Dashpad removal

[Pistolpete]

can anyone tell me how to get the dashpad of my 69, gettin' her ready for the bodyshop and cant seem to figure it out!!

[694spdRT]

The dash pad has about 6 studs that go straight in through the back and mount to the metal dash frame. You will need a socket and an extension to get up behind the dash and remove the nuts(3/8" I think).  

I have some pics on my home computer that I will post unless someone beats me to it.

[694spdRT]

Here are a few pics of the mounting studs in the back of the dashpad. The original pad is the top one...the lower pad is a piece of junk repo that I did not use.

[lilwendal]

Dont waste your money on the y1 repop dash pads.  What a disapointment that was.  Ended up trolling ebay till i found one in good shape.

[Pistolpete]

thanks for the dash and year one advice, what about legendary or just dashes??

In the meantime I'll keep trolling ebay

thanks

[694spdRT]

The repo dash I bought was from Legendary. They get it from some supplier...I can't recall the name. My advice is to find a nice used pad. I ended up finding a nice used one for the same price as the repo and I can actually use it.

The repo is shorter than the original, wavy, and floppy as a wet noodle because it has no metal structural support in it.

[bull]

The dash pads aren't too bad to remove but I'm betting mine will be a pain to reinstall. They use six speed nuts and they're waaaay up in there. I used a 3/8" drive 6" extension and a deep socket to get to mine on my '68. I think it was a 1/2" socket.

I thought I saw a repro somewhere that was described as having a rigid core. I'll have to dig around for it. Otherwise I'd go with the advice above and stick with an original if you can find one. I just bought a nice OE one for $300. Yea, they're not cheap.

[kab69440]

That job if WAY easier if the whole dash frame is sitting on a workbench.

[694spdRT]

Here is how I installed the speed nuts with the dash in the car. Take a piece of masking tape and wrap it around the circumference of the deep well socket just enough to hold the speed nut on. Then just use a socket extension and "fish" around for the stud without fear of loosing the speed nut behind the dash. Once you find the stud, just tighten the speed nut and the tape will stay on the socket. Worked well for me.

[bull]

Here is how I installed the speed nuts with the dash in the car. Take a piece of masking tape and wrap it around the circumference of the deep well socket just enough to hold the speed nut on. Then just use a socket extension and "fish" around for the stud without fear of loosing the speed nut behind the dash. Once you find the stud, just tighten the speed nut and the tape will stay on the socket. Worked well for me.

You can use a small piece of paper too. Just lay it over the end of the socket and jam the nut down inside.