That's a new one: reattaching mounting plate below the steering column

[Rich69shortfleet]

I recently needed to pull the gauge cluster out of my 69. To make this easier I took out the mounting plate below the steering column and the mounting bracket that hold the steering column to the dash. Much easier to get the cluster out with the steering column lowered.

Everything went well and I was putting things back together. Cluster went in fine. Steering column bracket went in fine. When I went to reattach the mounting plate below the column, I found that the front bolt holes that attach the plate, the large brace that holds the brake pedal assembly and the lower dash panel didn't line up. The plate and bracket lined up, but the dash panel where the welded in nuts reside was completely off center and I couldn't even see the holes in the nuts through the holes in the plate. In the end I had to put a come-along on the lower dash and pull it forward to get the holes to line up and I had to crank on it pretty hard to do so. I've never had this experience before.

Now, I've had the dash apart many times and have had this plate off many times and never had trouble lining up these holes to get the bolts in. Not sure what went on this time. I got the bolts in and tightened down, but what a monumental hassle!

[truckster]

Did your steering column shift?

[BRL]

OMG I know exactly what you're talking about!

Took mine off for some stupid reason and the holes weren't even close to lining back up.
Commented about it on some post and somebody had the same problem so you're not alone.
Think I used a Phillips screwdriver shank as a makeshift pry bar alignment tool and a pointed body replacement bolt and I'm never taking that sucker off again!

[Rich69shortfleet]

Originally Posted by truckster

Did your steering column shift?

No. And even it if had moved, that wouldn't shift the position of the dash panel or the brace that runs between the firewall and the dash panel.

Originally Posted by BRL

OMG I know exactly what you're talking about!

Took mine off for some stupid reason and the holes weren't even close to lining back up.
Commented about it on some post and somebody had the same problem so you're not alone.
Think I used a Phillips screwdriver shank as a makeshift pry bar alignment tool and a pointed body replacement bolt and I'm never taking that sucker off again!

Then I'm not going crazy. I tried to use alignment tools (drift pins, screwdrivers, etc.) and couldn't get the holes to line up enough to get the bolts in. As I said, I had to use a come along to pull the dash panel corners toward the rear of the truck.

The really weird thing is I've had this thing apart a million times and this never happened before.

[dmjlambert]

I've had that exact same thing happen to me. It was a struggle for no apparent reason.

[kwmech]

Same here and I did the phillips screw driver trick also