Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brewski* · 03-10-2006, 12:16 AM

Well I broke down and became a molester. I took my unmolested 68 GMC subruban apart today. Mostly all the interior and motor box area. I had a hell of a time getting the old carpet off the wood bed floor. It came off fine everywhere else.
Questions:
1)What to use to get the spray glue off that held in the carpet?

2)I have gutted and unbolted my dash and have a mint A/C dash to replace it with. How do I cut out the old dash? What is the process to weld in the A/C Dash?

3)Upon removing the dash pad and rear panels I find out they were originally silver or pewter in color as are the seat belts. It looks as like the visors were originally the same color also. What is the GM color for this? My steering wheel, bench seats paint were a factory silver color also. One of the 2 previous owner was not too bright and painted them all a black with a rattle can. The panels were painted with the rattle can vinyl die and look pretty good. am going back to the original color scheme. It will ROCK OUT LOUD> This must have been one beauty from the factory. All that pewter and silver up against the Vermillion paint must have been stunning.

Tynee · 03-10-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewski*

2)I have gutted and unbolted my dash and have a mint A/C dash to replace it with. How do I cut out the old dash? What is the process to weld in the A/C Dash?

I don't know the BEST way to do it, but I know the WORST. I went after it with a sawzall. I wound up mangling it in a couple of places and making it basically worthless to anyone. The most important thing is to make sure you get BOTH bolts out of each end before trying to cut it out. I thought there was only one bolt on each end, and caused more damage to it than was necessary.

**truckdude239** · 03-10-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewski*

t?

2)I have gutted and unbolted my dash and have a mint A/C dash to replace it with. How do I cut out the old dash? What is the process to weld in the A/C Dash?

pull windshield and take a grinder about 30 something spot wleds at the front

Brewski* · 03-10-2006, 10:55 AM

I also heard about cutting them across the dash pad line. Anyone done that?

Bob Moore · 03-10-2006, 01:19 PM

Brewski - I have not done either one but the dash pad area make a lot more sense to me. Cutting to the windshield sounds like a nightmare for sealing the windshiels back in, etc. Under the dashpad is covered and out of sight. Maybe leave as much of the old(cut on the bottom of the slots) in place and cut the replacement as high as possible (at the top of the slots) to provide some overlap. With the bolts on the ends and the overlap it may be possible to avoid welding in the new if you were to put small fasteners(maybe pop rivits) were the 2 overlap.

Just my thoughts - Bob

red71cheyenne · 03-10-2006, 02:08 PM

Actually the windshield thing is not that bad. And there are spots at the end where you can line it all back up really easy. If you bolt the new dash in place as well prior to re-welding it, it helps with alignment. The only drag is drilling out the spot welds in the bottom of the frame. The nice thing is it will all be hidden by the windshield rubber gasket. Cheers! Jeff.

**uncle** · 03-10-2006, 05:12 PM

If your radio hole is not bad,just cut the holes for a/c in the dash. Even if it is you can replace a section by cutting behind the cluster and the glovebox. That way you don't have to weld as much.

**John Fabris** · 03-10-2006, 06:14 PM

Having done both ways of removing a dash, (full dash, cutting spotwelds at windshild flange, and cutting dash along slots under dash pad), if I have to do this again, I would just keep the dash in there and cut the three holes needed for the vents. The amount of time to remove and replace a dash is much longer then cutting three holes PERIOD!!!!

03-10-2006, 12:16 AM	#1
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz Well I broke down and became a molester. I took my unmolested 68 GMC subruban apart today. Mostly all the interior and motor box area. I had a hell of a time getting the old carpet off the wood bed floor. It came off fine everywhere else. Questions: 1)What to use to get the spray glue off that held in the carpet? 2)I have gutted and unbolted my dash and have a mint A/C dash to replace it with. How do I cut out the old dash? What is the process to weld in the A/C Dash? 3)Upon removing the dash pad and rear panels I find out they were originally silver or pewter in color as are the seat belts. It looks as like the visors were originally the same color also. What is the GM color for this? My steering wheel, bench seats paint were a factory silver color also. One of the 2 previous owner was not too bright and painted them all a black with a rattle can. The panels were painted with the rattle can vinyl die and look pretty good. am going back to the original color scheme. It will ROCK OUT LOUD> This must have been one beauty from the factory. All that pewter and silver up against the Vermillion paint must have been stunning.

03-10-2006, 10:55 AM	#4
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Re: Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz I also heard about cutting them across the dash pad line. Anyone done that?

03-10-2006, 01:19 PM	#5
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz Brewski - I have not done either one but the dash pad area make a lot more sense to me. Cutting to the windshield sounds like a nightmare for sealing the windshiels back in, etc. Under the dashpad is covered and out of sight. Maybe leave as much of the old(cut on the bottom of the slots) in place and cut the replacement as high as possible (at the top of the slots) to provide some overlap. With the bolts on the ends and the overlap it may be possible to avoid welding in the new if you were to put small fasteners(maybe pop rivits) were the 2 overlap. Just my thoughts - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

03-10-2006, 02:08 PM	#6
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz Actually the windshield thing is not that bad. And there are spots at the end where you can line it all back up really easy. If you bolt the new dash in place as well prior to re-welding it, it helps with alignment. The only drag is drilling out the spot welds in the bottom of the frame. The nice thing is it will all be hidden by the windshield rubber gasket. Cheers! Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

03-10-2006, 05:12 PM	#7
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz If your radio hole is not bad,just cut the holes for a/c in the dash. Even if it is you can replace a section by cutting behind the cluster and the glovebox. That way you don't have to weld as much.

03-10-2006, 06:14 PM	#8
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Gutted the Suburban. How to cut the dash?zz Having done both ways of removing a dash, (full dash, cutting spotwelds at windshild flange, and cutting dash along slots under dash pad), if I have to do this again, I would just keep the dash in there and cut the three holes needed for the vents. The amount of time to remove and replace a dash is much longer then cutting three holes PERIOD!!!! __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB



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