Dash Removal

[BadAss01F250]

I did a search and found a couple of threads on how to remove the dash. I do NOT have the factory radio anymore so no need to worry about the screws, but it says to just grab and pull evenly....question is: do I start on one of the corners or in the middle? I really don't want to break anything

[workin4my350]

Not sure what your wanting to do, but I had to take out the dash in my 02 last year due to small electrical issue. Taking it out is not a huge deal, just getting to the small electrical items and disconecting the heat controls are a bit of a pain to get to. I had to also drop the steering wheel and seat removal made it all easier to get to. The whole wire harness had to be replaced is why I had to do all that. Had too many tracers to do, and the harness was like 350 with my discount and buddy at the parts counter at dealer.

If yours is the same as mine, you should just have the bolts and issues i mentioned to get there. Dash pullout with wheel (3 hours) new harness replace two hours, and reinstall everything, and not forget anything about 4 hours. ONE LONG DAY, or a short weekend.


Hope this helps.
Bill

[dieseldan2005]

THe dash is held in there by tabs. You need to pry with a bigger flat head screwdriver. I started right under the headlight switch and worked my way over to under the airbag switch. Just pry downward and the tabs should pop out. This is for the main gauge cluster/dash vent panel. I can't quite remember, but i think there are tabs on top too. You'll know once you start getting it loose. Also the radio needed to be taken out for clearance reasons on mine. So even if you have an aftermarket radio, it still might not clear the faceplate. Maybe it will though, i don't know what it looks like.

[BadAss01F250]

well I am going to take the dash out so I can paint part of it. From what i have read, i am just supposed to grab on an pull with a little bit of force???

Thanks for the heads up Bill, I had a feeling the electrical items would be a PITA

[BadAss01F250]

Originally Posted by dieseldan2005

THe dash is held in there by tabs. You need to pry with a bigger flat head screwdriver. I started right under the headlight switch and worked my way over to under the airbag switch. Just pry downward and the tabs should pop out. This is for the main gauge cluster/dash vent panel. I can't quite remember, but i think there are tabs on top too. You'll know once you start getting it loose. Also the radio needed to be taken out for clearance reasons on mine. So even if you have an aftermarket radio, it still might not clear the faceplate. Maybe it will though, i don't know what it looks like.

Thanks for the info, I had a feeling that it was not going to be too difficult, just wanted to make sure before I broke something (knowing my luck I probably still will )

[dieseldan2005]

Originally Posted by workin4my350

Not sure what your wanting to do, but I had to take out the dash in my 02 last year due to small electrical issue. Taking it out is not a huge deal, just getting to the small electrical items and disconecting the heat controls are a bit of a pain to get to. I had to also drop the steering wheel and seat removal made it all easier to get to. The whole wire harness had to be replaced is why I had to do all that. Had too many tracers to do, and the harness was like 350 with my discount and buddy at the parts counter at dealer.

If yours is the same as mine, you should just have the bolts and issues i mentioned to get there. Dash pullout with wheel (3 hours) new harness replace two hours, and reinstall everything, and not forget anything about 4 hours. ONE LONG DAY, or a short weekend.


Hope this helps.
Bill

Yeah, i forgot to mention just tilt the wheel all the way down. It will help with the removal. It didn't take me that long to take off mine, but did you have to take apart your whole dash Bill? I didn't have to unplug my heater controls. Just the lights and airbag switch.

[Dave]

Just tilt the wheel down. Grab from the Top and pull. Easy cheesy

[workin4my350]

Originally Posted by dieseldan2005

Yeah, i forgot to mention just tilt the wheel all the way down. It will help with the removal. It didn't take me that long to take off mine, but did you have to take apart your whole dash Bill? I didn't have to unplug my heater controls. Just the lights and airbag switch.

YEah,

Everything. But I was replacing every piece of wire behind the dash to the firewall. Was not a good time. I hope its just a pull and go for you.

I just did it the best I could with what I know.

Im a metal head, not an auto electrician or wrench, so made the job a bit more frustrating.

Im learning though.

[BadAss01F250]

I also read in another post that it's supposed to come off a little easier if the shifter is put into 1st ....I will give it a shot here hopefully in a couple of days and we'll see how it goes...Just got the wisdom teeth pulled yesterday so I have to recover from that first

[alberta 7.3]

I'd say to pull out your radio, depending on how it's mounted. My DIN adapter snaps to the dash trim, and has the back support. Pulling the deck, but leaving the cage makes life easier, since you don't have to pull everything away from the dash so far to manuver the radio.