Dash fitment issue

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east302

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According to the parts diagram, the screw size is M4.2-1.41 x 25mm long. You may be able to find those in a parts store.


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ShaneM

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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

Quick clarification - since I'm really just loosening the bolts and retightening them, there is no need to disconnect any wiring, steering column, brake cable, etc. right? Just the L/R hinge pillar trim, bolts there, 4 screws for knee bolster (remove), glove box, 2 nuts there, and 2 at the bracket near the steering column.
 

ShaneM

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According to the parts diagram, the screw size is M4.2-1.41 x 25mm long. You may be able to find those in a parts store.
Well, I started taking things off to have a look around and I think I'm dealing with a slightly different issue here, although I'm not quite sure. The hinge post seems to have been replaced with a bolt on both sides, and the bolt above the hinge post is not installed on both sides. On the passenger side the dash seems to have cracked and displaced by about 1/4" although I'm not sure that affects the gap because the gap is about the same on both sides. See pictures here:
https://imgur.com/a/ZZ5fUr3

Otherwise things look ok, the airbag bolts look fine as do near the steering column. The thing that's holding me up is that it seems like everything is seated properly - i.e., it doesn't appear that tightening up any bolts is going to bring me in the 1/4" that I need...

edit: OK, maybe I'm onto something here. Behind and to the right of the steering column 10mm bolts is a single "hidden" 7mm bolt which apparently was just ripped out:
https://imgur.com/a/6OfeJra - the old bolt is sheared off, and there is a sizable gap to close. I may be able to drill it out.
 
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east302

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Quick clarification - since I'm really just loosening the bolts and retightening them, there is no need to disconnect any wiring, steering column, brake cable, etc. right? Just the L/R hinge pillar trim, bolts there, 4 screws for knee bolster (remove), glove box, 2 nuts there, and 2 at the bracket near the steering column.

Correct, sort of. No need to disconnect wiring or brake cable. You’re loosening the hinge pivot nuts (which have been changed somehow), the two nuts above the steering column (that go through the thin metal bracket) and the two nuts under the passenger airbag. Plus the three at the top of the dash - those pin the dash and air duct to the framework in the body to hold the top of the dash up.

So with all those loosened, the whole dash should try to rotate down a little. You’ll just push it forward closer to the windshield and then retighten everything.


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east302

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Well, I started taking things off to have a look around and I think I'm dealing with a slightly different issue here, although I'm not quite sure. The hinge post seems to have been replaced with a bolt on both sides, and the bolt above the hinge post is not installed on both sides. On the passenger side the dash seems to have cracked and displaced by about 1/4" although I'm not sure that affects the gap because the gap is about the same on both sides. See pictures here:
https://imgur.com/a/ZZ5fUr3

Otherwise things look ok, the airbag bolts look fine as do near the steering column. The thing that's holding me up is that it seems like everything is seated properly - i.e., it doesn't appear that tightening up any bolts is going to bring me in the 1/4" that I need...

edit: OK, maybe I'm onto something here. Behind and to the right of the steering column 10mm bolts is a single "hidden" 7mm bolt which apparently was just ripped out:
https://imgur.com/a/6OfeJra - the old bolt is sheared off, and there is a sizable gap to close. I may be able to drill it out.

Ok, someone broke all the dash shell rivets to remove the dash before. I’ve heard of people doing it that way, but never saw the need to take that route.

I’d still try doing it the way I mentioned earlier. Trouble is, the dash shell (to me) isn’t really attached to the supporting bars that those nuts hold onto. When you’re pushing to swing it closer to the windshield, you’re pushing on the plastic which is connected to the metal support structure to rotate the entire thing as one unit. Doing it now may yield limited results. Worth a shot, though. Sorry.

In your last photo set, you can tell that the metal tab is bent to hell, they probably didn’t see the screw there and it finally broke when they pulled the dash apart.
 
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jaywestfall

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According to the parts diagram, the screw size is M4.2-1.41 x 25mm long. You may be able to find those in a parts store.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You must be registered for see images attach

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According to the parts diagram, the screw size is M4.2-1.41 x 25mm long. You may be able to find those in a parts store.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

THANKS!
 

ShaneM

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Ok, someone broke all the dash shell rivets to remove the dash before. I’ve heard of people doing it that way, but never saw the need to take that route.

I’d still try doing it the way I mentioned earlier. Trouble is, the dash shell (to me) isn’t really attached to the supporting bars that those nuts hold onto. When you’re pushing to swing it closer to the windshield, you’re pushing on the plastic which is connected to the metal support structure to rotate the entire thing as one unit. Doing it now may yield limited results. Worth a shot, though. Sorry.

In your last photo set, you can tell that the metal tab is bent to hell, they probably didn’t see the screw there and it finally broke when they pulled the dash apart.
So I found a guy nearby selling a dash in great condition with no cracks. However it’s an older year without the air bag. First , is that an issue? Second, how much work is it to swap a dash? It seems like so much work with the wiring... it seems intimidating.
 

east302

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I’ve done it four times, it’s easier each time. Maybe figure a full day the first time? There’s really not much to it, take a look at that link that I posted. It also shows how to swap the wiring harness over.

You’ll only need two people when pulling it from the truck and getting the new one onto the pivot pins.

The ductwork piece is different for 95/96 and 97-99, so make sure that the donor dash includes it. To swap the wiring harness to the donor, just take the duct off and the harness clips right in. The dash wiring harness has a nice habit of just kind of falling into the right place.

Of course your airbag light will be on, and there’s possibly some insurance liability concern over the airbag delete.


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ShaneM

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I’ve done it four times, it’s easier each time. Maybe figure a full day the first time? There’s really not much to it, take a look at that link that I posted. It also shows how to swap the wiring harness over.

You’ll only need two people when pulling it from the truck and getting the new one onto the pivot pins.

The ductwork piece is different for 95/96 and 97-99, so make sure that the donor dash includes it. To swap the wiring harness to the donor, just take the duct off and the harness clips right in. The dash wiring harness has a nice habit of just kind of falling into the right place.

Of course your airbag light will be on, and there’s possibly some insurance liability concern over the airbag delete.


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Had not considered the airbag light. That would be annoying. Thanks
 

AK49BWL

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Just disconnect the module under the driver seat if the light becomes an issue. Or pull the Bulb from the cluster. Yeah that latter idea would be easier lol
 
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