Ok, I know this has probably been beat to death, and yes, I tried doing a search, but had no success. I'm trying to remove the dash, gauges, radio, and heater controls from a 79 to swap into my 77, and I can't figure out how to get the plastic trim off. I took all of the screws out, but the radio seems to be holding it in. What am I missing? Also, how does the windshield wiper **** come off? I think I know how to get the headlight **** off, but not the wiper one. Thanks for any help.


I hate interior stuff!!

 

the wiper **** should just slip right off ( at least mine does) for the light switsh you have to reach up under the dash and somewhere on the light box (motor? not sure wht to call it, the part behind the dash) is a button you have to push in to get it to release the ****. im not sure about the radio. when i took mine off to put a new radio in i had no problem getting it to come off just took out the screws and took off the light/wiper *****. but mine didnt have the original radio in it to begin with

 

 

Behind the radio face plate there are 2 screws that to be need removed.

The headlight switch **** removal procedure is listed in the FAQ thread.


The top of the bezel comes forward first as there is a plastic tab holding it in at the bottom.

 

Wow-thanks for all the help, and the great picture. I'm excited to go get it done tomorrow now-thanks again!

 

As far as the headlight switch removal goes

Read this entire thread.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ight=headlight

 

The radio is holding it in. Take the ***** of the radio, take the plastic trim piece off, and you should see the nuts on the radio control studs holding the radio to the metal framework and a couple of screws. At this point if you still have the big plastic dash trim piece on you should remove it as mentioned. There is a piece of metal frame that holds the radio and heater controls, if you undo the four bolts to this then you can work the radio out from behind maybe. I say maybe because depending on the heater set up you may have to bring it out through the front. It is also possible to undo the four bolts holding the heater controls to the metal frame and wiggle it out so you can modify the metal piece to accommodate a later style D.I.N. opening CD player

 

If you want to re-use the heater controls there is just a couple of cables to disconnect and the fan switch and dual tank switch plugs to undo, they can be stubborn, be careful, I destroyed one once.

Then you want to pull your gauges out, or gauge cluster I should say as it is one unit. Four bolts and undo the speedo cable and the big wire plug. Sometims there is slack on the cable in the eng compartment you can push into the cab so you can pull the cluster out farther to see what you are doing. Speedo is a push and pull type of thing. Big wire plug is like a long thin rectangle with a tab at each end, you press both tabs and pull out gently/firmly, the plastic is sometimes brittle on the cluster not the plug.

The dash itself.
The dash pad has 11 or 12 nuts you have to undo to separate it from the metal dash, the pad has built in studs, if you snap one there is no way to fix it that I know but maybe someone else does. You have to remove the glove box to remove the pad whether the dash is out of the truck or in.

I don't think it is necessary to remove the pad to access any hidden bolts to remove the dash but I could be wrong, its been a while.

I think there are a couple of screws in the defrost vents to undo

There is one bolt on each end of the dash holding it to the cab sides, or was that two?
I just took one out 6 months ago danit! I cant remember where any other bolts are just keep unbolting til it comes free.

If you have carpeted kick panels remove those as well

 

alright-thanks to everyone who posted here-I got it figured out now

Thanks again

 

The metal dash has 1 bolt on each end and 5 or so screw on the top behind the dash pad. Be care when taking out the bolts on each side. If they are coming out hard, don't just keep wrenching them off even if they are still unscrewing. What happens is the nut that is molded to the cab will heat up and break lose or just break apart. Then you are left with a square hole where the molded nut should be. You can't get any new ones and would have to get one from a donor truck. You'll see what I mean. The rest of it has been explained. If you are taking apart the complete dash, take some pics and just remember how to put it all together.