How to remove firewall connector bulkhead?

[Coelacanth]

This could be posted in either "Interior" or "Electrical", my apologies if it's posted incorrectly. I want to detach the clump of wires on the interior where they attach to the firewall so I can remove my instrument panel ('70 Charger). I see no screws, on either inside or engine-side. On the engine side near the brake booster, I have disconnected the 3 sets of connectors. How do I detach the whole bulkhead connector so I can pull it forward from the interior? I see what looks like 4 metal triangular tabs (2 on top, 2 below) but I'm hesitant to mess with anything that involves 5-decades-old plastic without an action plan.

 

[kiwigtx]

Squeeze the four spring clips around the edge - two top, two bottom, and just push it inside the car.

Then you have to fenagle the loom around.

 

[Coelacanth]

Thanks, so maybe a thin flat screwdriver or needle-nose pliers pressing those retainer clips downward (the top 2) and upward (bottom 2) would get them to press inside the slots from the engine side?

 

[Pistol Pete]

You're on the right track. You need to depress those four metal tabs so that they pass through the firewall. Try doing two at a time, that is, depress the top two, push them in a little, then do the bottom two.

 

[Pistol Pete]

I type entirely too slow.

 

[Coelacanth]

Thanks guys.

 

[kiwigtx]

Thanks, so maybe a thin flat screwdriver or needle-nose pliers pressing those retainer clips downward (the top 2) and upward (bottom 2) would get them to press inside the slots from the engine side?

You can use a screwdriver...but fingers are usually enough....and fingers won't damage the paintwork.

 

[RemCharger]

Removing the gauge cluster? Don't think pulling the BH connector is going to help any

 

[Kern Dog]

You don't have to remove the firewall bulkhead to remove the instrument cluster.

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

This could be posted in either "Interior" or "Electrical", my apologies if it's posted incorrectly. I want to detach the clump of wires on the interior where they attach to the firewall so I can remove my instrument panel ('70 Charger). I see no screws, on either inside or engine-side. On the engine side near the brake booster, I have disconnected the 3 sets of connectors. How do I detach the whole bulkhead connector so I can pull it forward from the interior? I see what looks like 4 metal triangular tabs (2 on top, 2 below) but I'm hesitant to mess with anything that involves 5-decades-old plastic without an action plan.

View attachment 1911008

Shouldn’t need to take bulkhead out just to take dash out thou unless your replacing the inside wiring

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

Late to the game I am

 

[Kern Dog]

I need to do the brakes. Does anyone know the easiest way to remove the transmission?

Kidding !

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

I need to do the brakes. Does anyone know the easiest way to remove the transmission?


View attachment 1911015

Kidding !

make sure you pull the motor as one assembly Just kidding

 

[Coelacanth]

You don't have to remove the firewall bulkhead to remove the instrument cluster.

I know, but I watched one video on YT saying that it's much easier to remove it completely to clean everything without it being still attached to the firewall, and also easier to reinstall once everything is reconnected, by first reconnecting the firewall bulkhead. With no slack, you can't easily pull the instrument panel clear out of the car.

 

[RemCharger]

I know, but I watched one video on YT saying that it's much easier to remove it completely to clean everything without it being still attached to the firewall, and also easier to reinstall once everything is reconnected, by first reconnecting the firewall bulkhead. With no slack, you can't easily pull the instrument panel clear out of the car.

Can you link the video?

 

[Kern Dog]

If the video features Uncle Tony, disregard everything he says.

 

[Dennis H]

Gentle and have a spare in-hand. Cut off battery first and have extinguisher too.

 

[Ron H]

In my case, I was able to remove the bulkhead from the topside and also reconnect all the wiring. Ma mopar left enough slack wire to accommodate it. Was pleasantly surprised how nice the wiring and connections still were to the backside of the BH.

Here are a couple photos before and after.

 

[Coelacanth]

Can you link the video?

@1:14

 

[Coelacanth]

In my case, I was able to remove the bulkhead from the topside and also reconnect all the wiring. Ma mopar left enough slack wire to accommodate it. Was pleasantly surprised how nice the wiring and connections still were to the backside of the BH.

Here are a couple photos before and after.

View attachment 1911074

View attachment 1911075

View attachment 1911076

Thanks, someone gets it. Reconnecting everything back to the instrument panel without having plenty of slack makes this an unnecessarily arduous task. With the bulkhead removed and pulled, you can connect everything to the panel easily, then reach in and press in the bulkhead last. No engine removal required.