Dash pad removal 70 RR

[HEMI-ITIS]

Do we have to remove the windshield and dash to change the upper dash pad???

 

[71dodgechargerrt]

On my 71 you do not need to remove window or dash but it helps if you remove the seats and research where the nuts are underneath you need to remove to take off the old pad. I am sure some of the 70 guys can give you some tips.

 

[vintage chromoly]

I can be done without removing the glass.
That said, you have to remove just about everything else in the dash, and with that cage, it will be much easier to just remove the glass.

 

[R413]

There are 6 studs that point to the front of the car. So cluster and glove box liner out will make it a lot easier. Studs are about 5/8” long.

A smaller limber person is very helpful, like a gymnast or a yoga teacher! LOL

Nothing easy about hours spent removing the windshield and dash. I wouldn’t do it. Work on it some and take your frustration breaks when necessary.

 

[Hemirunner]

Remove the seats and shifter so you can lay on the floor then you can reach the nuts from underneath the dash with a long extension or two or three. It’s not horrible and it beats risking damage to the windshield.

 

[gkent]

you have to remove just about everything else in the dash,

I have pulled many pads out of '68-'70 b-bodys in wrecking yards without removing a single other thing AND not doing any damage. A 1/4 drive ratchet with a 6" extension and the appropriate socket is all you need. Wear gloves and long sleeves !!

 

[vintage chromoly]

How many have you put back in on the reverse manner?
As I said, you can pull them out. It’s much easier to remove the majority of the dash. It’s even easier to remove the window.

I have pulled many pads out of '68-'70 b-bodys in wrecking yards without removing a single other thing AND not doing any damage. A 1/4 drive ratchet with a 6" extension and the appropriate socket is all you need. Wear gloves and long sleeves !!

 

[gkent]

Putting them in isn't a big deal BUT you have to have a way to keep the nut in the socket. This is easily done with masking tape inside the socket. The nuts are just stamped push nuts or whatever they're called so they don't even need perfect alignment to start them and twist them on. Do NOT use a universal on the socket or you'll be forever trying to get it to line up to get the nuts on.

Taking the dash apart to swap the pad is ridiculous ... as is removing the windshield.

 

[peabodyracin]

I did my 69 earlier this winter. Gauge cluster, radio, heater controls and glove box out, plus the defrost flex hoses. Wasn't bad. I sat on the seat the whole time. Reassembly went better than expected. I put a small dab of wheel bearing grease on new nuts to hold them in place. Used a selection of 1/4" drive sockets, extensions, small ratchet and one flex shaft with screw driver handle on it. Worked well. Biggest problem I had was scratching up my forearms on sharp edges reaching through the openings.

 

[gkent]

Wear gloves and long sleeves

 

[peabodyracin]

You're right on the long sleeves. I'm a slow learner. The gloves wouldn't work for me. I found I needed the tactile feel to accomplish this.