Dash bezel,etc. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Paul Clark · 06-01-2002, 05:41 PM

Got the dash pad off. No skin left on my arms.

What's the secret to removing the light knob?
Would like to remove the bezel, stuff the gauges back in the dash, paint, and then install a new bezel. What has to be removed from underneath first, and what can be left attached when I pull the old bezel out a few inches?
Thanks

Carl 70 lwb · 06-01-2002, 05:50 PM

To get the headlight knob out you have to reach under the dash to feel the light switch you will feel a button on top of the switch.
pull out the knob as far as it will go then push in the button and pull it on out. you will also have to take the spedo cable loose, the oil presure gauge line loose and pull the dash out enought to unplug the main connector to the dash
hope this helps
Carl

LeRoy · 06-01-2002, 09:49 PM

Forgot one important step. Before removing headlight switch rod. Disconnect the battery because the headlights will be on. lol Been there done that, over and over again

bobs409 · 06-02-2002, 08:28 AM

You would have saved alot of skin if you removed the bezel first. With the bezel and glove box out, the dash pads aren't too hard to remove. I even leave my radio in as there is only 1 bolt in that location and it's easily reached from the glove box opening.

Now just imagine for a minute what it would be like to remove a dash pad from a new truck. Hee hee. LOL

Almost forgot, other things that need to be removed are: speedometer cable (unscrews), and the oil pressure line. Once those are removed, you should be able to pull the bezel out enough to unplug the main harness. There may be a ground wire too. If not, I suggest adding one during the re-install.

Once the whole unit is out, it's easy to take it apart.

Paul Clark · 06-02-2002, 01:48 PM

Help quick, before I break out the hammer.

The bezel won't come out. Everything is disconnected (thanks to you guys) but it won't clear the steering colume and the dash.
Do I have to drop the steering colume?
Thanks

Longhorn Man · 06-02-2002, 01:58 PM

Some will say yes, but I have never had to. On one of the trucks I pulled one out of, I did have to force it a little, but no damage was done.
Of course, I am also talking about old crappy parts. If your chrome looks good on your bezel, I'd lower the colum.

RALLY FAST · 06-02-2002, 05:56 PM

i dont know how far you have gone, but if you have a bezel with all gauges you will have to unsrew the oil pressure line from the bezel too! unplug harness,unsrew speedo,light switch,ground wire,and if its auto there will be a fiber optics light to unplug. thats if yours has a light for the shifter pointer?

RALLY FAST · 06-02-2002, 06:01 PM

you should not have to drop column . tilt the bezel ,bottom end out then the top if that dont work try the top, tilt the top out first .it will come out. good luck

Paul Clark · 06-02-2002, 07:01 PM

Many thanks for all your replies.
Loosened the bolts for the steering colume just enough to get the gauge cluster out.
Want to paint the inside, and am wondering how far you can lower the steering colume without hurting something?
This is a great list!
Paul

06-01-2002, 05:41 PM	#1
Paul Clark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Center Point, IA Posts: 502	Dash bezel,etc. Got the dash pad off. No skin left on my arms. What's the secret to removing the light knob? Would like to remove the bezel, stuff the gauges back in the dash, paint, and then install a new bezel. What has to be removed from underneath first, and what can be left attached when I pull the old bezel out a few inches? Thanks

06-01-2002, 05:50 PM	#2
Carl 70 lwb Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Morven, NC Posts: 48	To get the headlight knob out you have to reach under the dash to feel the light switch you will feel a button on top of the switch. pull out the knob as far as it will go then push in the button and pull it on out. you will also have to take the spedo cable loose, the oil presure gauge line loose and pull the dash out enought to unplug the main connector to the dash hope this helps Carl __________________ 70 lwb w/68 front end, tube grill, shaved drip rails, power steering, 350 4 bolt main, street dominator high rise intake, holley 650, Crane Cam, accel HEI, 3 on the floor & 3.73 posi

06-01-2002, 09:49 PM	#3
LeRoy Registered truck nut Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mt. Vernon, Washington, USA Posts: 1,584	Forgot one important step. Before removing headlight switch rod. Disconnect the battery because the headlights will be on. lol Been there done that, over and over again __________________ MOUNT VERNON, WASH. STATE Need a part? Just PM me

06-02-2002, 08:28 AM	#4
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	You would have saved alot of skin if you removed the bezel first. With the bezel and glove box out, the dash pads aren't too hard to remove. I even leave my radio in as there is only 1 bolt in that location and it's easily reached from the glove box opening. Now just imagine for a minute what it would be like to remove a dash pad from a new truck. Hee hee. LOL Almost forgot, other things that need to be removed are: speedometer cable (unscrews), and the oil pressure line. Once those are removed, you should be able to pull the bezel out enough to unplug the main harness. There may be a ground wire too. If not, I suggest adding one during the re-install. Once the whole unit is out, it's easy to take it apart. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10 Last edited by bobs409; 06-02-2002 at 08:30 AM.

06-02-2002, 05:56 PM	#7
RALLY FAST Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: knox, Tenn. Posts: 150	dash i dont know how far you have gone, but if you have a bezel with all gauges you will have to unsrew the oil pressure line from the bezel too! unplug harness,unsrew speedo,light switch,ground wire,and if its auto there will be a fiber optics light to unplug. thats if yours has a light for the shifter pointer? __________________ 69 SHORT FLEET SIDE MAROON RESTORED. 71 LONG FLEET RESTORED D/DRIVER. BUT ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE 68 SHORT UNDER CONSTRUCTION

06-02-2002, 01:48 PM	#5
Paul Clark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Center Point, IA Posts: 502	Help quick, before I break out the hammer. The bezel won't come out. Everything is disconnected (thanks to you guys) but it won't clear the steering colume and the dash. Do I have to drop the steering colume? Thanks

06-02-2002, 01:58 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Some will say yes, but I have never had to. On one of the trucks I pulled one out of, I did have to force it a little, but no damage was done. Of course, I am also talking about old crappy parts. If your chrome looks good on your bezel, I'd lower the colum.

06-02-2002, 06:01 PM	#8
RALLY FAST Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: knox, Tenn. Posts: 150	you should not have to drop column . tilt the bezel ,bottom end out then the top if that dont work try the top, tilt the top out first .it will come out. good luck __________________ 69 SHORT FLEET SIDE MAROON RESTORED. 71 LONG FLEET RESTORED D/DRIVER. BUT ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE 68 SHORT UNDER CONSTRUCTION

06-02-2002, 07:01 PM	#9
Paul Clark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Center Point, IA Posts: 502	Many thanks for all your replies. Loosened the bolts for the steering colume just enough to get the gauge cluster out. Want to paint the inside, and am wondering how far you can lower the steering colume without hurting something? This is a great list! Paul



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