1968 gtx

[Shbas]

I am putting my 68 gtx back together and am placing a new year one wire harness back in the dash. What I need to know is the fuse box location. This is an air condition car. My 67 Dodge Coronet wagon has the fuse box on a metal tab on the drivers side near the kick panel under the dash . I do not have that tab on my dash of the GTX. Can anyone point me in the right area. The car has been apart for 3 years and shame on me for not taking pics of the area before I tore it down.Thanks. Any help would be great.

 

[rrunner]

Goes on the lower part of the dash, L. lower area of the glove box

 

[Shbas]

Thank you. I tried it this morning and bingo that was the spot. I'm going to be busy today. Thanks again.

 

[dfarmercse]

Have fun, I am going to start putting my harness in tomorrow.

Dave F

 

[Shbas]

I tried wiring the headlight switches, wipers, etc today. Went to put the speedo back in and the lower pad and it's just one big nightmare. It's like the dash needs to come out to place every thing back in. What a pain in the butt. Wasted a whole day and pulled it back apart. Back to the drawing board.

 

[rrunner]

I tried wiring the headlight switches, wipers, etc today. Went to put the speedo back in and the lower pad and it's just one big nightmare. It's like the dash needs to come out to place every thing back in. What a pain in the butt. Wasted a whole day and pulled it back apart. Back to the drawing board.

Did you install the cluster, lower pad and switch panel in that order?

 

[Shbas]

Yes. The problem I ran into when I went to place the switch panel into the lower pad that I had already bolted up the two end switches headlights and dimmer switch would not fit into the lower pad through the dash.

 

[Chickenman21]

Yes. The problem I ran into when I went to place the switch panel into the lower pad that I had already bolted up the two end switches headlights and dimmer switch would not fit into the lower pad through the dash.

I know this is an old thread but I am having the same problem but the thread stopped short of giving an answer. Do I need to drop the steering column for access? Do I need to install the headlight and dash dimmer switches from behind after the panel is installed? Thanks for any help here.

 

[wagonman]

When I did mine yes I dropped the column down and plugged the switches in. It is a bear trying to get the connectors on the switches once installed. The lower dash pad is probably fragile like mine just use caution as not to crack the vinyl. Plastic trim tools work best. Go slowly, step back take a breather. It will go together.

 

[Chickenman21]

When I did mine yes I dropped the column down and plugged the switches in. It is a bear trying to get the connectors on the switches once installed. The lower dash pad is probably fragile like mine just use caution as not to crack the vinyl. Plastic trim tools work best. Go slowly, step back take a breather. It will go together.

Thanks for the confidence. Think I better hide my hammers before I go any farther.

 

[69L48Z27]

If you can reach behind and unplug/plug the harnesses it's better than trying to do it while removing or before installing. There's not a lot of slack. I was able to do that while the column was still installed. If your trying to remove it helps to push it out from behind.

 

[Chickenman21]

If you can reach behind and unplug/plug the harnesses it's better than trying to do it while removing or before installing. There's not a lot of slack. I was able to do that while the column was still installed. If your trying to remove it helps to push it out from behind.

I have the switch panel out and restored and the switches installed. First attempt to reinstall the panel, the steering column was in the way to reinstall. Don't remember how I got it out w/out lowering the steering column. The light switch and instrument dimmer are a problem going back in. I'm thinking I need to lower the column and install the dimmer from the back after the panel is back in. A real PITA.

 

[69L48Z27]

If the lower dash pad is swelled or twisted it's real tight for sure. Anyway you can do it without damage is the right way.

 

[moparedtn]

When I re-did my cluster and switch panel, I had the same worries and issues (including swelled up lower pad).
Yes, lowering the column helps. A lot.
Yes, by all means plug the light and dimmer switches, etc. in before putting them back in thru the pad - yes, the harnesses are too short, but it beats doing it from behind, especially if you're as intolerant of getting upside down under the dash as my body is.
Using plastic putty knives/body filler knives helps ease the switches back thru the pad.

Oh, and for heavens' sake, go the extra mile and bench test EVERYTHING on the instrument cluster before putting it back in. Rig up a set of jumpers from a battery and test every dang circuit, replacing bad bulbs, making solder repairs as necessary, etc.
Do the job once....and yes, make sure all hammers are well out of reach.