Dash Swap Help
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 87
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From: Colorado
Dash Swap Help
Since my dash already looks like this:
I figure I'll head to the j/y and see about getting a replacement.
However, I can't get my dash to budge from the center part directly behind the instrument cluster above the steering wheel...
What am I missing?
I also noticed that this...
Was disconnected from this...
...behind the glovebox area. Does anyone know what the connector is for?
EDIT: Which dashes can be swapped with mine?
I figure I'll head to the j/y and see about getting a replacement.
However, I can't get my dash to budge from the center part directly behind the instrument cluster above the steering wheel...
What am I missing?
I also noticed that this...
Was disconnected from this...
...behind the glovebox area. Does anyone know what the connector is for?
EDIT: Which dashes can be swapped with mine?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
The unhooked wire/box is the seatbelt buzzer. Depending on year and trim level, it *could* also be a headlight warning buzzer.
As for the dash not coming loose behind the steering wheel, is that a bolt (2 actually) I see in the pic? Might explain it's resistance to moving......
As for the dash not coming loose behind the steering wheel, is that a bolt (2 actually) I see in the pic? Might explain it's resistance to moving......
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 87
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From: Colorado
Thanks RW...Yes, those are bolts but they are a good ways back from the brown plastic part so I thought that they were for supporting the steering wheel...?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Might be some others near the dash that hold the column and dash together. It's been quite a while since I dropped a column, but I seem to recall seeing a couple bolts that held the dash and column in place.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Also check for a firewall to dash bracket in that area, some years had them and some didn't
Any dash from 80 to 86 will directly bolt in place, 87 and newer requires lot of changing around of dash mounts to firewall.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
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From: Colorado
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 486
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From: Cochranville, PA
I have taken 1 or 2 of these out. There are bolts near the top corners, almost where the windshield meets the dash. Real PITA. I had to use a "thumb" wheel w/ the right size socket to remove those.
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Posting Guru
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1/4 drive 8mm shallow socket on a universal joint.
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From: Florida
O.P., you can do this easily. I pulled the original dash out of my truck three times, and then pulled the new dash from my donor truck. So 4 times of removal, and 3 times of installation, all before I turned 17. It's not that hard at all. As was said, get that bolt on the steering column upper support. There's also bolts on either side of the cab by where the kick panels attach. And then those two very fun ones at the base of the windshield.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 87
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From: Colorado
You could be forgiven for thinking that this is a dash board. However, what it really is is a demon from hell masquerading as a 1985 F-250 dash!
So I found out that this part wouldn't budge...
...because of THIS:
Considering that there is only about 1" of space between that and the metal behind it, I couldn't even get my stubby screw driver to grab it. Friends...that's my definition of evil right there...to get to it properly I would have had to take all of this apart:
No way was I going to do that...decided to pull out all the stops and got medieval with it...
Of course the medieval route won't help me with the replacement so I need a better way for the j/y tomorrow. Any ideas? Is there a special 90 degree tool with a philips head on it?
Oh yeah, a nice tip I'd like to pass along. If you decide to change out the pads on your pedals with ones from a j/y, put them in the sun for a little while. The head makes it much easier to put them on without cracking.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 87
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From: Colorado
O.P., you can do this easily. I pulled the original dash out of my truck three times, and then pulled the new dash from my donor truck. So 4 times of removal, and 3 times of installation, all before I turned 17. It's not that hard at all. As was said, get that bolt on the steering column upper support. There's also bolts on either side of the cab by where the kick panels attach. And then those two very fun ones at the base of the windshield.
I found a 90 degree screw driver thing from HF that only requires a small 1" clearance to use. So if anyone else wants to do it the wrong way, the tool is called "ScrewDriver Right Angle".
Thanks for all the help on this guys!
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I have taken 1 or 2 of these out. There are bolts near the top corners, almost where the windshield meets the dash. Real PITA. I had to use a "thumb" wheel w/ the right size socket to remove those.
I use these:
.
.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
That's one way to get it out. Dropping the colum down with the mounting bolts would not cause any issues and gives you all the access needed. DO PUT that screw back in as if you don't , that dash will wander around and make noises(been there, done that).
As you have the dash out, its a good time to fix any rust on the firewall area. Thats what I am getting ready to do on my 84 F250
Hay, Ctubutis nice avatar there! Should the bra be on the ears?
As you have the dash out, its a good time to fix any rust on the firewall area. Thats what I am getting ready to do on my 84 F250
Hay, Ctubutis nice avatar there! Should the bra be on the ears?