Bezel Removal

[bbohannon1]

I can't get the instrument bezel off my 85 C20. When I try to pull it out I can't clear the deep, upper right AC vent past the dash pad. Also, how do you drop the radio out? Mine has an AC vent or something plastic underneath the radio.

[zieg85]

There is a philips screw, mine is chrome toward the bottom of the removable dash filler right under the steering column.  Once that is out you have to push to the left side and pull down to clear the ductwork under the dash.

[bbohannon1]

Thanks. Anyone have any ideas on the instrument bezel? It's close, but I'm almost breaking it.

[zieg85]

It is a tight fit to the steering column,  15mm socket you can loosen the column some to drop it down, or remove the four 7mm screws at the bottom of the dash pad and you can push up slightly.  There is a phillips screw on the side when you open the passenger door but it is easier to drop the column down some...

[bbohannon1]

Thanks so much Zieg85! Dropping the column just a little did the trick. Found my first mammalian critter nest (dealt with lots of wasp and dirt dauber nests) in the process. Gives new meaning to "it's a rat's nest behind my dash", LOL!!!

[zieg85]

If it were me I would pull the dash pad and get the shop vac going.  Look for chewed wires while you are at it. 

[bbohannon1]

My pad is pretty cracked. Will it stay together if I pull it or just crumble?

[zieg85]

It will be fine, just be careful to remove the vent hose on the passenger side.  Remove it before you pull the pad or you will break it off.  The plastic studs are brittle in a 26+ year old truck.

[IdahoMan]

Have removed the Bezel.

I am attempting to remove the dashpad now (Ref: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RF01XR0h6E). It's working as planned, but something seems to be catching under the dashpad preventing me from lifting it up on the right side.. feels like it is between the defrost vent and right speaker grating. And  yes, I have reached under and disconnected the vent hose.

Any ideas? I don't want to apply to much force and break something.

[rdallasc]

on my 84 chvey, there was a screw on the rite side"passenger" side of the dash, could be hidden by the weatherstriping, and there should be 4 tabs built in to underneath side of dash cover along the direction of vents and speakers, i pulled out hard and broke loose

[Irish_Alley]

watch about 2:40 of the vid you posted you will see the clips rdallasc is talking about. they are a pain

[IdahoMan]

I don't know how much force I should be applying. I feel if I pull up anymore the pad is going to break.

Something already broke somewhere and fell onto the floor. It looks like a almost 2" plastic lego stick threaded on each end, with aluminum screws on each end.

Edit: It isn't budging.

[Captkaos]

Don't pull up on the pad, pull forward.  There are 4 screw across the front bottom on an one on the right end holding the dash in (once you have the bezel off).

[IdahoMan]

Ok.

I have the bezel off, the four front nut screws off. There is no right screw on my truck.

The dashpad is off on the left side where the bezel is removed. I can see the "clips" (bent metal things with a hole) attached to the bottom of the pad. Now on the right side I am holding onto the pad's defrost vent hole edge with my left hand and lifting very slightly with my right under the Silverado logo and pulling forward with all the might I can.

It isn't budging, creaking or giving in any way. I can jostle it forward and back about 1/4in, and you can hear metal bumping metal.

It's as if it is stuck between the defrost-vent and the right-speaker-grate, and maybe on the right side of the speaker grate too. I am guessing those are the other two spots where there are theses "clips".

[Captkaos]

Does it have a dash overlay on it.  If so the screw will be under that.  remove the glove box and look up behind it.