Dash board removal 72

[Doright]

Is it possible to remove the whole dash as an assembly leaving the wiring and instruments all installed in dash and just unplug from fire wall rather than trying to disassemble in the car?

[Ghoste]

I was going to say no but as I started typing this, I began to wonder.  I'm leaning towards if it can be done, it's probably a lot harder.  The dash assembly is going to be a LOT heavier and you will have to use your best contortionist skills to get at everything.

[Charger1973]

Definately possible and much easier.  I swiped these pics from Twilt a while back.   

[Ghoste]

That's amazing. How the hell were you able to get everything undone up in the back without taking all that crap out of your way? 

[Charger1973]

Theres really not all that much to it...  I havent done it for a long time which was why I saved these pics for reference but I remember doing it this way with my first Charger years ago and it wasnt bad at all.  Twilt would have to give you the details though, this was his handywork. 

[nh_mopar_fan]

I bet the windshield had to come out though because I can;t imagine trying to get at those screws from underneath with all the stuff still in the dash.

[Charger1973]

I bet the windshield had to come out though because I can;t imagine trying to get at those screws from underneath with all the stuff still in the dash.

Which screws?  The ones on the top of the dash are a little tricky but with the right screwdriver you can get them out, and then theres some small bolts which are even trickier but still doable... Cant think of anything under the dash you would need the windshield out for?   

[Doright]

I knew it could be done!!!!! and I am sure the windshield doesn't need to come out, like you said with the right screw driver.

It will be a lot easier to restore the dash with it on the bench than trying to do it in the car.
Thats the way the factory Installed them all one piece!

Thanks for the pix. makes things easier

[Nacho-RT74]

in fact that's the right and comfortably way. I have done it two times. Is the best way to re attachd the wiring in to the right brackets... all you need is:

-Unplug any wire linked to another body harness... from left to right:

On kick panel area: dome light, rear harness, remove screws from dimmer floor switch, any accesories wires to rear like rear deffog and speaker. Door jam switch wires

Vacuum lines on main plug and from manifold hose with valve. Heater regulation valve wire from Control.

Around pedals area: Unplug engine bay harness and Remove bulkhead from firewall, speedo wire, brake plugs, hazzard plug. If hideaways are on car, unplug all wires related FROM engine bay and grommet attached to firewall. Same to 74s, is easier remove A/C wires with grommet from firewall, on earliers, A/C wires use empty cavities of bulkhead. Antenna wire from Radio. Lights on warning buzzer plug if equipped, Steering column harnesses ( ignition and turning switch ) and key in courtesy light plug if equipped

On passenger side: door jam switch wire and center console wire extension ( if equipped ). A/C or heater resistor plugs on box


After unplugg any wire linking to body, remove front speaker grill ( 3 phillips screws and 4 1/4" hex screws at side of windshield vents ). Then will be visible 4 3/8" hex bolts more. Remove completely.

When you remove kick panels you will see 2 7/16" bolts. DON'T REMOVE THEM... JUST GET IT LOOSEN them.

After that, you will be able to lift up a little the dash frame to unhook from windshield area and pivot toward to you to remove all the assembly.

You don't need to remove windshield. The best way to remove the windshield area screws/bolts is with an extension and a cross, no problem on that. piece of cake

[nh_mopar_fan]

You're right, I was thinking of the removal from an early A-body.

[Doright]

Thanks its going to be easyer to restore the dash once its out compleetly and on the bench than to have to take it apart in the car.

How about the AC and heat control cable assembly?? take em off at the contrl head or fish it it all out?

I wanna rebuild the A/C box while the dash is out going to do a compleet conversion to 134 while every thing is being painted and restoring gages and getting a recoverd dash pad from Just dashes. 

[CHARGERMAN2007_69]

Its very easy Ive done it to over 10 cars

[Charger1973]

I would unhook the heater and AC controls at the dash unit.  Just label them so theres no confusion putting them back together, although, if worse comes to worse you can do what I had to do in my 79 Blazer and just run the car and operate the cables by hand.  Its pretty easy to tell which is which that way too... 

[twilt]

Hey, theres my dash in the back of my truck!    Its much easier to pull it all as a complete assembly. I pulled that one out in about an hour without any assistance.  Be careful when pulling it out as to not to break the lower part of your instrument cluster bezel on the steering column.

I only briefly looked over Nachos instructions. If it wasn`t mentioned, also drop the steering column down. 

[Doright]

I was going to pull my colum compleetly out first, It needs a complet rebuild as well its kinda slopy.

Man I have a lot of work to do too this car    

[Doright]

Well I looked at my car several times while working on the %$#@#@#$$$$!!!  Ferrari ! (I just love that car ) Well thats as far is it got too I got too Finnish my paint booth before I really start tearing into the charger.

Good news is I think, I hope, and I pray, I have figured out that $$$#@#!!! Ferrari I cant get that thing done and sold soon enough.

[twilt]

Good luck! I have to do it again tomorrow as I bought another POS parts car.

[Doright]

Thanks for the luck but it didnt work, That Ferrari is being more stuborn than ever! I really hate that car when its broke! 

[Brock Samson]

please post a pic or at least a discription of the ferrari,..
incl the trouble too...
thanks..

[Doright]

Troubles have been way too many for any car, I got it running just a couple hours ago finally!!!!!! Something way too stupid was causing all my troubles.
Now just a few tiny little things and some paint and off too the sale she goes finally!!!!! I have been waiting way too long for parts on that one and even harder too trouble shoot, I will never buy one again.

AHH the paint issue now I'm going too have to start on the paint booth, The project I want too finish as soon as possible get these cars cleaned up and sold. Way too many projects way too little time when I get caught up I am never going too berry my self again! Ever! one at a time period.   

[twilt]

Something way too stupid was causing all my troubles.
   

Hhhmmmm......was it out of gas?  I had that "stump" me on one of my cars a few months ago.

[Doright]

No it wasn't out of gas, It has a K-Jettronics constant flow fuel inj. system and a Dual electronic ignition, dual distributors and computers and while both systems are simple in design they are a S.O.B. too trouble shoot as a whole!  There are way to many little things that can take it out of running condition.
And I was playing with a completely dead car too start with makes it even harder.

The Good news is now I only have two cars that don't run my Two Mopar's and all I really need is two good running 440's
I have one good short block which would be good as a beater engine If I had a decent set of heads to put on it, It would work for a good long time.
All my other blocks need rebuild. At least thats what I am telling my wife