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Topic: lower dash

in Forum: C3 Interior


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lower dash (1/11)
 10/18/08 6:59am
mikeee
Former Member

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Oviedo, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 t-top


Joined: 9/8/2006
Posts: 267

It looks like I may have to remove dash panel above steering column to get at speedo cable for replacement.Whats envolved in removing entire dash? I may as well take it out,re-dye,change light bulbs,etc.I see the h.light switch must come out,2 bolts on underside of st. column,some plastic duct pc. But its all those wires that scare me.Upper dash pad has long ago been removed,and the w/shield is also gone.Help please. Mikey
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lower dash (2/11)
 10/18/08 12:48pm
VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe


Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

With the windshield and upper dash out, you can reach down from above to release the speedo cable, so you don't need to remove the whole dash. 

If you still want to redo the dash, take off the bottom cover and unbolt the steering column and let it sag.  There are two screws on the left side of the dash panel that you get to with the door open, and two from the gauge cluster.  Bundles of wires hang from metal straps that you bend open and release.  Take the vacuum hoses off the headlight switch and mark the order they go in.  The wires will stay pretty much where they are as you unplug them, and a wiring diagram can solve any problems in getting wires back where they came from.  But it is still a lot of monkey work getting it out and back in.

Larry
lower dash (3/11)
 10/18/08 1:51pm
suncountryLifetime Member
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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II


Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

What Larry said. I also used masking tape to label the wires so I knew where they all went when it was time to put it back togetherWink
lower dash (4/11)
 10/18/08 2:04pm
acplus
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1972, 1980


Joined: 6/23/2008
Posts: 558

 All of the wires are marked good on the back of the speedo and tach housings and for the connectors one fit in one spot...any time that I pull anything a part I take lots of digital pictures for later reference...Due to bad memory...If you move the wires on top make sure that the bulk of wires above the speedo and the tach go back on top and not fall between the back of the speedo /tach and the firewall, things fit tight.
John
lower dash (5/11)
 10/18/08 6:30pm
mikeee
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Oviedo, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 t-top


Joined: 9/8/2006
Posts: 267

First off thanks to all the responses to date.I cannot get at the speedo connector with lower dash in its factoty position.Do I need to loosen up all the mentioned things just to get at the connector? New cable looks like it screws into back of speedo,is there anything else holding it to speedo besides the screw on thingy at end of this new cable?
lower dash (6/11)
 10/18/08 7:33pm
suncountryLifetime Member
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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II


Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

If you just want to change the speedo cable you might be able to move the dash out enough without dropping the steering column. But it is not too hard to drop it a few inches. I didn't have my window out so I don't know how much room there is from the top side.
lower dash (7/11)
 10/18/08 8:23pm
andrechevy
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findlay, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 corvette stingray coupe


Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 6

I am almost sure that the cable end with the threaded end is the tranny side  but the other end should be just a slide on end with a lip that will catch on a clip, that end goes to the speedo and the clip is just like a bent washer that you will need to push the clip toward the housing and pull the cable off. the reverse to install
lower dash (8/11)
 10/18/08 8:32pm
warbird
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Roseland, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.


Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966

Mikey,
If you need the wiring diagram for your 77 PM me with your e-mail address, and I'll send you one.
Cookie
lower dash (9/11)
 10/18/08 9:49pm
acplus
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1972, 1980


Joined: 6/23/2008
Posts: 558

What andrechevy said...I do them from the bottom underneath the dash...not easy.
Why are you replacing the cable?
Yours is probably a two piece cable.
You can separate the cable under the car and attach a drill to the inner cable and spin it to see if the speedo moves...cable is OK.
I have found that the lower inner cable get seized at the union.
 
Also you can buy the inner cable replacement seperate...pull the old out...push the new in.
Hope this helps
John
lower dash (10/11)
 10/19/08 5:19pm
mikeee
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Oviedo, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 t-top


Joined: 9/8/2006
Posts: 267

I removed the cable between the trans and cruise servo which WAS mounted on inner fender well.I now want to put in a one pc. cable.Looks like the exsisting cable out the back of speedo exits thru the f/wall like a snake,not a straight shot from speedo to f/wall...couple of 90 degree turns.I am not comfortable in any of my cars while in cruise position,so no cruise in this 77. Will the column drop a little even though it is all hooked up from steering wheel to steering box. Thanks again,Mikey
lower dash (11/11)
 10/19/08 5:52pm
acplus
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1972, 1980


Joined: 6/23/2008
Posts: 558

No Cruise...what will you do with your foot on the gas pedal all the time.
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