east302
I'm Awesome
I replaced the dash in my 1998 K1500 and thought I'd post a how-to. The steps below are from alldatadiy.com which, I think, mimics the factory service manual. I've added pictures to relevant parts as some of the steps are a little vague.
I'd really recommend getting a box of ziploc bags and putting the screws from each step in them. I labeled disconnected wiring with green masking tape, which makes it easier during re-installation so that you can easily spot any unconnected wiring harnesses.
Before disconnecting the battery, make sure you lower and slide the driver seat all the way down and back. That's the one thing that I really wished that I had done first.
Also, chock your tires as the shift linkage is removed when the steering column is removed.
Here are the alldata directions:
The numbered steps below are from the alldata directions. My comments are in italics.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable(s).
2. Disable the SIR system:
3. Remove the three relay center bolts from the underside of the wheel opening.
The Relay Center is on the driver side fender and held in place by three bolts going through the wheel well. You aren't removing the Relay Center...just unbolting it so that you can move it out of the way. If you can remove it, that might make things a little easier.
4. Remove the bulkhead connector.
The white (top) part stays and is attached under the dash to the Convenience Center. There are two screws on the firewall that need to be removed. I've already removed one screw in the picture below. It's to the upper right of the white harness. The second one is diagonal to it and a little harder to reach. Remove both of those screws to allow the white harness to be pulled into the cab.
The black (lower) harness is attached with a torx bit to the Convenience Center. The red arrow points to where the screw head is. I used a T25 screwdriver, but don't know if a socket bit would have fit or not. Remove the torx screw and pry the black harness off.
5. Remove the following components from the bulkhead connector:
What you're doing here is removing the harnesses that connect the white bulkhead connector to engine compartment components. The airbag and headlamp connectors are on the fender wall and easy to spot. The others are on the firewall kind of below the brake booster so they’re a little harder to reach. The wiring harness to both the wiper motor and cruise control on the firewall will need to be removed.
Two bolts on the firewall.
7. Disconnect the antenna lead-in and the grommet.
Separate the antenna cable where it goes up to the antenna mast on the firewall.
8. Remove the knee bolster.
There were three or four screws along the bottom. The top part clips on. You'll also remove the parking brake release handle (press in the two tabs and pull) and the brake cable that attaches to it. On that, twist and remove.
9. Remove the steering shaft pinch bolt.
I wasn't sure which bolt they were referring to, so I removed the one in the cab.
10. Remove the left and the right sill plate front screw.
11. Remove the left and the right hinge pillar trim panels.
These are just the door sill plates and the triangle piece that surrounds the hood release.
12. Remove the brake release handle from the cable.
See step 8
13. Remove the reaction plate assembly.
This is the outer black piece. Four bolts.
14. Remove the tie bar.
There are four bolts holding the tube in place.
15. Remove the knee deflector bracket. Two screws. Tap it on the bottom and it’ll pop up and off.
I'd really recommend getting a box of ziploc bags and putting the screws from each step in them. I labeled disconnected wiring with green masking tape, which makes it easier during re-installation so that you can easily spot any unconnected wiring harnesses.
Before disconnecting the battery, make sure you lower and slide the driver seat all the way down and back. That's the one thing that I really wished that I had done first.
Also, chock your tires as the shift linkage is removed when the steering column is removed.
Here are the alldata directions:
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
The numbered steps below are from the alldata directions. My comments are in italics.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable(s).
2. Disable the SIR system:
- a. Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.
- b. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
- c. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
- d. Remove the AIR BAG Fuse from the IP fuse block.
- e. Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) from the driver yellow 2-way connector located at the base of the steering column
- f. Disconnect the driver yellow 2-way connector located at the base of the steering column.
- g. Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) from the passenger yellow 2-way connector located near the base of the steering column
- h. Disconnect the passenger yellow 2-way connector located near the base of the steering column.
You must be registered for see images attach
3. Remove the three relay center bolts from the underside of the wheel opening.
The Relay Center is on the driver side fender and held in place by three bolts going through the wheel well. You aren't removing the Relay Center...just unbolting it so that you can move it out of the way. If you can remove it, that might make things a little easier.
You must be registered for see images attach
4. Remove the bulkhead connector.
The white (top) part stays and is attached under the dash to the Convenience Center. There are two screws on the firewall that need to be removed. I've already removed one screw in the picture below. It's to the upper right of the white harness. The second one is diagonal to it and a little harder to reach. Remove both of those screws to allow the white harness to be pulled into the cab.
The black (lower) harness is attached with a torx bit to the Convenience Center. The red arrow points to where the screw head is. I used a T25 screwdriver, but don't know if a socket bit would have fit or not. Remove the torx screw and pry the black harness off.
You must be registered for see images attach
5. Remove the following components from the bulkhead connector:
What you're doing here is removing the harnesses that connect the white bulkhead connector to engine compartment components. The airbag and headlamp connectors are on the fender wall and easy to spot. The others are on the firewall kind of below the brake booster so they’re a little harder to reach. The wiring harness to both the wiper motor and cruise control on the firewall will need to be removed.
- a. The screws from the convenience center to the cowl
- b. The cruise control harness (if equipped)
- c. The forward lamp harness
- d. The SIR system harness
- e. The relay center
Two bolts on the firewall.
7. Disconnect the antenna lead-in and the grommet.
Separate the antenna cable where it goes up to the antenna mast on the firewall.
You must be registered for see images attach
8. Remove the knee bolster.
There were three or four screws along the bottom. The top part clips on. You'll also remove the parking brake release handle (press in the two tabs and pull) and the brake cable that attaches to it. On that, twist and remove.
You must be registered for see images attach
9. Remove the steering shaft pinch bolt.
I wasn't sure which bolt they were referring to, so I removed the one in the cab.
You must be registered for see images attach
10. Remove the left and the right sill plate front screw.
11. Remove the left and the right hinge pillar trim panels.
These are just the door sill plates and the triangle piece that surrounds the hood release.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
12. Remove the brake release handle from the cable.
See step 8
13. Remove the reaction plate assembly.
This is the outer black piece. Four bolts.
You must be registered for see images attach
14. Remove the tie bar.
There are four bolts holding the tube in place.
You must be registered for see images attach
15. Remove the knee deflector bracket. Two screws. Tap it on the bottom and it’ll pop up and off.
You must be registered for see images attach
Last edited: