Dashboard remove

[driver]

Hi,
i would like to remove my dashboard (71satellite)...
but i dosn´t found the right way to do it....
in my service manual i found nothing... need help
i want to remove the dashboard complete because the
wires are damaged ..... Thx

[bruce]

You'll need to remove the little panel that covers the radio speaker and the defroster vents. Under that you'll find four bolts that hold the top of the dash in place. Loosen those but leave one in there loose for now to keep the dash from falling into your lap. Remove the steering column and pull it out... Then you can loosen (loosen not remove!) the two bolts on either end of the dash (behind the kick panels, you removed those, right? ) and essentially just swing the whole thing out as a unit pivoting on those two bolts. Pivot it down into your lap so you can unhook the wiring and assorted connectors/connections you'll find... There will be at least one connecting wire you miss and it will hang the whole dash up when you're trying to pull it out. Don't ask me how I know.

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Adding to that, as it was assembled at the factory, I have found it easier to disconnect the dash harness from the rest of the vehicle allowing it come out with the dash as a whole. Starting at the bulkhead connector, unplug engine compartment connections; remove the two nuts securing the bulkhead connector to the firewall, push into car. Disconnect, the brake switch, speedo cable, the rear body harness at the left kick panel; remove the door jamb switches, both sides, to disconnect. Disconnect the heater control cables/vacuum hoses at the control and the connection at the heater box resistor pack.

[bruce]

Yeah, what he said--much more thoroughly than I.

[driver]

thanks...
it is a little more complicated because all cabele´s are not original....
the radio is not in the small panel ... changed .. in the central console etc.
very crazy wire moved
best way for me is to get the small (wood) dashboard out.....
Question : how i remove the steering column ? hope it is original
Thanks for help !!

[bruce]

Steering column is bolted to the firewall--remove those bolts. It's also bolted to the dash--loosen those bolts but don't remove them as yet. Unhook the column wiring at the connector. Underhood, pry the cap around the column free from the adapter on the steering box. Then once you remove the bolts holding the column to the dash it should fall into your lap and you should be able to pull it straight out--through the hole in the firewall.

[driver]

thanks a lot