Removing Dash
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Tonganoxie
Removing Dash
Howdy , This is my first post here. I did some swapping with a friend and got a 79 Custom trim camper special. The truck has a 460, C6 am radio power steering, intermitent wipers, and a straight body. The 460 has good oil pressure even @ idle and it has plenty of power. There were two options the truck had which were removed long before, dual tanks (much needed) and AC (much needed also, truck is all black) When I went to pick it up, My buddy showed me a 78 supercab camper special. He picked it up to have a spare 460 for his rollback. He then tells me when do I want it delivered! I look at it and it still has the dual tanks, ac unit (intact), toolbox bed, Ranger XLT trim, cruise , fact am/fm 8 track, owners manual, with all the warranty stuff including the card with the original owner's name on it, and the Ford dealers pocket atlas. I'm hoping on turning the 79 reg cab custom into an XLT ranger, reinstall dual tanks, swap dashpads, and retrofit the ac. One problem I've run into already is trying to figure out how the remove the dashpad. ANy advice? Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
i have a 77 and i took my dash pad off. you do have to remove the glove box and gauges, and i had to undo the vent for the passenger side a/c right where it comes out into the truck. it had 2 bolts on each side almost in the corners, one directly in the middle of the dash and one where the gauges where and one where the glove box was. i hope this helps.
jason
77 f100 long bed
jason
77 f100 long bed
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Waco, TX
Just did this myself, and you really do need to take everything out of the dash, as suggested, there isn't really a shortcut here. There are TWO nuts that have to be removed from a tight spot on the far right underside of the dash, right above the a/c vent (this is a very tight spot!). There is another one just above the left center of the glove box, one in the very center of the dash, one on the vertical surface of the dash holding the down-turned center segment in place, one above the instrument cluster, and two more on the far left side. Eight nuts altogether. For best access, I didn't simply unbolt the instrument cluster, I popped the speedo and removed the entire unit, as well as unbolting the a/c controller unit. The process is a pain but well worth it for the vast improvement in appearance.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Napanee, Ontario, Canada
Taking the whole dash out may seem like a drag just to change the pad but it gives you a good chance to check out all the A/C duct work to see if it's brittle broken etc. Also allows you to do a check of the wiring harness to make sure it hasn't been cut into carelessly by previous owners. The XLT will have a glove box light that you can install while the glove box is out, as well as the chrome glove box ring that surronds the glove door. Also may be a good time to change over the custom to delay wipers from the XLT.
There are many little differences, keep us posted and
Good Luck
There are many little differences, keep us posted and
Good Luck
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Napanee, Ontario, Canada
Taking the whole dash out may seem like a drag just to change the pad but it gives you a good chance to check out all the A/C duct work to see if it's brittle broken etc. Also allows you to do a check of the wiring harness to make sure it hasn't been cut into carelessly by previous owners. The XLT will have a glove box light that you can install while the glove box is out, as well as the chrome glove box ring that surronds the glove door. Also may be a good time to change over the custom to delay wipers from the XLT.
There are many little differences, keep us posted and
Good Luck
There are many little differences, keep us posted and
Good Luck
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
Also may be a good time to change over the custom to delay wipers from the XLT.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Tonganoxie
I would like to thank you all for the help. I pulled the pad from my parts truck yesterday. I began to notice that it appears one could remove the metal portion of the dash fairly easy. I'm going to tackle that when I go to reinstall the AC.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Tonganoxie
There's no such thing as a stupid question. Once the pad is off, there is metal underneath there. I hope that is answering your question. I will prbaly take mine off and have a naked dash while I 'm upgrading the interior. Then there is less of a chance for me to damage a flawless dash pad. If you haven't pulled yours yet, do as I was advised. Pull the instrument cluster and the glove box out. Just make sure not to tear up the glove box since its made out of cardboard. I'm racking my brain but can't come up with the socket size but it is the one size smaller than 3/8. Let me know if you have anymore questions, cause I'll be into that truck again tonite.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 79camperspecial
There's no such thing as a stupid question. Once the pad is off, there is metal underneath there. I hope that is answering your question. I will prbaly take mine off and have a naked dash while I 'm upgrading the interior. Then there is less of a chance for me to damage a flawless dash pad. If you haven't pulled yours yet, do as I was advised. Pull the instrument cluster and the glove box out. Just make sure not to tear up the glove box since its made out of cardboard. I'm racking my brain but can't come up with the socket size but it is the one size smaller than 3/8. Let me know if you have anymore questions, cause I'll be into that truck again tonite.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Tonganoxie
The metal underneath the pad isn't flat and uniform as it is between the pad and the windshield bottom. I wouldn't give up looking for another pad. I got lucky, theparts truck mine came from had so much tree sap on the windshield, it blocked the sun from beating down on it. When my wife lets me have some money, I'm going to try and find another truck or parts.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Waco, TX
Originally Posted by 77fordguy
Stupid question - Can you leave the dash pad off? is there metal that goes all the way to the window or do you need to put something up there.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 79RangerJoel
Honestly, this isn't the worst idea ever. Considering how awful a split and faded dashpad looks, the naked dash with various bolt-holes and corrugations would certainly not look any worse than what you have now. Then you can keep your eye out for a used dashpad or save up for a new one. Just be sure not to put any liquids up on the dash...
I agree, it can't look any worse than the cracked/faded/stained pad that is there now.