Ok.....is the padded dash the first thing that the factory installed when making the trucks? I have a 67 and thought it would be a good idea to take out the old cracked faded dash before ordering the new dash. How the heck do you get that puppy out. I looked at the shop manual but basically there are a bunch of clips that have to be removed...bolts more then clips. Any ideas other then taking out the entire wiring, radio, glove box etc....? How many clips/bolts do I have to remove? I can see I am in for some treat unless someone can give me a hand.....thanks jml

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 26-Jul-01 AT 06:13 PM (EST)[/font][p]This is how I did it in my '68 without breaking anything... although expect cuts and blood!

Take the gauge panel, glove box, and radio out. The gauge panel is held on by about 6 screws and then you will have to CAREFULLY reach under the dash to disconnect the wiring harness and speedo cable. Don't pull too hard otherwise you'll be sure to break the wiring harness and/or speedo cable. Stop, drink a beer.
The radio faceplate has two screws in the upper portion of it. Also take off the *** dials and the 2 nuts holding the radio "*** arms" to the face plate. Behind the radio there is a support bracket that holds the radio in place. This will have to be undone to get the radio out, or at least out of the way. Stop, drink a beer. The glove box is another 6 screws and you're done. No small feat, but necessary to access all the little "nuts". Once you get those things clear, there are small nuts spaced out about every 6-8" all behind the front of and on top of the metal dash shell. It's a bear to get at if you have large hands like me. Stop, drink more beer and cuss as you look at your mangled hands. It's all worth it to get rid of that nasty cracked dash. ENJOY!

-Sturzinator

http://www.geocities.com/sturzinator/1968F250.html

 

Stur.....If I understand you right, its only a 3 beer job.....Perhaps, but it looks like it may turn into a sixpack when it is all said and done. Thanks for the advice, I kind of figured on the glove box for sure, I have small hands so I might be able to reach up behind the instrument panel but I was kind of hoping not to have to take radio out. Oh well, what is a restoration job without having to go the extra mile or 100. Now.....the only question is , which microbrew? jml

 

Pretty much the way I removed the on my 73. Except I don't remember taking out the radio, but I probably did. I think there were about 10, maybe 12, nuts to remove and "Voila" it was off.
Of course being Canadian I vaguely remember taking more beer breaks I also seem to remember the beer costing more than the dashpad.
But, as mentioned, it was worth it to see the "uncracked" dashpad installed.

Sparky

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 26-Jul-01 AT 11:23 PM (EST)[/font][p]3 Beer minimum.... I'm from the Rockies, so the beer of choice is Moose Drool, Spanish Peaks, or a good Oregon brew!

Flipping dash installation was NOT intended for large people like me. As I said, that's how I did it.... you may be able to reach in those unforeseen places that my mongoloid hands couldn't. Removing the radio could give you the chance to "upgrade" to whatever nobby tape deck that you can find at a pawnshop or way out of date car stereo shop. They looked at me real funny like when I told them I wouldn't, under any circumstances, cut my dash for a CD player that does everything but massage your boys while you drive. Fascists!!! AM works fine for now... that is when you can hear it over the engine.

The wounds have healed now, and my dash looks great! Good luck!

-Sturzinator

http://www.I can't get the damn HTML codes to work so you'll have to cut and paste if you wanna see my webpage.com


http://www.geocities.com/sturzinator/1968F250.html

 

All right...Moose Drool! Fantiastic beer I found last year up in northern washington.....great dark ale..I had one the other night. Otherwise I prefer Fat Tire..... amber ale. I worked my way through the dashpad dismantle today and didn't have to take out the radio. The glovebox is sure fire....there were atleast 6 of those buggers that needed to come out from that access. I could reach my hand around everything else except I took out the left defroster hose. Not much of a problem although had to use a mirage of tools to get them out. Now I am awaiting a dash pad I purchased through e-bay for 100$. Black so should be easy to dye.... Need to put in a 352 and I will be in business.jml

 

eBay... I bought 2 dash pads from that place. First was supposed to be a NOS, it was pulled from a junkyard. Hope your experience is different.

Fat Tire is a good amber. If you like that, try Full Sail Amber.

Oh, I almost forgot..... GO LANCE ARMSTRONG!!!!!

-Sturzinator

http://www.I can't get the damn HTML codes to work so you'll have to cut and paste if you wanna see my webpage.com

http://www.geocities.com/sturzinator/1968F250.html

 

There are also little plactic wire holders that are on some of the dash bolts. Those are on kinda snug and have to be wiggled off. The bolts are 3/8". Use one of those small ratchets with a short extension. You'll need at short open end 3/8 wrench also. When pulling the dash off, it might be stuck to the metal underneath. The dash pulls straight out and then up. Wiggle the heck out of it. When reinstalling, spray the 3/8 nuts with some WD40 and they'll go back on a lot easier. Oh, pull the heater hose out of the way.