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Trying to remove Dash

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  • 60 T-Bird
    Experienced
    • Jun 2 2010
    • 347

    Trying to remove Dash

    Under the Technical area on the site. I am trying to follow the instructions for the dash removal. I wish we had a step by step pictures of the fasteners to remove. I thought I had them all but the **** thing moves a little but won't budge. Do they get stuck in there? I'm not the kind of person to force things unless I know they need a little force. I have taken the suggestions, I think from Dave and that is when frustrated, walk away. Well I work on it a few hours an evening after work and I am into my 3rd day of walking away. The 430 engine was easier to get out.
    Hopefully it will fall out soon. I'm picking up the new dash this weekend fro Tbird hdqtrs. Anyone else have this experience?
    "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
  • jopizz
    Super-Experienced


    • Nov 23 2009
    • 8308

    #2
    What part of the dash can't you get out. If it's the frame I can only say that I've done three '60 dash pads in my time and I've never taken the frame out. I've always fitted the dash pad over the frame while it's been in the car. Are you doing a late 59-'60 or an early '59 which is different.
    John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

    Thunderbird Registry #36223
    jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

    https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

    Comment

    • Dakota Boy
      Super-Experienced
      • Jun 30 2009
      • 1561

      #3
      you have removed all the little screws located just under the inside of the windshield?
      http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=33517

      Comment

      • 60 T-Bird
        Experienced
        • Jun 2 2010
        • 347

        #4
        Originally posted by jopizz
        What part of the dash can't you get out. If it's the frame I can only say that I've done three '60 dash pads in my time and I've never taken the frame out. I've always fitted the dash pad over the frame while it's been in the car. Are you doing a late 59-'60 or an early '59 which is different.
        It's a 60. I've never heard of leaving the metal on. I thought the pad was attached with fasteners from the inside?
        "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"

        Comment

        • 60 T-Bird
          Experienced
          • Jun 2 2010
          • 347

          #5
          Originally posted by Dakota Boy
          you have removed all the little screws located just under the inside of the windshield?
          Yup...I think there were 7 of them
          "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"

          Comment

          • jopizz
            Super-Experienced


            • Nov 23 2009
            • 8308

            #6
            The pad is just form fit over the metal. The original was glued in place. The new pad doesn't need to be glued. It's held in place by the instrument panel, glove box trim, radio trim and moldings.
            John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

            Thunderbird Registry #36223
            jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

            https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

            Comment

            • 60 T-Bird
              Experienced
              • Jun 2 2010
              • 347

              #7
              Originally posted by jopizz
              The pad is just form fit over the metal. The original was glued in place. The new pad doesn't need to be glued. It's held in place by the instrument panel, glove box trim, radio trim and moldings.
              Well...that would certainly be easier. I pick the pad up tomorrow and will definately check it out. I'm wondering why we have the procedure in our technical area if the sheet metal does not need to be removed. It should be mentioned at the beginning of that restoration section. Maybe Yellow Rose or one of the other administrators can chime in here...Martin
              "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"

              Comment

              • jopizz
                Super-Experienced


                • Nov 23 2009
                • 8308

                #8
                The only reason that I can see to remove the metal on a '60 is to clean it outside the car to eliminate the mess it makes. Plus trimming the dash inside the car gives you a better idea how close you are to the windshield so the moldings will fit right. Jim Dottling posted the first instructions for replacing a dash about 35 years ago in one of the VTCI scoops and that's what I've been going by all these years. He never made any mention of taking the metal frame out and Jim could probably do it blindfolded in an hour. The early '59's are different. They probably should be taken out to do it right. I have one that needs to be done and I'm not looking forward to it. As for the instructions on the technical site it's not wrong to do it that way if you want. I'm sure that's how the factory originally did it. It just seems like a lot of extra work plus the risk of damage to your interior trying to get it out.
                Last edited by jopizz; June 3, 2011, 09:55 AM.
                John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

                Thunderbird Registry #36223
                jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

                https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

                Comment

                • YellowRose
                  Super-Experienced


                  • Jan 21 2008
                  • 17188

                  #9
                  Trying to remove Dash

                  I cannot tell you why Alexander decided to remove the whole dash component, metal and all. Perhaps it was for the reason that jopizz stated in his post. Perhaps some of the old timers who knew Alexander well and talked with him a lot can tell us why he decided to take out the frame also.

                  Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
                  The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
                  Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411

                  https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
                  Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
                  https://faye.rayclark.info/index.html

                  Comment

                  • 60 T-Bird
                    Experienced
                    • Jun 2 2010
                    • 347

                    #10
                    I have gone through a lot of work to get this far with the dash. I have no problem stopping and trying to put it on as jopizz describes. Perhaps we can add that to Alexanders method at the top of the page.
                    Hopefully some other members in here can chime in if they have changed their dash pads...Martin
                    "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"

                    Comment

                    • jopizz
                      Super-Experienced


                      • Nov 23 2009
                      • 8308

                      #11
                      Regardless of which way you do it the new pad is going to require quite a bit of trimming to get it to fit right. This is where patience is most important. Especially at $400+. Ouch.
                      John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

                      Thunderbird Registry #36223
                      jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

                      https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

                      Comment

                      • kuusamon
                        Experienced
                        • Feb 14 2009
                        • 306

                        #12
                        I will try to remember how I did it,it is not hard but locating all the bolts and screws(really not many though) is a bit of a trick.
                        Start by removing the dashboard trim panels under the dash.
                        remove the kick panels. The instrument panel, remove the bezels from the instruments, then you see about 3 tiny screws holding the main clocks/instruments in place. Through those holes from where the 2 main instruments where you cab locate the screws(lock nuts actually)that hold the instrument panel in place. Loosen the wiring, pull out the instrument lamps with their socket entirely. Disconnect the radio wires. The dashboard trim strip by the windshield. then about 7 or 8 screws by the windshield.
                        driver and passenger side the dash is mounted with 2 bolts on each side to the frame The bolts might be 3/8 or 5/16, don't remember. Then the bracket around the steering column.
                        Then you can lift out carefully the whole dash, wiggle a bit.
                        I think you will not be sorry, because you can clean behind the dash, check for rust and if necessary replace insullation, check the windshield wiper guide wheel and wire. etc.

                        regards,
                        ron
                        sigpicGreets,
                        Ronald
                        Kuusamo
                        http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=1741

                        Comment

                        • c4clewis
                          Experienced
                          • Aug 18 2010
                          • 117

                          #13
                          several fasteners holding the dash on:
                          1 on each side "ear" that screws to the bulge in front of the door
                          7(or so) screws just under the windshield molding
                          2 at the streering column mount

                          It does stick. Don't be afraid to wriggle it around to free it.

                          Comment

                          • Dakota Boy
                            Super-Experienced
                            • Jun 30 2009
                            • 1561

                            #14
                            interesting post.

                            I'm pulling my dash out this next winter.... not to replace the dash pad, but to take care of other various issues.
                            http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=33517

                            Comment

                            • kuusamon
                              Experienced
                              • Feb 14 2009
                              • 306

                              #15
                              It looks complicated but it's not really.
                              I forgott, maybe there is, if I remember correctly, a bracket in the glove compartment. After removing the lid and the glove compartment box there could/should maybe be another thin bracket with 2 screws. It's worth checking. That is absolutely the last, no other connections or brackets.
                              sigpicGreets,
                              Ronald
                              Kuusamo
                              http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=1741

                              Comment

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