is there a trick to taking out the dash cluster?

[crazychevyc10]

hey guys. I need to take out the dash where all the gauges are. is there a trick to getting it out other than taking out the front screws? I wanted to make sure there was no other hidden screws I didn't see before I try to continue giving force because its pretty stuck on there right now.

Thanks!

[70shortfleet]

Lower the steering column down, unscrew the speedo, take oil line loose if you have a gauge cluster, unplug circuit board. take light switch knob off, wiper knob off and I think it will be ready to come out

[brown7373]

The wiper switch has an allen screw holding it on and the light switch behind the dash has a spring loaded button to be pressed and then the knob and shaft pulls out. It just pushed back and will snap into place.

[Andy4639]

Speedometer cable has to come off the back of gauge, oil line taken loose. Unplug the wiring harness and lower the brake stop pad then take the c-clamp loose then the wiper and light knobs as stated and have the battery disconnected are you will run the battery dead. Then the front screws and it should come out.

[low&slow]

As stated above are most likely the best steps to do so. As for me, I didn't do anything with the steering column nor the brakes, but I did do everything else mentioned.

[ujsf01]

Same with me, Low & Slow....there's enough room to tilt the cluster and get it out without dropping the column.

[WIDESIDE72]

Imo on the teucks i have worked on, you take a risk of damaging the printed circuit on the cluster by scraping it on the metal dash if you dont drop the column

[70shortfleet]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Imo on the teucks i have worked on, you take a risk of damaging the printed circuit on the cluster by scraping it on the metal dash if you dont drop the column

2x

[low&slow]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Imo on the teucks i have worked on, you take a risk of damaging the printed circuit on the cluster by scraping it on the metal dash if you dont drop the column

I understand what you're saying, but the way I wiggled it out and wiggled it back in numerous times, not one scratch was put anywhere on the cluster or the circuit board. But yes there is that risk if not careful

[crazychevyc10]

i must be missing somehting here. the gauage cluster wiggles on the bottle,half but the top still feels like there is some sort of bolt holding it in still. i cant even stick a flat head to try to pry it out. its still on there pretty tight

[crazychevyc10]

so i take that back. now its all making sense. the only thing I am having a problem with now is the light button. I was able to pry the 2 clips on the housing of the light off but can't seem to get it completely off?

[cdowns]

there's a ground wire from the cluster to the firewall that needs to b removed too

[Andy4639]

You have to take the nuts from around the wiper and head light switch loose also up top. The column not being droped is OK for a non gauge cluster but for a full gauge cluster you best drop it. It will scratch the paint up and the cluster if not very very carefull. The brake plate is the flat plate the brake pedal rest on with the rubber bumpers. Yes there is a ground wire also on some models I have seen them with and without it. If it has the factory tach you have that connector also on the back to unplug.

[jjzepplin]

Andy is correct. You have to get a bit creative if you don't have the proper tool to take off the bezel type nuts that hold on the wiper and headlight switch. They are round and chrome and have two slots in them for the tool. I think I used two small screwdrivers and clamped them together with vise grips then used a bigger driver between the two to turn them. they can be on there pretty good sometimes.

[crazychevyc10]

so finally the cluster is free but i have one small,issue...and that the lights and,choke,knob. do i pull the knobs off? i gave it a good amount of force trying to pull off but it doesnt look like it comes out that way.

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by low&slow

I understand what you're saying, but the way I wiggled it out and wiggled it back in numerous times, not one scratch was put anywhere on the cluster or the circuit board. But yes there is that risk if not careful

Why not drop the steering column? It's eight bolts/screws and takes about three minutes.

[Coley]

I've got a set of very detailed pdf instructions that I did up on how to do this and re-install if anyone is interested.
Includes a tool list and 'watch/gotcha' points.
Total time with practice....about 15 minutes...fully removed, no damage.
Installation time...bit longer, particularly if the new unit has a tach on it and YES...you have to drop the column...BUT...you don't have to fully remove the 5/16" bolts holding it.

All Good
Coley

[crazychevyc10]

Originally Posted by kcsa75

Why not drop the steering column? It's eight bolts/screws and takes about three minutes.

everythig is out but i just cant see,to get the knobs off

[kcsa75]

If you have the cluster out, what knobs? Can you post a photo?

[crazychevyc10]

Originally Posted by kcsa75

If you have the cluster out, what knobs? Can you post a photo?

this one..

[Coley]

Originally Posted by crazychevyc10

everythig is out but i just cant see,to get the knobs off

'Everything is out'....do you mean everything to your knowledge is 'undone'? or have you removed the gauge cluster?....or? not clear here.

Therefore:
Headlight Knob: reach up high under the dash with your right hand and located the (inner) headlight switch assembly.
-Use your index finger to find a 'springy' button on the top of the switch assembly (you don't have to see it.... to find this with your finger).
-Depress this button and pull the switch straight out while you are doing so....wiggle a bit if necessary.

Wiper Knob: 'look' around the inner circumference of the black plastic knob to locate a very small set screw.
-Use a small slotted screwdriver to back out this screw and release the knob off the wiper switch/shaft.

That should be it....if there is something else keep us posted
(note: to drop the steering column you need a 1/2" socket with a 3" extension and a driver to nearly fully loosen to bolts that can be see from below when you look up at an angle from the lower seat area.)

Coley

[kcsa75]

What Coley said...
Headlight Knob: reach up high under the dash with your right hand and located the (inner) headlight switch assembly.
-Use your index finger to find a 'springy' button on the top of the switch assembly (you don't have to see it.... to find this with your finger).
-Depress this button and pull the switch straight out while you are doing so....wiggle a bit if necessary. The rod that the knob is attached will come out.

[engineer_gregh]

Yeap, that light switch knob kicks everybody's butt the first time. Disconnect your battery, in order for you to pull the knob and shaft all of the way out, you first have to pull the knob out to where your headlights would be on, and then press the spring loaded button and pull the rest of the way out.

[hdff]

Good info for future use.......

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by crazychevyc10

this one..

You have to reach inside of the dash from the underside and the body of the switch has a spring loaded button you have to push it in while pulling the knob out the whole thing will come out stem and knob. It has to be done together.


Also the best tool I have found for the washer nuts is a set of niddle nose pliers. They work great for this.