Dash pad removal and installation

[Forsche]

Just bought a nos blue dashpad for my '68 bump. I'm wondering how difficult these are to remove the old one and install the nos unit. My old original one is actually in quite good shape but does have cracks around the speaker grill. Is this a reasonable DIY project for someone who is not a mechanic but is reasonably competent at figuring things out? Has anyone outlined specific direction for this removal and install?

[Calfdemon]

Yeah, its easy enough... Just a little time consuming... Easiest way to get access to everything you need is to take out your glove box and instrument cluster. Up under the dash, in both the front and back are a number of studs that poke through the dash from the pad with nuts on them holding them in place. If my memory serves me right, somewhere between 12 and 15 of them. If you have another pad, then you can see the studs and exactly where they are on your new pad. Just find those studs under the dash and remove each nut. Once you have all of the nuts off, then you can remove your old pad. Replace your new pad the same way... Secure each nut and then put your glove box and instrument cluster back in.

Simple stuff.

[Forsche]

Thanks. Based on your description it does sounds like it requires more patience than skill. Fortunately I have a little of both. I just don't trust some service people to these jobs these days. Unfortunately I find that their greater skills are often counter-balanced by my greater care and patience. In the end, my job can be just as good or better than theirs.

One question about the dash cluster, do all of the connectors simply unplug so that you can remove the cluster out of the way?

[Calfdemon]

Yeah... Just unscrew your dash cluster, and also reach behind from under the dash and unscrew the speedo cable from the back of the speedometer. Once you have the dash unscrewed and speedo cable disconnected, you can pull it out enough to get behind it with your hand(usually) and then you can unplug the cluster from the wiring harness. It is one large white plug. If you cannot get the cluster out enough to get your hand behind it, then you will need to unplug it from underneath, but that is a PITA. Other than the screws holding it to the dash, the only other 2 things holding it in are the speedo cable and the dash wiring. Once those are disconnected, the cluster comes right out.

[Forsche]

Thanks. It sill be a couple of weeks before I can get to it but sounds easy enough to tackle. I'll take some before and after pics...and maybe a few "during" pics also.

[flyboy2610]

When removing the old dash pad, work slowly. 40+ years of sitting in the sun can get these dash pads well secured to the dash. Get something like a paint stir stick or a PLASTIC drywall putty knife (don't use metal, it'll scratch the paint.) and slowly work the pad loose from the dash. I recall when removing the pad form my '68 F100 it was stuck on there pretty good.

[uomonero]

Where O Where did you find the dash pad

[Forsche]

Uomonero...I actually found it on ebay. And I actually have two. Found the other one about a year ago but I think it might be for '69 since the speaker grill is in the same position but has a solid section dividing it into two sections. They are both nos blue pads. I plan on installing the one I like best and will likely sell the other one.

[Forsche]

My weekend project arrived. Nos blue dash for the bump.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wfkmhye49dyn8 ... y.JPG?dl=0

[Calfdemon]

Wow! That is purty!

[Forsche]

Thanks to those of you who helped me understand how to replace my dash pad. Did it today and it well quite smoothly. Took a couple of hours. The new now pad is a lighter blue than the original pad. I've take a few pics of the old dash pad, the bare metal dash before installation of the new pad, and the new pad after installation. All in all, it was a breeze.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/esta8k3q19jtr ... 2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/r9d0m540kmwgd ... 5.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mq6dyqv6jfnzx ... 2.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qjpccbdxb3r24 ... 0.JPG?dl=0

[jlb]

looks good.. I'd like to take my dash pad off and just have the metal dash. However, my truck has been painted and under the dash is a different color.. I just like the other look, because when I was a kid - the one I had didn't have a pad.

[Forsche]

Yes, JLB, I was surprised how "Finished" the paint under the pad looked. It was almost perfect and looked waxed....better than the exterior paint although that is 45 years old!

[CharlaineC]

Check the dot laws because if I'm not mistaken the dash-pad is a mandatory safety (why?) item. When I civilized my old hmmv that was one of the things I had to add.

[Tonianne]

Hi

I can't figure out how to get the darn instrument cluster out. The grille that covers the wiring box has small bolts in it but it's hard to get to them bcz the dash is in the way. I can't figure out how to disconnect all the wiring to pull it out and am afraid of messing something up with the wiring.

Do you have addl info on how to do this?

Thanks
Tonianne