Dash Pad Question

I would like to remove the dash pad on my '71 so I can clean everything up and repaint the dash itself. ...or even better, can the entire dash be removed? Can anyone tell me if this is possible? Is it glued on or held with bolts? I can't get far enough under it to really see (plus my bi-focals are on the bottom instead of the top!! Some of you will know what I mean!:D )

Thanks

Dave

You can remove the pad and instrument cluster. The rest is welded in. RM

Yeah, I thought it was probably welded in ... but how does the pad come off?

Dave

if memory serves me correct there are screws in each end, a few clips and several studs with speeds nuts on them that you can only reach from under the dash...its not fun to do and I suspect much harder if the wiring/heater/ductwork/guage pod are in the way..:)

I recently put a new repo pad on my 72 and it is no easy chore. Mine was OK but I had no seats in it, the glovebox door off, instrument cluster out, steering column out and it has no wiring or ductwork in it. Just pack a lunch and have at it. RM

I also have to deal with bifocals. I found these "cheaters" work great for me.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/92032.aspx?feature=Product_5

I have a cheater glass peg board in the shop with all the different strength cheater glasses Walmart sells. That is the truth. I know about cheater glasses and can't see stuff....LOL. I find whatever power I need for a certain distance so I can see, especially when welding. RM

I love getting old...don't you?? Better than the alternative I supose!! LOL

Dave

big job. take everything you can out first as mentioned above. Not fun, but most restoration work isn't really. Makes me wonder why i keep telling myself it is. :rolleyes:

Just flip yer glasses upside down!:rolleyes: :D

LOL!! :D You think I haven't tried that!! My bud ( another geezer) has a set of Double-D's (no! :eek: I mean his glasses!!). I'm going to break down and buy a pair of those...but they ain't cheap!!

Dave

After you take the speed nuts off and screws out, you slide the pad towards the rear of the car about an inch, then lift up. The 2 spring clips are actually part of the dash pad.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/Pauls72/72dashpad.jpg

Wow! that is a great help Paul! Thanks a lot!!

Dave

I installed a new dash pad in my 70 Nova right after I purchased it.
Like yourself I had to quiz the boards here for help.
Just get ready to have your body in positions you never thought of :D
I had to get the 'jaws of life' to extract me when I was done........:eek:

I put in a new pad from OER in my '74 Nova (from Classic Industries) and the clips show through the pad as "lumps".

Tomorrow, I am going to do all the work again and am removing the clips so the end result looks good. The dash will stay down without them in place.

:( Had another owner tell me to put down some duct tape folded to have two sticky sides where the clips "used" to be just in case.

The day after you pull that pad out is when you will feel it. I hurt in places where I forgot I had muscles etc. By the way the screws on the end of the dash pad are accesed from the door jamb.

Finally got around to stripping out the dash. Thanks a million, Paul, for the pic; it really saved me a bunch of crawling around!:D I also sprung for a pair of those double-double bifocals. Thay were expensive even with using an old set of frames (about $350) and it takes quite a bit of getting used to, but they really help.:geek:

For anyone thinking about working under their dash, getting the pad off is a pain but once its done you find the metal frame is very open and easy to work through. I would consider taking it off before trying anything much more than replacing a heater coil.

So now everything is off the unibody except the gas tank and the front and rear windows. The tank comes out later this evening when it cools off a bit and the windshield whenever I can get someone to help (I cracked it when I took off the trim duh. :( ). My friend should be done with the rotisserie in a week or two and then we get serious!!:cool:

Thanks again for the help!

Dave

I put in a new pad from OER in my '74 Nova (from Classic Industries) and the clips show through the pad as "lumps".

Tomorrow, I am going to do all the work again and am removing the clips so the end result looks good. The dash will stay down without them in place.

:( Had another owner tell me to put down some duct tape folded to have two sticky sides where the clips "used" to be just in case.

I just changed my beat up original pad today with an OER in my '74 Nova.

What a pain...:(

The OER pad didn't line up with one of its studs so I had to modify the top of the dash some.

After reading the post above, I didn't install the clips (there are four of them). The windsheild side edge does have an 1/8 - 1/4" raised gap where the clips should go.

I originally sprayed some trim adhesive on that edge before trying to wrestle the new one in but didn't do any good.

I might try to slide some double-stick tape under the edge later to see if it will help.

I did have some problems with the drivers side reinstalling the metal post trim as the OER is real tight on that side.

It took pretty much all day to do it even though it took only about an hour to get the old one out.

I don't know how it will hold up in the Florida sun all day. I had a dash cap and it warped out of shape (it sucked anyway...).

Someday I think I'm going to start making my own parts. :beat:

Know what you mean about making your own parts. Just got a 5-leaf spring set from Classic and it is 2.5 inches longer eye-to-eye than the original. I suppose it will work, but dude!! :confused:

Dave

I also have to deal with bifocals. I found these "cheaters" work great for me.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/92032.aspx?feature=Product_5

these are great, sure beats putting the regular glasses (bi-focals) on upside down. this place is about 15 miles from mad town and it sure has a good name amongst its customers.

Know what you mean about making your own parts. Just got a 5-leaf spring set from Classic and it is 2.5 inches longer eye-to-eye than the original. I suppose it will work, but dude!! :confused:

Dave

Better eat your Wheaties the day your going to install them!!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Mad4Morgans/leafspring.jpg

LOL!!:D Know what you mean! Only yesterday I helped a friend put the cab of his '55 PU on a frame he made and ... yes ... I am feeling it!!:p

They made 'em SOLID back then!:eek:

Dave

I put in a new pad from OER in my '74 Nova (from Classic Industries) and the clips show through the pad as "lumps".

Tomorrow, I am going to do all the work again and am removing the clips so the end result looks good. The dash will stay down without them in place.

:( Had another owner tell me to put down some duct tape folded to have two sticky sides where the clips "used" to be just in case.Had the same problem with our '72. We just left the clips off-------gotta love them repo parts!:rolleyes: