Dash Removal Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Already Gone** · 06-19-2006, 10:35 PM

I got some time tomorrow and I want to change the dash bezel on my truck. I tried this a couple of weeks ago thinking it would be a snap. I found out it isn't a snap. My question is when you take all the screws off the front of the dash will it pull forward enough so I can undo the speedo, tach & gauges or do I have to ( and I am getting a little old for this ) crawl under the dash and unhook everything before I undo the front of the dash.

Longhorn Man · 06-19-2006, 10:51 PM

Under dash boogie all the way.
Besides, you'll need to do this for the headlamp switch too.

TugOwar · 06-19-2006, 10:52 PM

I can reach up behind the cluster with my left hand and unscrew the speedo cable. Then, with the bezel screws removed, you should be able to pull the cluster out a couple of inchs, barely enough, but enough to get a 5/16 wrench in to unscrew the oil pressure line. With that done you should have enough room to reach in and unplud the gauge harness, probably enough for both hands if necessary. I put mine back in reverse order.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

byrd · 06-19-2006, 11:33 PM

Check the FAQ's as there is a good write up on this in there

HeavyD · 06-20-2006, 01:06 AM

In my experience the oil pressure line was the biggest PITA to undo. Rest can be done by reaching arm up behind dash without having to get upside down in the cab or anything.

farside847 · 06-20-2006, 11:55 AM

Yeah, vac and oil line are a PITA. I always remember to put a wrench right under the sholderblade when ever Im under there.....

**Already Gone** · 06-20-2006, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the responses guys.. I can reach up and under and get the headlite switch , its the rest that I'm not looking forward to.. You 'd think GM would have designed the dash better so you wouldn't have to dismantle it to change a bezel.. I'll let you know how I make out, I'll be trying this afternoon.

Bob Moore · 06-20-2006, 01:30 PM

Much easier if you take the steering wheel off and drop the column down.

Good luck - Bob

PanelDeland · 06-20-2006, 04:28 PM

farside, I do too.But I always have to make sure the wrench I put under my shoulderblade is the one I need.That's so I have to crawl out and do it all over again.A couple of times I have even been able to have the wrench get under the same shoulder again before I could complete the job.

byrd · 06-20-2006, 08:04 PM

bob moore has got it right, you should remove the little U shaped piece where the dash and steering column neet. You then can see a 1/2" or 9/16" bolt the hols the column up tight in there and you can remove the bolt to drop the column down about 2" to help with clearance. You should for sure drop the column down when trying to reinstall the dash with the new bezel on to help avoid any damage.

xfsketch · 06-30-2006, 09:41 AM

I recently took by dash bezel out but I was just inspecting the wire harness. I took the screws out of the bezel and for the life of me couldnt figure out why the thing wouldnt come out. Then I saw the speedometer cable after I layed on the cab floor, I unscrewed it easily with left arm sitting on the seat.(laying on the cab floor is a PITA for real!) The idea of the wrench under your shoulder is a good one! I will use that one as well. A word of caution- Watch your wires arent jammed under the bezel when you mount the new one on. I know its hokey but I didnt see mine were b4 and I crimped the wires pretty good. They still work fine.

06-19-2006, 10:35 PM	#1
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,139	Dash Removal Question I got some time tomorrow and I want to change the dash bezel on my truck. I tried this a couple of weeks ago thinking it would be a snap. I found out it isn't a snap. My question is when you take all the screws off the front of the dash will it pull forward enough so I can undo the speedo, tach & gauges or do I have to ( and I am getting a little old for this ) crawl under the dash and unhook everything before I undo the front of the dash. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

06-19-2006, 10:51 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Dash Removal Question Under dash boogie all the way. Besides, you'll need to do this for the headlamp switch too.

06-19-2006, 10:52 PM	#3
TugOwar Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pleasanton, TX Posts: 1,723	Re: Dash Removal Question I can reach up behind the cluster with my left hand and unscrew the speedo cable. Then, with the bezel screws removed, you should be able to pull the cluster out a couple of inchs, barely enough, but enough to get a 5/16 wrench in to unscrew the oil pressure line. With that done you should have enough room to reach in and unplud the gauge harness, probably enough for both hands if necessary. I put mine back in reverse order. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

06-20-2006, 01:06 AM	#5
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,180	Re: Dash Removal Question In my experience the oil pressure line was the biggest PITA to undo. Rest can be done by reaching arm up behind dash without having to get upside down in the cab or anything. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

06-20-2006, 11:55 AM	#6
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	Re: Dash Removal Question Yeah, vac and oil line are a PITA. I always remember to put a wrench right under the sholderblade when ever Im under there..... __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

06-20-2006, 01:22 PM	#7
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,139	Re: Dash Removal Question Thanks for the responses guys.. I can reach up and under and get the headlite switch , its the rest that I'm not looking forward to.. You 'd think GM would have designed the dash better so you wouldn't have to dismantle it to change a bezel.. I'll let you know how I make out, I'll be trying this afternoon. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

06-20-2006, 01:30 PM	#8
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: Dash Removal Question Much easier if you take the steering wheel off and drop the column down. Good luck - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

06-20-2006, 04:28 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Dash Removal Question farside, I do too.But I always have to make sure the wrench I put under my shoulderblade is the one I need.That's so I have to crawl out and do it all over again.A couple of times I have even been able to have the wrench get under the same shoulder again before I could complete the job. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

06-30-2006, 09:41 AM	#11
xfsketch 72 fleetside longbed 350 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 169	Re: Dash Removal Question I recently took by dash bezel out but I was just inspecting the wire harness. I took the screws out of the bezel and for the life of me couldnt figure out why the thing wouldnt come out. Then I saw the speedometer cable after I layed on the cab floor, I unscrewed it easily with left arm sitting on the seat.(laying on the cab floor is a PITA for real!) The idea of the wrench under your shoulder is a good one! I will use that one as well. A word of caution- Watch your wires arent jammed under the bezel when you mount the new one on. I know its hokey but I didnt see mine were b4 and I crimped the wires pretty good. They still work fine. Last edited by xfsketch; 06-30-2006 at 09:43 AM.



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