Split dash?

[jboomer]

There was a thread or build thread regarding someone "splitting" their dash in order to make it more easily removable in the future (no need to pull steering column), but I'm unable to find it. I'm pulling mine this month to install a new Centech harness and figured while it's out and I'm cutting/patching some holes in it, I may as well look at other ideas too. Anyone remember where this was located?

 

[DonsBolt]

Here is a thread I did a few years ago
when I bought my bronco the preveous owner did a overlay in 5 peices, when I redid it, went to 3 peices

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111784&highlight=dash

 

[66ALRIDE]

This is msweb dash build. His folds down to access to the wires.

 

[Scoop]

There was a thread or build thread regarding someone "splitting" their dash in order to make it more easily removable in the future (no need to pull steering column), but I'm unable to find it. I'm pulling mine this month to install a new Centech harness and figured while it's out and I'm cutting/patching some holes in it, I may as well look at other ideas too. Anyone remember where this was located?

Why do you need to pull the steering column? It will come off if you just remove the steering wheel.

 

[jboomer]

Donsbolt: that's really close to the one I remember seeing, however the one I remember actually showed the designer welding on tabs to help secure the sections. I do like how yours is done and will definitely reference your post if I decide to try it.

Scoop: yeah, I meant wheel...I was typing faster than I was thinking.

 

[needabronco]

It only takes 3-4 minutes to pull the steering column, why not just take it out and be done with it? It takes the same amount of time to pull a steering wheel and you still have to fight the column...%)

What are you going to do with the screws that hold the dash in from the back side?

 

[dbevans2249]

X2, just pull the column. The more times you do the easier it gets. Mine takes less than 5minutes now.

 

[jboomer]

I can pop the steering wheel off pretty easily. It only has 3 bolts holding it to the column. I've tried pulling the column before, but can't get it to pull free. I figure I'm either missing something somewhere or it's frozen into its collar.

What are you going to do with the screws that hold the dash in from the back side?

Don't know what screws you're referring to, but I guess I'll figure that out when I get to them. I've had the dash loose and hanging from the column before when I rebuilt the firewall, so they must not have been that big of an issue.

Figure now's as good a time as any to install my hydroboost as well. Don't know why hunting for the fittings makes me so nervous...other than having never done it before. That hyd clutch is looking awful tempting as well!

 

[jboomer]

It only takes 3-4 minutes to pull the steering column, why not just take it out and be done with it? It takes the same amount of time to pull a steering wheel and you still have to fight the column...%)

Sorry, but that is absolutely not true!! It takes 3-4 minutes to pull the steering wheel, it took an hour to remove the steering column. Between the column brace, column collar, shift linkage, etc...my patience has worn thin for the night, lol. Granted, I'm pretty sure it would have needed to be pulled anyway in order to do my hydro.

 

[needabronco]

After you remove the 4 cover screws, there's 2 bolts holding the column clamp on, and one on the clamp in the engine compartment. Disconnect the steering U-joint, and the shift linkage, disconnect the wiring plug on the column and pull? OK, maybe it's a 5-6 minute process?

There 'should' be 5 or 6 screws holding the dash on from the back. If there there you need to fold the windshield down, they will be in there.

 

[jboomer]

After you remove the 4 cover screws, there's 2 bolts holding the column clamp on, and one on the clamp in the engine compartment. Disconnect the steering U-joint, and the shift linkage, disconnect the wiring plug on the column and pull? OK, maybe it's a 5-6 minute process?

There 'should' be 5 or 6 screws holding the dash on from the back. If there there you need to fold the windshield down, they will be in there.

First you've got to manipulate a ratchet up in there amongst the wires and pedal arms and you only get about a quarter of a swing before it hits something and you have to reset it. There's 5 of these screws. The column is worse in that there's about an 1/2" of room for the ratchet to work. Oh yeah, and holding the column up with your head while cranking out these two bolts helps a lot! Then there's a column support that has two bolts and must be removed. Fortunately, it's substantially easier to remove. The shift linkage must be pried out of their arms, which required two large screwdrivers and resulted in 3 decent puncture wounds in my middle finger when the screwdrivers would slip and my finger would smack one of the 5 aforementioned screws. Substantial cussing and goofy dancing followed. Finally, you get to maneuver the column and shift arms through the firewall hole (I've got that sealed pretty well with insulation), the spiderweb of wires behind the dash, and finally the dash hole itself. 5-6 minutes? No. 50-60 minutes? No question.

PS...I forgot to mention you have to be a contortionist in order to get at those under-the-dash bolts/screws.

I figure when I go to reassemble, I'll remove the wheel from the shaft and install the shaft/column first. Then slide the dash on and replace the wheel. Unless I split the dash (subject of the thread) and can do it more easily.