Help! Stuck removing the entire top dash

[wacker]

I have had a 00 - F-550 which is my retired work truck. I am stripping it down to re-doit and run it on Veg oil build a flatbed etc...

Anyway I came across a wrecked 04 f-350 with perfect interior. I have the 550 stripped out to the shell accept for the dash cover. what a pain. I have taken all the componts,radio,trim,glovebox,speedo,cover,ac fan switch etc...completely out. Now I am stumped on getting the dash cover that is behind the windshield with al the vents out. I have taken everything i can see loose. Now the problem is that I cannot get the ductwork free. i have even taken out the heater box in the center? Does the windshield need to come out?

Anyway I am stuck. I know I can destroy it but I need to learn how to get this sacrificial old beat up one out so I can carefully remove the other from the 04 F-350. I would exchange the entire unit however I was told the 7.3 & the 6.o harness's are different as well as guage cluster with the tranny temp. Would be nice if I could swap that as well.

Any help or pics would be appreciated!Thanks in advance

[Laketrotter]

I changed a dash wiring harness on a 2000 F-250 a couple of years ago and if I remember right you have to pull the whole dash to get to everything. I think you remove some moulding or cover strips where the dash meets the windshield and remove a couple of bolts. Then under the dash at both ends you unbolt where it atttaches to the truck cab. You also have to drop the steering Wheel and unhook the main plugs at the fuse box. Then the whole unit comes out in one piece. Then everything you want to swap out is real easy to get too. I hope this helps you out.

[wacker]

I seen that cross bar going to look at it this AM. Hopefully that wil allow the entire piece to come out. What a job its all that air ducting that is makng it a real pain.

[Shawn Stafford]

pull the metat backer out the dash is hooked to the duck defrost vents two screws or bolts

[wacker]

Ill check it out anything is helpful