Easier to remove dash panel

[CopperBronco]

I’m going to redo my wiring harness with the Painless kit, my dash has things in wrong places…. I’d love glove box moved over and need 66-68 year dash, I don’t see it for sale anywhere.

Some of the holes in dash have little notches so dash components don’t spin, etc… does it have to be laser cut? I’m not sure a drill press will get this right… any advice?

Also I’d like dash / wiring to be easier to remove, I’ve noticed some high end Bronco restoration shops cut bulkhead connectors into the firewall, this way wiring can be unplugged at firewall / engine bay. I like this idea of having that ability as needed in the future to make dash easier to remove. Has anyone tried this or have a recommendation here? Very aware bulkhead adds another point of failure, but it also prevents vibration and risks of slow damage or shorting as wires pass through metal area, even if hole has rubber grommet and wiring has sleeves on it. Saw one like this in a high end resto:

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Many thanks in advance…

 

[Madgyver]

Make dash 2 piece with a cut at steering column opening. Add a floating tab behind dash to connect. With a front cage a 2 piece dash is easier to remove with steering column still in place.
I've done this to 2 broncos with a 3rd in the works.
With a steering column cover, no one will notice cuts.

 

[Johnnyb]

Make dash 2 piece with a cut at steering column opening. Add a floating tab behind dash to connect. With a front cage a 2 piece dash is easier to remove with steering column still in place.
I've done this to 2 broncos with a 3rd in the works.
With a steering column cover, no one will notice cuts.

I wish I had made my dash a 2-piece! What I did was cut and flip the glove compartment and radio speaker. It makes the Painless fuse box tight with the ashtray, but it works and the glove compartment clears the cage.
-JB

 

[CopperBronco]

Make dash 2 piece with a cut at steering column opening. Add a floating tab behind dash to connect. With a front cage a 2 piece dash is easier to remove with steering column still in place.
I've done this to 2 broncos with a 3rd in the works.
With a steering column cover, no one will notice cuts.

So you just splice and get another piece of sheet metal that you cut bolt holes for that align with steering column cover bolts and bolt altogether?