Working under the dash

[twosocks90]

The wiring under the dash near the fusebox on my 83 K10 Suburban is a mess and needs to be cleaned up. I also have a smelly mouse nest somewhere in the duct work that needs to come out. Technically I feel comfortable tracing wires and making repairs. My problem is elsewhere.

Many years ago it was nothing to lay on my back for hours under the dash and work on wiring, duct work, whatever. Today, not so much. My body doesn't like the awkward positions and getting in and out of there. My eyes won't focus up close any more.

I know the instrument panel can be removed easily enough. Would it help to take the dash pad off? Anything else I can do to make access to the wiring near the fusebox easy to get to from above? If I could, I'd remove the entire dashboard across the entire truck and rebuild everything in there but I doubt that's really possible, is it?

[old Rusty C10]

if you can why not remove the seat and throw a piece of foam or a couple of pillows down there even a sofa cushion on the now exposed floor... it makes it a lot more comfortable for us close to being over the hill guys also dollar store reading glasses help focus under there I use em

[burb1085]

It makes it a little easier to see through the vent hole into the fuse box area(if you don't have a/c). If you have a/c you will have to take out the duct. The other vent holes on the pass. side don't really give to much viewing access to the wiring. Good luck.

[Axle]

A/C duct issues aside, removing the dashpad also makes it easier to light up the area you are working in (nowhere near as big an issue with LED lighting available now that won't burn you or what you might have it jammed against), and the occasional extra viewing port to see what you are doing while you are letting the blood go back to your feet.

Alex.

[motornut]

I'd say pad out sure opens things up,
I'd don'y have AC but if the the clusters out why not
you can check the pads over the def vents

[84chevyguyid]

If you have to lay on your back or side on the floorboard to work on it, get a piece of plywood or something and put together a platform thats the same height as the floorboard. lay a sleeping bag or something on it for padding so you can lay on it comfortably. Will make the job much easier. Sucks getting older huh? Also a bright white fluorescent light helps see things better, way better than an old incandescent trouble light.

[Unca]

My damn arms are shrinking I swear they aren't long enough anymore to read fine print.../sigh the taking the seat out n laying downa pad works nicely... well worth the effort... drugstore cheater glasses help.. just don't let your buddies see you wearing them... ( kinda like riding a moped.../wink)

[79Betty]

Why not unplug it and just pull the whole wiring? I take out dasp pad, bezel cover n bezel
And drop the column. Unplug all the wiring and walahh! Unbolt it and no uncomfortable positions.

[twosocks90]

Thanks for many good ideas for getting comfortable. Funny story, I talked to my father tonight about glasses (he's a retired machinist) and I complained that I'm having a hard time seeing up close to work on things. He just laughed at me and said what do you expect?

Why not unplug it and just pull the whole wiring?

This is interesting but how is it possible? Are you talking about pulling the fusebox itself or all the wires attached to it? They go EVERYWHERE!