Lower Dash Pad Help

[Anthony P.]

Stuck in the snow in lovely NJ so I decided to change my lower dash pads and center console on my 69. Everything was going fine until the drivers side!! How the heck do you remove that thing? I can hardly move it to see behind it. Any help appreciated.

[Dick W.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Three screws in the guage cluster, three screws in the pad near the top, and two? in the right door jamb. Should come out when they are removed

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Dick,
I removed all those screws plus the 2 screws that hold up the steering column but when I try to remove it I can't get it out. Are the speedo & tach attached to it? and if so is there enough slack in the wires/cables to let me pull it out?

[Dick W.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Tach and speedo need to be disconnected also. Very little slack in the wiring on that side

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

I was just out in the garage looking behind the pad. I saw 2 screws at the bottom of the guages an 4 on the top. If i remove them the guages should separate from the pad?? If not how do you remove the spedo/tach cables? I saw 2 tabs which i pressed on but I couldn't get them to release.

[Edward J.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Anthony, sometimes the dash pad on the drivers requires lowering the steering column I beleive there is another bolt or two down on the lower part steering column.( this will allow you to just tug down on column alittle to ease removel))if you do not have a air car, it make it a little easier. unhook the tach cable at engine, speedocable at transmisson maybe alittle easier than in the car.the harness is the next trick- headlamp, and bulb removel take a note of the wire colors and locations. the harness does wrap over the the top of speedo and tach.

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Ed,
I have a AC car so there is allot going on under there. I was thinking of trying to take the gauge cluster off the pad by removing the 6 screws from the pad

[Joseph K.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Anthony,

I feel your pain. I have dropped the steering column and was only able to get it down a couple of inches. I did not go any further because of the fragile connections in that area. You will find vacuum hoses to the light switch and also vacuum tubing for the wipers and various other controls. It can be done but you need to tag all of the wires and tubing. Go slow

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Thanks to all I finally got it off!!! WHAT A PAIN!! I just hope I can put it back. Anyone know how to take the light switch off?

[Edward J.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Anthony, just pull switch out to park light position and push the button w/ spring in and slightly push in then pull out, its alittle trickly.

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Thanks I'll try it now

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

It worked.
Thanks again you guys are the best.

Now to spend some money and order all my new dash pads and console.

I usually use Paragon they give you 10% to 15% off if you order $500.00 or more. Dose anyone recommend anyone else?

[Edward J.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Anthony, try wilcox corvette they sell corvette america stuff and they do discount there stuff on e/bay. repro stuff is not exact as factory but pretty close. whats your interior color? you may have to dye the other pieces to match, I think black may be the only color that you maynot have a problem with.

[Anthony P.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

My interior is black. Paragon also sells corvette america, I'll try them.

Thanks

[Anthony S.]

Re: Lower Dash Pad Help

Anthony,

Not to bash C.A., but I ordered 2 lower left dash pads from them and I found that all of speedo / tach mounting tabs were too short and my gauges protruded through the front.

I ended up reskinning the original, which I believe is no longer an option as the skins are no longer sold.

Hopefully they have re-designed these pieces since 2006. If not, be prepared to do some mods to make the gauges fit properly.

Good luck,
Anthony in snowy Morris County