job I can do with the dash in the car.  Is it much easier to take accomplish this mission with the dash out?  Currently, all of the interior is out of the car, and I could throw a thin mattress in there for comfort.  I already know it will be a battle for me since I have never installed a dash harness, and I know very little about this stuff.  Fortunately, the old harness is still in there, and I can take pictures and know where everything is supposed to go.  I guess what I am really asking is...how can I make this easiest on myself and do the job right?

[Carlwalski]

I would say the dash out mate. 
It would take extra time to remove the dash of course but installing the harness would be a lot easier.


Good luck with how ever you wish to do it mate. 

[4Cruizn]

I would say the dash out mate. 
It would take extra time to remove the dash of course but installing the harness would be a lot easier.


Good luck with how ever you wish to do it mate. 

I agree!  It sure puts it into a different perspective with the dash out.   

[Chryco Psycho]

it is far easier to install the harness with the Dash Out BUT if the windshield is staying in it is a nightmare to get the 4 screws back in that are in  the defroster vents

[PlumCrazy]

Take the dash out, but don't remove the old harness.  Start on the passenger side removing the old harness while installing the new, this way you can keep/peel away the harnesses as you go, new to the right old to the left.  Once you get to the main bundle at the dash you can take a pic or tag the old wires and remove them (the dash is also marked on the back) and install the new one.  Replug the pigtails as you go, don't wait until the end to do it.

[Winston]

I love this site!  Amazing.  Thanks for all the advice and pictures. 

Looks like I should replace the windshield, dash pad and dash harness at the same time to make it easier on myself in the big picture.  Hitting the lottery sure would help me fulfill this mission! 

[Moparal]

Non a/c wireing is really easy even if the dash is still in. It is easier to pull the dash and bench it, But even with the dash in, you can be done in about 3 hrs staying with it. 75% of the wires are right there between the ashtray and drivers pillar post..ie  switches. Biggest thing is old bones and being a contortionist.

[30below]

My dash is out and ive been thinking of this also.The wiring seems in good shape,no splicing.Should i replaceit?