removing dash board cover

[1971ford]

In my 69 there is a old original dash cover on it that has two big cracks. I want to take it off but how do i do that? are there nuts that have to be accessed from under the dash? i dont mind if i have to brake it to get it off since it has two big cracks.

[truckguy]

There are 13 or 14 3/8 nuts on the back side of it. You have to take out the dash, glove box,the radio, ash tary to get to them all.
Kyle

[1971ford]

cant i just rip the damn thing out!
bummer
ill see if i can get it out tomorrow since i have no school .

[flyboy2610]

cant i just rip the damn thing out!
.

Does your dad know you talk like that?
No, you can't just rip it out. You'll destroy the metal dash if you try that, and then you'll have a lot more work ahead of you.
It's really not that bad to remove, and besides, you want all that other stuff out of the way so you can paint back there anyway.

[ezernut9mm]

i think there's 14. and some of them hold the under dash wiring up with plastic clamps. they will be brittle. don't break any of those. all the nuts are pretty easlily accesable. i think they are 7/16.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/e ... 0_0049.jpg

[fordman]

i think they are 5/16 or 11/32.

[1971ford]

ill try 5/16, 11/32, 7/16 and 3/8. I should be able to get most of them out tomorrow.
thanks for the help guys

"Does your dad know you talk like that?"

[67merc]

The paint is usually pretty nice under there. Once the bolts are off, take your time getting the pad out. I stuffed some rags under the windshield side and got an extra pair of hands to help me pull the pad out all at once. (The holes at the front are slotted.) It's an impressive change and doesn't take much time at all.

Sorry this pic is so huge...

[19674x4]

i ripped mine out. didnt have any problems what so ever. i just had to open the dash to pul out the bolts that fell down

[71 LONG BED]

Don't forget the nuts in the far front corners! The're way up in there.

[1971ford]

i just took it out. thanks guys. got it out without takign out the cluster too. those far left and right corners are pretty hard. i still have to get the far left one out, the bolt is still in, i just ripped the pad off of that one bolt. pictures to come!
i might have the holes for the dash welded and painted. what do you think?

[fordman]

some guys have had that done. im still considering wheather or not i want to do it to mine.

[1971ford]

picture

[fordman]

dont foget to save those little grills you will need them to block those heater hose holes.

[1971ford]

i did. i ripped them out and painted them.