Dashboard removal help
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Dashboard removal help
Hey all, I'm new here, I'll put up a proper intro thread after I get everything back together.
I recently got a 1980 F250 400 4x4. The body's in rough shape, and there's some rust, but it's otherwise solid.
The radio stopped working, I decided to replace it. I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the dashboard off. I've removed all the screws, but it seems like there's something holding it down in the front center between the defrost duct and the firewall. I can lift the near side by about half an inch before the shaped front catches against the face of the dash. I am going crazy trying to look/ get in there and figure out what's going on.
Is there a trick for getting the dash off that I don't know about? Is there a fastener in the front center of the dash?
My manual is absolutely useless here.
Side question- the doors look like they have places for speakers to go, but no holes for wires... does anyone have speakers in their doors?
I recently got a 1980 F250 400 4x4. The body's in rough shape, and there's some rust, but it's otherwise solid.
The radio stopped working, I decided to replace it. I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the dashboard off. I've removed all the screws, but it seems like there's something holding it down in the front center between the defrost duct and the firewall. I can lift the near side by about half an inch before the shaped front catches against the face of the dash. I am going crazy trying to look/ get in there and figure out what's going on.
Is there a trick for getting the dash off that I don't know about? Is there a fastener in the front center of the dash?
My manual is absolutely useless here.
Side question- the doors look like they have places for speakers to go, but no holes for wires... does anyone have speakers in their doors?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
First, let's get the terminology agreed. There are the following:
I think you can get the radio out by removing the *****, the radio bezel, and then the nuts around the shafts and the support at the back. I think. Take a look and I can go get the Ford manual if need be.
- Dash cover, the thing that has the speaker opening in the center and all the cracks. It comes off with a few screws under the front edge and several at the back in the defroster outlets. But, IIRC, it doesn't have to come off to get the radio out.
- Radio bezel, the thing that the radio ***** go through. It comes off with a couple of screws at the top and maybe two at the bottom, but the radio ***** have to come off first.
- Dash - The thing that stretches from door to door. Doesn't have to come out to get to the radio.
I think you can get the radio out by removing the *****, the radio bezel, and then the nuts around the shafts and the support at the back. I think. Take a look and I can go get the Ford manual if need be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Dallas, GA
I would also guess that the nuts that go on the radio shafts are what is probably holding it on.
Also...yes there are speaker openings in the door. It all depends on what stereo your truck originally came with. If it was just an AM radio, you got a speaker in the middle of the dash cover...on top. If you had a "stereo", then there would be speakers in the doors and the wiring harness would be there for that. The wires go through a flexable conduit by the door hinges.
Also...yes there are speaker openings in the door. It all depends on what stereo your truck originally came with. If it was just an AM radio, you got a speaker in the middle of the dash cover...on top. If you had a "stereo", then there would be speakers in the doors and the wiring harness would be there for that. The wires go through a flexable conduit by the door hinges.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
If you are trying to pull the top of the dash off, that is the dash pad, and there are 4 screws at the very front near the windshield base, as well as about 8 or 9 along the front edge. If you're trying to pull the radio bezel, and you have a stock radio, then you need to pull the ***** off, and remove the two screws at the top. Once you do that, pull the top of the radio bezel towards you, and then pull it up.
If a previous owner added his own radio, all bets are off as to how he has it mounted and how you can get the radio bezel out.
If a previous owner added his own radio, all bets are off as to how he has it mounted and how you can get the radio bezel out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
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From: Dallas, GA
I think he's just trying to get the radio out...shouldn't have to remove the dash cover for that right?
Last edited by 82f100460; Mar 15, 2012 at 07:16 PM. Reason: miss spellling
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Right. Assuming it is the stock radio. As WJ said, all bets are off if it isn't.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Rock Valley, IA
I am glad that he asked about the dash though. I was wondering that myself. The radio bezel is very easy to remove. 4 screws I believe. I hope yours wires are not like mine. The PO took out the stock harness in mine. *sigh*
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New User
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Sorry about the mixup, I was talking about the speaker under the dash pad. I'm sure I've gotten all the screws out. so I'm hearing it should just lift off? No clips or anything? I'm worried it might be jammed against the windshield if there aren't any fasteners.
I'll give it some more oomph and see if that does it.
I'll give it some more oomph and see if that does it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Rocky Mountain High
I just had mine off a few days ago.
The screws along the front edge of the dash are obvious - hunker down with a flashlight and look all along the edge to make sure you got 'em all, including the two that hold in the "cluster bezel" (that big plastic piece that surrounds the radio and temp controls).
Then, there are four more screws, in the defroster ducts very close to the windshield. Put your chin up over the dash and you can see 'em. Use a longer screwdriver and consider a magnetized parts grabber so they don't fall down the rabbit hole.
There's nothing else holding the dash. I'd be very cautious about giving it a big push, as it may very well crack to pieces on you. There's a substantial void under the dash, shouldn't be hanging up on anything... if you try to force it or pry it up, I think you're going to regret it.
The screws along the front edge of the dash are obvious - hunker down with a flashlight and look all along the edge to make sure you got 'em all, including the two that hold in the "cluster bezel" (that big plastic piece that surrounds the radio and temp controls).
Then, there are four more screws, in the defroster ducts very close to the windshield. Put your chin up over the dash and you can see 'em. Use a longer screwdriver and consider a magnetized parts grabber so they don't fall down the rabbit hole.
There's nothing else holding the dash. I'd be very cautious about giving it a big push, as it may very well crack to pieces on you. There's a substantial void under the dash, shouldn't be hanging up on anything... if you try to force it or pry it up, I think you're going to regret it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
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From: Dallas, GA
Just took a second look and nothing else holding it down...or at least not supposed to be. Took some pictures so you can see what it all looks like underneath. Just like said above...8 screws in front (3 on each side and 2 in the middle above radio) and 4 in the back (2 in each defroster vent).
You wouldn't happen to have an aftermarket speaker in the center that may have the grill screwed through the dash cover into the frame below?
Hope this helps. You may just have some gunk around the edges so go easy all the way around and take it easy.
You wouldn't happen to have an aftermarket speaker in the center that may have the grill screwed through the dash cover into the frame below?
Hope this helps. You may just have some gunk around the edges so go easy all the way around and take it easy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, GA
