How difficult is it to replace the whole dash? (radio hack)

[m6z]

What would be easier? Change out the entire dash or just replace the cut out section? I know the dash is bolted in, but isn't it also welded along the windshield? Just thinking about it. I should prob. quit thinking about it and get back to work, but all I can think about is lunch and this dash question... Truck in question is currently in driver status and I want to make the downtime/disassembley as little as possible.

[cdowns]

the easy way is getting a good solid original dash


if you take the dash pad off under the pad the ridge is perforated just cut along the dotted line take oue 4bolts put new dash in and tack weld at the dotted line

i've done it this way in less than a day with the truck back on the road complete even painted too

[stomper]

I'm planning on doing it just the way cdowns says. ...cut along the dotted line under the dash pad and weld in there. I assume I'll have to take out everything behind the dash and I have AC so that will be fun! I've never replaced one before but plan on just going for it.

I've most often seen dashes for sale that have been removed at the spot welds below the windshield so that it has the top where the speaker and defroster vents are. Is there an advantage to welding it in there vs behind the pad?

(I'm also daydreaming about trucks instead of working)

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by cdowns

the easy way is getting a good solid original dash
if you take the dash pad off under the pad the ridge is perforated just cut along the dotted line take oue 4bolts put new dash in and tack weld at the dotted line
i've done it this way in less than a day with the truck back on the road complete even painted too

Sounds like a good way to do it... I have a neighbor that was saying he could remove the dash on his junked truck to sell to me by drilling out the spot welds under the windshield. He said he has done it this way before but said the front windshiled would have to be removed.

The above method seems easier.

[m6z]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Sounds like a good way to do it... I have a neighbor that was saying he could remove the dash on his junked truck to sell to me by drilling out the spot welds under the windshield. He said he has done it this way before but said the front windshiled would have to be removed.

The above method seems easier.

Yeah. that does seem easier and the dashpad would hide the seam.

[bcutt]

I drilled out all the spot welds and unbolted my dash to remove i because of rust issues and because i was tearing the truck down completely. If I was only worried about where the radio goes i would do it like CDowns said and cut underneath the dash pad and remove the 2 bolts on either side. Here is a couple pics of what it looks like with the dash removed.

[m6z]

Thanks for the pics. So all the spot weld are on the windshield channel?

[bcutt]

Yep, the winshield will have to be removed to drill them out.
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[m6z]

Originally Posted by bcutt

Yep, the winshield will have to be removed to drill them out.
Posted via Mobile Device

cool. that doesn't seem to bad, but more involved then cutting it at the dash pad seam.