What's involved in changing the dash?

[derotoreut]

My '69 C/20 dash looks like Swiss cheese (and I hate Swiss cheese anyway). It has so many holes in from the PO that I just don't know what to do. How hard is it to replace the dash? I am planning to add a Vintage Air system and it doesn't make sense to even do it to this dash. I'm wondering how I can repair or replace my dash. I know someone out there has done this before. I would appreciate any help.

[YBNORML]

I am in the process of doing this exact thing. So far I have removed an unmolested dash from my parts truck.
Here is how I did it : Remove windshield
Remove everything attached to the dash itself
Drop the column and e-brake (67-68 only)
Drill out spotwelds, , mine had about 30 they are located at the front of the dash where it meets the windshield.
There are 3 bolts on either side where the dash meets the a-pillar.
It should pop out.

That is as far as I have gotten so far. Here are a few pics of my removal The roof removal was just for fun I'm sure some others will chime in.

Depending on the severity if the damage to your dash there are other options. If it is only the center of the dash, you could cut a center section out of a good dash and weld it in. I have a dash section out in the shop, I will take some pics tomorrow so you can see what I mean.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

I am in the process of doing this exact thing. So far I have removed an unmolested dash from my parts truck.
Here is how I did it : Remove windshield
Remove everything attached to the dash itself
Drop the column and e-brake (67-68 only)
Drill out spotwelds, , mine had about 30 they are located at the front of the dash where it meets the windshield.
There are 3 bolts on either side where the dash meets the a-pillar.
It should pop out.

That is as far as I have gotten so far. Here are a few pics of my removal The roof removal was just for fun I'm sure some others will chime in.

Depending on the severity if the damage to your dash there are other options. If it is only the center of the dash, you could cut a center section out of a good dash and weld it in. I have a dash section out in the shop, I will take some pics tomorrow so you can see what I mean.

Thanks a lot. This is great stuff. How do you get access to the bolts where the dash meets the pillar? Can you reach them under the dash, or do you have to remove fenders or something?

My dash has holes on both the left and right ends (where vents would be for an A/C dash). It also has the center section butchered up to. It also has holes there and the radio was cut. I don't think a patch fix would work in a case like this. I included pictures of a portion of the center section and the left side of the dash. The right end of the dash is basically the same as the left.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

Thanks a lot. This is great stuff. How do you get access to the bolts where the dash meets the pillar? Can you reach them under the dash, or do you have to remove fenders or something?

My dash has holes on both the left and right ends (where vents would be for an A/C dash). It also has the center section butchered up to. It also has holes there and the radio was cut. I don't think a patch fix would work in a case like this. I included pictures of a portion of the center section and the left side of the dash. The right end of the dash is basically the same as the left.

The bolts are accessible from underneath the dash. They are really easy to see and remove once the rest of the stuff is out of the way.
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[mrein3]

Look at YBNORML's last two photos. Lots of guys just take the dash pad off and slice at the slots hidden under the pad. The procedure that way is [leave windshield in] remove everything from the dash, cut at the slots, unbolt, cut donor at slots, unbolt it then bolt it in your truck. Then you just weld along the slots and cover the carnage up with your dash pad. You don't even have to tell anybody you did the surgery. You can also paint the donor to match while it is outside the truck and laying flat. Just tape up where you are going to weld and hit that bare metal with weld-through primer.

[RenoKeene]

^^ What mrein3 said

[70-Chevy]

Replacing the dash was very simple when I did mine. I took the windshield out, drilled the rivets, unbolted the dash from underneath and it came right out. The new one went in just as easy.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by mrein3

Look at YBNORML's last two photos. Lots of guys just take the dash pad off and slice at the slots hidden under the pad. The procedure that way is [leave windshield in] remove everything from the dash, cut at the slots, unbolt, cut donor at slots, unbolt it then bolt it in your truck. Then you just weld along the slots and cover the carnage up with your dash pad. You don't even have to tell anybody you did the surgery. You can also paint the donor to match while it is outside the truck and laying flat. Just tape up where you are going to weld and hit that bare metal with weld-through primer.

I never thought of doing it this way, learn something new everyday on this site

Here is a pic of the center section like I mentioned in my first post. However, if I was to cut and change parts of a dash I think I would do what mrein3 suggested above.

[old Chevy guy]

What the heck did the PO have in all those holes?

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

What the heck did the PO have in all those holes?

Like I said Swiss cheese right. I have now clue why there would be so many holes. How could you possibly use all those? :sum: I just want to figure out how to repair it right.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

I never thought of doing it this way, learn something new everyday on this site

Here is a pic of the center section like I mentioned in my first post. However, if I was to cut and change parts of a dash I think I would do what mrein3 suggested above.

I must've been really tired when I got home from work. Here is the pic I meant to post earlier.

[derotoreut]

If just the center section was the culprit that would be a good fix. Mine however has holes on the left and right ends as well as the center section. I have no idea what the PO did with all these holes.

I need to replace the windshield rubber anyway, so that might be a good time to do this. Unless I do like Mrein3 mentions. Good thing I have a son-in-law who is an excellent body man.

[derotoreut]

Just an update on my dash. I got it all done. I installed a Vintage Air Kit and found an unmolested factory A/C dash from a Member on this site.

Instead of drilling out all the pinch welds we cut the old dash with a small wheel, and then did some disc grinding at the pinch weld area. With the replacement dash installed, it left the new dash a bit thicker at the site of the old pinch welds, but it was no problem at all.

The new dash was NOT welded in, but installed using the latest high strength liquid epoxy weld. I was a little nervous with this, but my son-in-law is an excellent body man, and he highly recommended it. This way it was also possible to paint the dash prior to installing it without worrying about damaging the paint by welding it in. The windshield is now installed and fits great with a new Precision rubber. Now on to bigger and better projects!

The 1st picture is of the old dash.
2nd and 3rd are pics of the new dash install
4th pic is with windshield back in

[Already Gone]

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