Dash Question

[GoatBeard]

I am going to be installing my new dash in a couple of days.  I wanted to ask you guys if there anything that I should have on hand to replace when I take it off?  I'm going to replace all the light bulbs and button up the wiring real nice.  I also have to beat a couple of dirt-dauber nests out (they keep breaking little by little on my new carpet!  ARG!!!).  Any brackets, screws, something that will undoubtedly break when I take it off?

Thanks in advance,

Sam

Speaking of bulbs -- I have a blinker blub that is out.  I heard replacing these is hard, is that true?  If so, is there any trick to it?

[HAULIN IT]

A couple things to make it a little easier...When you are ready to pull the gauge bezel, reach up under the dash & push the button on the headlamp switch with the headlamp switch on (the bezel will go out over it, but it is simpler with the knob out of the way) it just pushes back in when done. Also move the shifter to low during the removal. Be careful with the gauge housing (white piece) quite often they become brittle with age, the speedo cable has a little tab that needs lifted out of the way to remove. Are you referring to a turn signal bulb ("blinker light")? If so, it's no different than any of the others. Have Fun, Lorne

[GoatBeard]

Thanks Lorne,

Yes, I was talking about the blinker bulbs.  One of mine makes the blinking noise and the taillights blink, but the turn indicator light in the bezel doesn't come on.  If I remember right, when a taillight bulb is burnt out the blinker bezel light will come on and stay on -- just never seen one do this (make clicking noise, taillights work, but no bezel turn indicator light) and I've never replaced those particular bulbs.

I guess it might be a good idea while I'm in there to replace all the bulbs I can find behind the bezel and/or dash area.

I removed the instrument bezel not too long ago and I'm sure your instructions would have made it easier, so I'll print them out for this round.  I was talking more about the actual dash itself though -- like what holds the dash in and is there anything special I need to know/do to get it out.

[Captkaos]

If you are pulling it apart, I would go get all new bulbs for the ones that are burnt out.  If the signal in the dash isn't blinking, it means one of your filaments are gone.

[HAULIN IT]

Your blinker problem sounds like just the bulb in the cluster is burned out, as you described... the flasher makes the noise & the outside lights (front & back) blink, so the indicator is likely the problem. Yes, your thinking about it staying on is correct for an outside bulb burned out. Lorne

[1980c10]

Of course it would also be a good time to replace speakers if needed

[Irish_Alley]

i would hope he got it back together by now  lol

[ccz145a]

Personally I don't mind some of the old post being brought back up. Shows some enthusiasm for the deep wealth of info available.

I've just been reading the new posts for so long I've forgoten most of the older topics.

 

[JohnnyMac333]

Mine does the same thing on the right signal indicator. It's just a small bulb that twists in, not a big deal. Just make sure the copper tabs on the bulb are touching the copper parts on the printed circuit. And DEFINATELY watch out for the gear indicator if its a column shifter- there will be a little wire running up into the column that connects to the needle pointing to the gear you're in, and it is very very delicate. I know this because whoever replaced the dash with the WRONG dash (soon to be replaced) in my truck before I bought it did NOT pay attention to it and as a result my truck indicates that is always in Park. It's not a huge deal but if you break it it seems like it's a lot more trouble to fix than its worth. Which is why my truck is always in park hahaha.

Also, it seems like it made it a lot easier to remove the dash by either unscrewing the wiper switch and/or disconnecting the wiper harness connection in the back. I don't remember what I did now- I wasn't removing the dash completely I was trying to figure out why the wipers weren't working, and I ended up taking the whole...well the whole everything apart. I might have had to unhook that just because of the way the harness was taped up. If you remove the headlight knob like HAULIN suggested you might not need to. I wish I had done that rather than sweat and curse over it hahaha.

All and all though nothing about it is very complicated. Just keep all your screws together with the parts they came with and take your time so you dont break anything.