I need to replace the speaker on the drivers side of my 74 vette. I already have the Passenger side removed, and the center console with radio is removed, now I need to get the cluster out so I can get to the speaker on the drivers side. Do I need to drop the Steering column down in order to remove this? I plan on replacing all dash bulbs while I have this out as well. Is there any other components that I should take care of while I am this far? I hate to have to go back in after I get it back together to do something simple that I could take care of now.
Thanks Rodney

You don't have to remove the dash cluster to get to either of the speakers. Just remove the dash pad...the piece that goes across the top that the speakers are mounted to. Remove the two side post moldings, take the screws out of the defroster vent area, and the ones across the top of the cluster and center, where the A/C vents are, and you can pull the dash pad off, with the speaker(s) attached. You may need to "bend" the pad upward in the middle to get it out, but it is not hard to do.
Once you have the top dash pad off, you can see much easier to get to the cluster bulbs, if you want to replace them, and it will make it easier to get the cluster out away from the dash, so you'll have more room, without dropping the column.

FYI, I recently did a similar project, and just as a warning, you might want to start buying bulbs now, or hit a number of auto parts stores.  It's unlikely that one place will have enough packs of 1895 bulbs that you'll need!

You cannalso get a complete bulb replacement kit from Eckler's or one of the other Vette suppliers.