Anybody ever remove their dash?

[JCampbell]

Not the dash pad, the actual steel dash. Like the "remove the windshield, drill out the spot welds and pull the whole thing out" kind of remove?

I've got the cab in my garage, stripped down to nothing and I'm getting read to completely rewire the whole thing as well as remove, clean and reinstall all the HVAC components. I feel removing the dash would greatly simplify this endeavor (the windshield is coming out anyway), but I'm leery that the energy expended in doing so would not outweigh the benefits. Also, I'm concerned that I won't be able to get the dash back in "right" after removing it (read: rattles, squeaks, windshield seal leaks, etc.).

I have three questions for those who've done it:

1. Was it worth the hassle?
2. Did it go back in w/o issue?
3. Would you do it again?

[orbot]

ive seen a bolt of two on the sides but got no idea on the front (windshield).. would like to see answers as well.

[TheApocalyptican]

I've seen many here take them out. Don't believe I've ever seen one put back. IMO, I think it would be more work for a little amount of convenience.
As far as getting it back in right....if I were removing it, I'd make very sure that the whole thing comes out very easy and gets stored someplace completely safe. That way, less chance of it getting out of "square".

[motornut]

asuming you have to weld it back in ....wires ,hoses, etc might get damaged
then you would be doing it anyway...


this one was getting scrapped,wasn't goin back in but
had to have the vin still attached tho

[bigblock73]

I wouldn't pull it, from what I have heard it is a PITA. I would work around it to be honest.

[Weasel Diesel]

I did one back in '80.... just go ahead and buy a revolver and shoot yourself...less stress.

[nekkidhillbilly]

theres a newer truck dash swapped in a crew in the builds section

[space wrangler]

just did it last month. ..well, i had it done.

i have an 84 cab ....but wanted to use my 75 cab's dash. ..so i had my local body man swap it. he drilled out the spot welds, swapped in the 75 dash, then re-welded.

[Jonboy]

if you are wanting to do it strictly for access, you could unbolt is from the sides and roll it up without cutting it at the pinchweld. I think cutting it and re-welding it would end up making more work, though (unless you had access to a resistance welder).

[JCampbell]

You might be right, Jon. I didn't think about rolling it up out of the way.

I was looking at it again this morning and started to think it just may be more trouble than it's worth. Especially if just for access...it's not as though it's damaged and needs to be replaced.