dash

[el dub]

Getting ready to install dash and have a question. Do you have to put the gauge cluster in the dash before installing or can you put it in after the dash is installed? Thanks.  lw

[Ghoste]

If you have everything ready to go then its easier to install the dash as an assembly but if you still have items to install such as a dash pad or something then its easier to leave the cluster out for now.

[el dub]

Thanks Ghost. I was just wondering about the electrical hook up. Like is it easier to hook up the elect. with the gauge cluster out and pull the wires up to it or to mount the cluster then crawl under the dash to hook it up?

[Ghoste]

If you have everything, I would sub-assemble everything to the dash on a bench.  Put on anything that goes on the dash including the wiring and then put the unit into the car as a whole.  Then its just a matter of plugging the harness into the firewall and hooking up a couple of other things such as heater controls and vent tubes.

[Dino]

If you have everything, I would sub-assemble everything to the dash on a bench.  Put on anything that goes on the dash including the wiring and then put the unit into the car as a whole.  Then its just a matter of plugging the harness into the firewall and hooking up a couple of other things such as heater controls and vent tubes.

Absolutely the easiest way to do it.   

Still doable installing the cluster last, but you may invent a few new swear words.

I forget, do you have a 68 or 69?  If 69, when installing the cluster after the dash is in, you need to drop the steering column.  If it's a 68, disregard that comment.

[el dub]

My wiring is existing, I didn't pull it out of the car. Its a 68 and I already dropped the steering wheel for more room. 

[Ghoste]

So you need to plug everything back into the cluster as you.  A little more work that way but can be done.
The factory put it in as an assembled unit because it was comparatively quick and simple.

[el dub]

Thanks Ghost.

[Ghoste]

If the seats are in you are pretty much obligated to some contortionism no matter what but best of luck.

[el dub]

Seats are out, steering wheel lowered, dash in. Thanks everyone. Now to hook it up.

[Ghoste]

   Keep us updated.

[el dub]

OK so I'm picking up the tools and notice a little piece of white plastic on the floor of car. I thought I broke one of those spacers under the steering column. Nope, was off the end of the speedo cable, had a little hook on the end. Now I've got to figure out how to fix that. 

[Ghoste]

Ouch, I don't have any advice for that, hopefully someone else does or you may have to buy a replacement.

[Hard Charger]

little white plastic thingy with a hook is the end of the speedo cable that broke off as you were removing it from the cluster.

it is brittle and very commonly broken when you don't know about it.