Replacing cluster regulator with cluster in car?

[XH29N0G]

I see people do this.  I have not located a thread that describes how it is done?   

Is there a thread? 

Is it simply a matter of dropping the steering wheel to make space?  Or is there some other trick to getting access to it.  I see it, but do not see how I will pull it out and then put the replacement in. 

Thanks in advance for any help/guidance.

[terrible one]

When I did it the back of my head was resting on the brake pedal, bottom half on the floor/ drivers seat. It's a tough angle but I pulled my arm past the console and then was able to grab it. I couldn't get a good angle resting on the sill plate/ outside the car also had my headlamp on which helped a lot.

Another option (and likely better if it's not installed) is to go in through the opening for the radio.

[XH29N0G]

Thanks, So no need to drop the steering column.  I'll take another look to see if I can do this.  I have radio delete, so maybe that will work, too. 

[comet_666]

On a 69, the cluster just unscrews from the dash and comes out after you disconnect everything.

[XH29N0G]

My 70 cluster is not all that difficult to pull either.  I just thought I would try to replace the regulator without removing it.  I have not been able to get an angle on the regulator because I have chubby hands and the steering column and part of the metal frame gets in the way.  I will try dropping the steering column to see if that works.  If it does not, I will then pull the cluster and lay it on the column to do the swap.  I'll let you know what works in the end.

[XH29N0G]

I ended up dropping the column and then pulling the cluster out to lay on the column for the replacement.  I think the swap was needed.  My cluster gauges are now reading a little lower - the replacement sending unit switched to 3/4 of a tank when full (the way it used to), the temperature gauge dropped from 220 to about 190 (the way it used to read).   I suspect it was a problem waiting to happen with the 45 y.o. regulator in it.