Dash Removel 101 - Forums - Official C3 Vette Registry - C3 Corvette Registry

Home page

☰

SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors! | Advertise Here

Topic: Dash Removel 101

in Forum: C3 Interior

Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Hide Signatures

Dash Removel 101 (1/17)
4/5/09 10:57pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I decided to replace the tach cable, clock and speakers. Issues with all. Right dash wasn't bad to remove. Center console had me cussing more than a little and now the left dash has got me wanting to beat the dog..............if he only didn't bite back. According to the service manual there are only five steps. ( I've already taken at least a couple more than that) You then lift the dash out to where you can then fit your hand behind the dash to remove the lights, tach and speedo cables. Problem is the dash only moves out to where it wants to go under the housing cover. I can't seem to get it out far enough to get my hands behind it to work. I just can't tug on it any harder than I am because I feel like I'm going to break something. I could try something a little harder, like Herion, but the problem is still going to be there tomorrow. Maybe some of you can enlighten me as to how you've been able to take your dash out. Maybe I'll just take two beers and look at it in the morning............

Our Sponsors help support C3VR

Dash Removel 101 (2/17)
4/5/09 11:14pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

Have you removed the top pad?

Dash Removel 101 (3/17)
4/5/09 11:39pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I removed it Scott. The dash itself doesn't seem to want to move forward far enough to get my hands behind it. I undid the a/c ducts below the dash and pretty much everything else I could see. It's loose, just needs to come forward a couple more inches. It seems everytime I start tugging on something I break it.

Dash Removel 101 (4/17)
4/6/09 5:27am

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

Can't recall for sure, but I'll assume that your 73 has the mechanical tach connected to the ditributor. Disconnect the tach cable from the distributor and you get a little more leeway with that cable.

I did the speedo replacement thing a couple of years back and it was incredibly frustrating. I had done it on other GM cars in the past and it was nowhere near as difficult. I have a replacement clock and at this point, I don't think I'm going to put it in for fear of the battle to get behind that center console!

Good luck!!

manget12009-04-06 02:28:22

______________

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

��

States Visited Map

target=_blank>Click for another pic!�� And yet another!

Dash Removel 101 (5/17)
4/6/09 12:21pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205

Hope this might help...

http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructions/dash_pad_removal_instructions_new_with_pics_2.pdf

corvette440hp2009-04-06 09:22:36

______________

corvette440hp

Dash Removel 101 (6/17)
4/6/09 1:12pm

dcherr
Former Member
Send Private Message

Elkhart, IN - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Red T-Top 1972 Red Convertible

Joined: 10/7/2007
Posts: 209

Well here goes. Just had all the dash out of the 72 to refresh all the panels. To get the left hand dash out you have to take both windshield piller moldings off then take the right hand dash out then the wiper panel. Take the top screws out of the left hand dash take out the screw in the upper center of the top dash pad out then the top pad will come out. To get the left dash pad out you will have to take the 2 bolts out of the steering column. This will let the dash drop down to get your hand back behind the speedo and tack to take the cables off. (Clips hold the cables) All that is left are the dash & turn light sockets. (Good time to change bulbs).

Lots of work but it looks great when its all done Wink

Wink

Save The Wave

Dash Removel 101 (7/17)
4/7/09 1:05am

2tonevette1981
Former Member
Send Private Message

Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze

Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

As I sit here reading this I pray to the Corvette Gods that I may never have to take my dash out.

______________

Dash Removel 101 (8/17)
4/7/09 5:07am

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

While you're there, make sure you replace all of the light bulbs! You don't want to have go back again!!!

______________

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

��

States Visited Map

target=_blank>Click for another pic!�� And yet another!

Dash Removel 101 (9/17)
4/7/09 2:03pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Hmmmm....have you taken the steering column down? It needs to be lowered to get the dash out completely. There are 2 nuts/bolts that hold the column to the metal dash bracing. Take the two fasteners off, and the column will drop down enough to get the dash out far enough to get back there and dis-connect the cables, and wiring.
You may want to have something to set the steering wheel/column on while it's unbolted, so it doesn't just flop around....

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Dash Removel 101 (10/17)
4/7/09 8:30pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I'm printing out Larrys instructions and going to it. I do need to drop the steering column. And the light bulbs are going to get changed also. And I pray that the Corvette Gods insure everythjing works great and the dash never needs to come out again. I'd rather be driving it !

Dash Removel 101 (11/17)
4/7/09 8:42pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I just hit message and it reversed the order. Somebody's trying to mess with me I can see........

Dash Removel 101 (12/17)
4/14/09 4:15pm

manchestershark

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2385

IF, you have small hands you can reach the speedo cable by taking the center bezel/gauge cluster out and reach in behind it to acess the cable end. I did it on a 72. Press down on the clip and pull old one out. push in new one from outside firewall while someone, holds down the clip.

______________

Click on image for full view

Dash Removel 101 (13/17)
4/26/09 9:50am

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I installed the new tach cable, speakers and clock. Major pain in the butt. Here's the dilema. My clutch pedal is now out about three more inches more than my brake pedal. I look up under my dash and I can see where the clutch hits the clutch stop. There is a little foam peice on the clutch stop that is in good shape. (this car has less than 14,000 miles on it). The clutch stop does not appear to be bent or out of position. The brake pedal appears to be in the right position in relation to the brake stop/brake light actuator. The clutch actually feels ok. I can't start the car because I'm in the process of replacing all the belts, hoses, plugs, wires, valve cover gaskets.................you get the picture. Anyway, what do you all think? Maybe I shouldv'e taken the car to a professional and taken the Herion for myself. Item for a different post. Changing spark plugs on a big block, though not as difficult as the dash, is still major torture. (And I can hear Pink Floyd in the back ground singing "You've got to be crazy, got to have a real need."

Dash Removel 101 (14/17)
4/26/09 11:43am

dskopp
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

[QUOTE=2tonevette1981]As I sit here reading this I pray to the Corvette Gods that I may never have to take my dash out. [/QUOTE]

Ed,

The 81 is much easier to do than the 77 !

Dan

Rolling On The Floor Laughing

______________

(click to see a larger image)

Dash Removel 101 (15/17)
4/26/09 11:26pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.

Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

I'm in the middle of a dash replacement on my 82 did the heater coil, all the lights and everything else I thought could go wrong. Have lots of issues but nothing like what I have just read.

Of course I have time I having put in the divers side gauges yet.

Dash Removel 101 (16/17)
5/16/09 8:47pm

flemgunner
Former Member
Send Private Message

Scott, LA - USA

Vette(s):
77 L82 coupe

Joined: 2/26/2004
Posts: 303

Does anyone know if there is a way to replace all the dash lights to LEDs?

______________

Dash Removel 101 (17/17)
5/17/09 1:03am

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Mundelein, IL - USA

Vette(s):
1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.

Joined: 6/9/2008
Posts: 411

Yep on my 78 I replaced all bulbs to leds I left turn signals and ones that were covered by something white but all others have been changed to blue. Bought them all from this site:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/

I forget how many I bought but it was over 24

Also previous post:

https://www.c3vr.com/forum/interier-led-span-classhighlightdash-span-span-classhighlightlights-span_topic76433_post340303.html?KW=dash+lights#340303

______________

Lifetime Member #150

Recent Modifications

"Drive it like you stole it"

Our Sponsors help support C3VR