Instrument cluster. How to remove

[grs]

My cluster won't come out. It is an 87. The yard had to cut part of the dash to get the one I bought out.

[Keith Seymore]

The bottom of the cluster is obscured by a few millimeters by the bottom of the dash structure, but you should be able to "roll" it out by pulling on the top of the cluster first.

Check my build thread (linked below) - there should be some pictures of the cluster removal and installation.

K

[grs]

Thanks, There is a lot of metal by the bottom of the cluster. Nothing is easy. I also posted a problem removing the plugs on the back of the cluster. Thanks.

[grs]

Thanks Keith, But your thread did not show how to take the cluster out. I don't know how to get the wires unhooked also. You do have a very nice truck.

[Keith Seymore]

ok - sorry 'bout that.

Can you post a pic of the interference? I'd like to see if it matches mine.

Regarding the plugs, they have positive retention with a little release lever you have to squeeze (which should be obvious once you get the cluster out). There shouldn't be any threaded fasteners on the back of the cluster except for the VSS (speed sensor) for cruise control. Does your truck have cruise?

K

[grs]

My truck does not have cruise. Here is a pic of the connector that has a small screw or bolt. I almost have the cluster out. I am posting my dash bezel that the Po messed up.

[Keith Seymore]

I think I'm trackin with ya now -

When you talked about cutting the cluster out of the dash I though you had some kind of hard interference with the dash structure. I see now you are talking about a typical removal, as follows:

a) Make sure you "unclip" the speedo cable from the back of the speedo. It uses that metal clip, by pushing it toward you and pulling the cluster slightly the cable should pop out.

b) undo that VSS wire, with the small screw (1/4" head, if I remember correctly)

c) There should be one bulb, in the upper right, which has the light tube (fiber optic cable) that runs to the ashtray. You'll need to remove that bulb socket from the back of the cluster housing.

d) after all that, you should be able to roll the cluster out as mentioned in my original post.

K

[grs]

I do have a hard surface from the metal dash. I have that a little bit loose. I will try to do that tomorrow. Thanks men.

[grs]

I got it out. Had to take the head light switch out. Had to use a small screw driver to get the big wire connector out. And unscrewed the small screw. It is a pain in the what ever.

[grs]

Originally Posted by grs

I got it out. Had to take the head light switch out. Had to use a small screw driver to get the big wire connector out. And unscrewed the small screw. It is a pain in the what ever.

If you follow the vehicle speed censer wire to a green box. I could have unplugged it there. Then removed the wires from a clip in the top of the dash.

[rayfinseats]

Take the dash pad off. Easier to get to that way. The speedometer cable will hang you up. Just did my 83.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by rayfinseats

Take the dash pad off. Easier to get to that way. The speedometer cable will hang you up. Just did my 83.

Yep - that's good advice.

K

[grs]

I have the dash pad out, and the seat. I did get the cluster out. I hope all the other gauges will work. My oil gauge reads low to high. The one I am putting in reads 0 to 60 lbs. I did check the bulbs, and found some bad ones. I checked the speedo with a drill, and it works. I dread putting it back in.

[grs]

I got the cluster back in. Took forever.

[IdahoMan]

Goodgreif.

All this to change some bulbs? :S

I want to get my cluster out to look at what's back there. I have the four black nut/screws off and thought I could just "open" it outward to look. But like everything else on these trucks I guess I'm going to have to preform some kind of exotic gymnastics to get to something simple.

BUMP BTW.