dash pad replacement

[Bow tie fan]

can't figure out how to reach nuts on out side corners of dash.

[LockDoc]

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You just about have to remove the instrument cluster and glove box liner. I have removed them without doing it but couldn't get them back on.

LockDoc

[Lattimer]

Remove instrument cluster and glovebox liner. Stand on your head. Cuss loudly for 20 minutes.

I wound up using a wobbly extension to reach those, but still needed the glovebox and the cluster out of the way.

[68gmsee]

Easiest method as LockDoc mentioned. I have also used a flexible wire extension and/or a 1/4" u-joint swivel adapter. In some cases the end nuts are buggered up and won't come off. That's when it's cussing time. Last one I removed I actually had to pry the pad off and cut the small bolts off. It was a non salvegable pad anyway but still a pain.

Just read Lattimer's post... Zactly right!

[Mister-B]

Oh joy. Really makes me want to replace mine now. Damn
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[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Oh joy. Really makes me want to replace mine now. Damn
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Its not the worst job I have done, but its on the list of things I don't like doing. I'm a big guy and contorting myself into position to reach up under the dash is miserable.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Its not the worst job I have done, but its on the list of things I don't like doing. I'm a big guy and contorting myself into position to reach up under the dash is miserable.

I'm not exactly petite either, so I'm sure this'll be lots of fun
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[PAWS 72]

Take out instrument panel and glove box. no other way. sounds like alot of work but not as time consuming as not doing it.

[jocko]

always a good idea to figure out all the stuff you need/want to do while you have to take out these major access points anyway. Considering a factory tach addition, adding a vac gauge, a new gb liner, putting in that cherished am/fm picked from the parts board, etc etc? Now would be the time to knock it all out together. It is simple, but I agree, a paint in the butt if it's all you're doing.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by jocko

always a good idea to figure out all the stuff you need/want to do while you have to take out these major access points anyway. Considering a factory tach addition, adding a vac gauge, a new gb liner, putting in that cherished am/fm picked from the parts board, etc etc? Now would be the time to knock it all out together. It is simple, but I agree, a paint in the butt if it's all you're doing.

Also a good time to paint the dash if it needs it. Mine really needed it.

[71K20chevy]

The one above the radio is a real bear, unless of course you take the radio out. I didn't though, still got it done with glove box and cluster out.

[Bow tie fan]

flexible wire extension sounds like it will help some. Have been on head under dash many time trying work this out. Looks like no easy way to do this. thanks for help.

[stsalvage]

the joys of working on these trucks.But look on the Bight side your not dealing with plastic 1990 chevy trucks the light switch with them 4 small screws the go into the plastic you brake them your in trouble light switch will not work with out them 4 little screws.Remember you will only be putting in 1 dash pad in the life of the truck unless you have smokers in your truck that like to Put there Cigs out on your dash pad or some one that like playing with there knife and likes to stab things.Plus you learn how to remove you cluster and your glove box.

Plus if gives you time to check all your bulbs in your cluster to make sure therte nice and bright and working

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

the joys of working on these trucks.But look on the Bight side your not dealing with plastic 1990 chevy trucks the light switch with them 4 small screws the go into the plastic you brake them your in trouble light switch will not work with out them 4 little screws.Remember you will only be putting in 1 dash pad in the life of the truck unless you have smokers in your truck that like to Put there Cigs out on your dash pad or some one that like playing with there knife and likes to stab things.Plus you learn how to remove you cluster and your glove box.

Plus if gives you time to check all your bulbs in your cluster to make sure therte nice and bright and working

Good points
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[stsalvage]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Its not the worst job I have done, but its on the list of things I don't like doing. I'm a big guy and contorting myself into position to reach up under the dash is miserable.

you say your a big guy witch way are you saying big tall wise or Big in the belly I'm 6'4 270 pounds and its not nice for me to work on anything in tight places LOL

[BrutonLS1]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Oh joy. Really makes me want to replace mine now. Damn
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X2
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['68OrangeSunshine]

One time, after I got the old, flaky, sunburnt dashpad off and put the shiny new blue one in -- I tried for days to get one nut started on the first one on the Left [Drvr Sd]. I pulled it back out and found it had been threaded wrong or had some slag on the end of the threading from the buried bolt. I was pi$$ed. I sent it back to the vendor and got a new one with good threads embedded in the foam. But how was I to know I should have tried matching the nuts on all the new screws before I got on my head?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

you say your a big guy witch way are you saying big tall wise or Big in the belly I'm 6'4 270 pounds and its not nice for me to work on anything in tight places LOL

Both....unfortunately. 6'3", 390. I'm a former powerlifter and now I armwrestle competitively.

Lattimer 905 bench press - YouTube

This was my best bench back in the day.

[68gmsee]

Lattimer: Both....unfortunately. 6'3", 390. I'm a former powerlifter and now I armwrestle competitively.

Dang dude!! With your size it looks like it would be a tight squeeze getting in the door. And I though my football player son-in-law was big at 6'5" and 250.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Lattimer: Both....unfortunately. 6'3", 390. I'm a former powerlifter and now I armwrestle competitively.

Dang dude!! With your size it looks like it would be a tight squeeze getting in the door. And I though my football player son-in-law was big at 6'5" and 250.

I actually surprise myself with some of the places I manage to fit. Those tiny bolts in hard to reach spots really give me fits.

[leddzepp]

When you install your new pad make sure you do not over tighten the retaining nuts, otherwise you will end up with a dashpad that is warped and wavy across the top.

[ChrisWhewell]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Both....unfortunately. 6'3", 390. I'm a former powerlifter and now I armwrestle competitively.

Lattimer 905 bench press - YouTube
This was my best bench back in the day.

You don't bother carrying a jack in your truck, do you ?

That 905 is phenomenal.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Both....unfortunately. 6'3", 390. I'm a former powerlifter and now I armwrestle competitively.

Lattimer 905 bench press - YouTube
This was my best bench back in the day.

Impressive bench, man! I don't think I could even squat that much
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[stsalvage]

the hole reason why we own these trucks is cus there so easy to work on.Its so dam basic and plus they take us back in time and lets us relax.So be glad your not working on the 1989-2013 trucks them trucks you really stress out on.Just think almost every truck out there today they build the truck around the heater Core my 1996 ranger takes 5-6 hours to remove the dash to get to the heater core.l Now that is fun work for us big tall guys

[PanelDeland]

My big guy tip works well.Do seats at the same time.Take yours out to recover or clean.Do the dash pad then put the seats back in.Get a foam kneeling pad or pillow to help support your back while youu're twisting around under there.6' 280.

BTW if it's a bench seat 4 bolts ain't a bad deal for the room.Pull the cluster and such before the seats though.