I am trying to remove my dash. My truck is an '86 F-250. I am trying to remove the piece directly above the steering wheel. Not the top of the dash but the "wood grain" piece. I have it loose and free form everything but I cannot slip it off the steering column. I'm afraid of breaking it by pulling to hard. Is there a trick or do I have to remove the steering wheel?

 

First, remove the shroud around the steering column, there is one Phillips screw on the bottom holding it together.

You are wanting to remove the gauge cluster bezel, not the entire dash.

 

I had mine off a couple times over the last week. I just rotated mine upside down and it slid off fairly easy. I didnt know about the one screw for the column cover.

 

That shroud I described earlier, it might be harder to remove than I first described... yes, there is just the one screw holding it together, but there's a trim panel under there that will maybe get in the way that would need to first be removed (forgot about that).

something I remember doing is moving one "leg" of the bezel forward and the other one back, I think I've gotten 'em off thataway before....

 

You can gdt it upside down and slide it up to the gap on the column covers. A little pressure will slide it off easy. An easy twist like your talkin about will slide it back on but right side up this time. Atleast thats what worked for me.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I already had that lower piece so off so when I looked I saw the screw you mentioned. I removed that and the shroud and it was easy to get the bezel off. I had the bezel all way up to the steering wheel turning it around trying to twist it off , definitely easier to remove the shroud. Gauge cluster is next! I have most of it off just have to unplug it the wires and cable. I found a thread on here discussing that so I'll give it a go tomorrow.

 

Your wires have a leg on both sides you need to flex out to remove it.
The speedo cable has 1 leg to flex out to remove it.
4 screws hold the bezel in. 5 bulbs light up the cluster. Part# 194. 5 bulbs for the info lights, same part#. If you remove the cluster bulbs (they twist out) may as well poke out the filters inside the bulbholes. Firm push wit a stubby screwdriver or pencil. Really brightens up the cluster.

 

I got the cluster out! I want remove the rest of it now. I think I have to remove the heater, stereo, and glovebox next. I want to remove everything for a few reasons: 1) my dash is broken where the park brake bracket bolts to it, 2) my clutch pedal will not return when pressed down without the aid of a bungee cord and I want to see what's going on, 3) the insulation/rubber mat against the firewall is wet and gross, I am seeing rust as well. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Slow going because I have the truck stored at the shop I work for. Can only work on it during breaks or if someone is staying late.

 

My suggestion to you is to take pictures so you know how everything goes back together. Plus it helps to have two people when you go to put it back in.

 

I have been taking lots of pictures, I've got Ziploc bags as well. I've learned the hard way on a car I worked on. Quite a puzzle to fit everything in the proper place when it's been apart for a month.

 

It might be nice if you upload the pictures and make a sticky of this because it will help answer some questions for others that want to do this same thing.