Dash fitment issue

[ShaneM]

99 Tahoe.

Inherited this truck which has had a lot of interior work completed to it. As far as I can tell, the dash was at some point removed, painted and then put back on. Double-DIN radio installed, a bunch of LED lights under the dash, etc.

I bought a Z56 cluster in mint condition, as the old cluster has some scuffs and lights stuck on, possibly some bleed through. I know this doesn't require pulling the dash, but while I'm at it, there are some fitment issues I want to address. The dash doesn't seem to be all the way forward, leaving a gap as shown in the photos here: https://imgur.com/a/IcWhHTo.

This results in the door sensing switch from not hitting its target, so the dome over ride has to be on all the time or the lights never turn off. Also, it causes an issue with the trim and it cuts off the top of the heat/AC control module. Not a huge issue, but... I'm considering getting down into why that might be happening which would likely involve going through the process of releasing the dash. Would this be a mistake? I guess my question is, has anyone seen this happen before, and what caused it, and is there any chance that I'm better off leaving it alone, as fiddling with it might make it worse?

 

[AK49BWL]

Are the screws present in the defrost vent, where it's supposed to be held to the firewall? It's possible the person who modified it got something pinched up behind the dash as well. Depends on how brittle your dash is as to whether you'd be better off trying to fix it or not.

 

[ShaneM]

Are the screws present in the defrost vent, where it's supposed to be held to the firewall? It's possible the person who modified it got something pinched up behind the dash as well. Depends on how brittle your dash is as to whether you'd be better off trying to fix it or not.

the 3-4 screws with visible clips? Those are intact, at least most of them. Or are you referring to something else? The dash has several cracks in it. I’m not sure how brittle it is...

 

[AK49BWL]

If it's got cracks, it's brittle lol. And yes those were the ones I was referring to.. Since they're there, chances are something is pinched between the dash and the firewall preventing the set to sit flush like it's supposed to.

 

[ShaneM]

If it's got cracks, it's brittle lol. And yes those were the ones I was referring to.. Since they're there, chances are something is pinched between the dash and the firewall preventing the set to sit flush like it's supposed to.

haha, yea - well, I guess I was saying, it’s brittle but how brittle? Able to survive another removal and install... I don’t know.
I just looked again and there are cracks in the dash at two of the screw locations. I can push the dash in a bit and the screws are loose. I’m not sure I can push it enough for it to make the difference. Is there a way to tighten the dash in without those screws? What typically would get in the way - wiring? A lot was added but as far as I can tell it goes through the firewall under the dash. That said, new stereo, etc so who knows

 

[east302]

It needs to be pushed in more.

There are two bolts pointing up - one above the parking brake and the other on the passenger side that will look identical. Those are the pivot bracket bolts. Remove those.

Then two nuts above the glove box with it removed (pointing up) which are under the passenger airbag. Also two pointing up that are at the steering column and pinch a thin metal bracket looking thing.

Those last four nuts are what really hold it up. Loosen those four and push the dash forward, keep it held while someone tightens it up. The ones on the passenger side do most of the work, the other two catch on the metal bracket and tend to stay in place as the bracket catches on the threads of the captive studs.


Here’s an install thread, maybe that will help as it’s hard to describe. Anyways, it shouldn’t take but ten minutes or so.

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/dash-removal-and-replacement.38536/

edit: in the above link, it’s the screws in steps 19, 22, 25-27

 

[ShaneM]

It needs to be pushed in more.

There are two bolts pointing up - one above the parking brake and the other on the passenger side that will look identical. Those are the pivot bracket bolts. Remove those.

Then two nuts above the glove box with it removed (pointing up) which are under the passenger airbag. Also two pointing up that are at the steering column and pinch a thin metal bracket looking thing.

Those last four nuts are what really hold it up. Loosen those four and push the dash forward, keep it held while someone tightens it up. The ones on the passenger side do most of the work, the other two catch on the metal bracket and tend to stay in place as the bracket catches on the threads of the captive studs.


Here’s an install thread, maybe that will help as it’s hard to describe. Anyways, it shouldn’t take but ten minutes or so.

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/dash-removal-and-replacement.38536/

edit: in the above link, it’s the screws in steps 19, 22, 25-27

Okay thank you! Any place I should be looking for objects that are in the way preventing the dash from moving forward? I am pretty sure when I look in the gap near the top on the passenger side I see a cotton t-shirt stuffed in there, presumably to try to deaden some squeaking...

 

[east302]

Well, the t-shirt shouldn’t be there, but there’s not anything that I can think of that will keep it from pushing forward.

The metal bracket above the steering column fits tight against the studs on the dash and tends to catch on the threads preventing forward movement, so that’s usually where I’ve run into this problem.

This is the bracket on the driver side that catches onto the studs. That usually cinches it up tight on that side, but you’ll shove the passenger side up and tighten those bolts to hold it against the windshield. Then tighten up the pivot bolts.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[ShaneM]

Well, the t-shirt shouldn’t be there, but there’s not anything that I can think of that will keep it from pushing forward.

The metal bracket above the steering column fits tight against the studs on the dash and tends to catch on the threads preventing forward movement, so that’s usually where I’ve run into this problem.

This is the bracket on the driver side that catches onto the studs. That usually cinches it up tight on that side, but you’ll shove the passenger side up and tighten those bolts to hold it against the windshield. Then tighten up the pivot bolts.

You must be registered for see images attach

OK, thank you! I'll try to take a look at it in the next couple days and report back.

 

[jaywestfall]

Are the screws present in the defrost vent, where it's supposed to be held to the firewall? It's possible the person who modified it got something pinched up behind the dash as well. Depends on how brittle your dash is as to whether you'd be better off trying to fix it or not.

Anyone have the part number for those screws or a known alternative? Some of mine are missing.