dash pad
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 403
Likes: 8
From: Pensacola, FL
Bolts
Dakota
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,241
Likes: 5,811
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Carefully remove the dash cluster and inside of the glove box to get the best access to the little nuts holding it on, and be very patient.
Small hands and a high tolerance for things that are a PITA helps a lot too.
Use a 1/4 dv shorty ratchet and I think they are 1/4 or 5/16??
Small hands and a high tolerance for things that are a PITA helps a lot too.
Use a 1/4 dv shorty ratchet and I think they are 1/4 or 5/16??
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1
when i have to take a dash pad off i take the hole dash out. my big hands just cant get behind the one in the middle. then i have a good excuse to clean up the wiring or anything else that is needing attention
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1
ya i know. kinda the long way around. but if im take a dash pad for parts chances are there is something else in the cab i would want to.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
If you get the 8 nuts off and it still won't come off , look for 2 more as some have 10. I never knew that until i removed the one in my 73. 1/4 of the way from each side they had another one. The 79 replacement and the 77 i have as an extra have the raised flat area for them ,but no studs are there. Makes me think that after the came up with the press to make the metal backer board they decided the extra 2 studs were not needed. I have changed them out in other trucks and they all had 8 studs . So don't lift up to hard if it's stuck as it may still be bolted with the extra studs.
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thanx guys 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Bancroft, MI
Can you tell me the easiest way to remove the entire dash? I'm replacing the dash pad and painting the dash. I'd like to clean up back there too. Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14,724
Likes: 0
From: Gods Country, Kansas
Drop the steering column, take out 2? bolts on each side of the dash (drivers and passengers) then there is a row of bolts on the top of the dash that you need to take out. Before hand make sure you undo all wiring to the radio, A/C, and such.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I replaced mine a few months back. Took forever. I had to get my wife to help get at some of the nuts near the middle of the dash. Though you may not want to, just remove everything first including the heating unit and stereo (with bracket), instrument cluster and glove box. You will be glad that you did and you'll have fewer cuts on your hands when the project is over.