How do I pull the dashboard?

[heep]

I want to get to the dimmer switch and then the gas, fuel, ect guages. How do I get to them? I snapped out the black trim ring. It seems like the whole rest comes out together. This is on an 88GW. I tried searching but kept finding threads about the actual dash on top.
TIA
Chris

[Elliott]

Tilt your column all the way down, undo everything at the back of the cluster and tweak it out sideways at an angle.
To pull your entire dash would require removing the windshield, it's not neccessary.

[Sitting Bull]

Not sure on a 88, but on the earlier years, you have to remove the two bolts holding the column to the dash as well. This lets the steering column go down far enough to get the bezel out.

[Elliott]

Originally posted by Sitting Bull:
Not sure on a 88, but on the earlier years, you have to remove the two bolts holding the column to the dash as well. This lets the steering column go down far enough to get the bezel out.I always managed to tweak around it, but you do have to be right on the money.

[heep]

Alright, I'll give it a try. I got the speedometer part unbolted but couldn't remove it from the dash. It was real tight and I didn't want to pull too hard. I was gonna start taking everything off but figured I'd see if there was an easier way.

Thanks!

[Elliott]

Originally posted by heep:
Alright, I'll give it a try. I got the speedometer part unbolted but couldn't remove it from the dash. It was real tight and I didn't want to pull too hard. I was gonna start taking everything off but figured I'd see if there was an easier way.

Thanks!The cable will pull right out when you start pulling the cluster forward. It is tight in there and all the rubber vacuumn lines for the heater control at the left side like to try and hang up on the dash so you want to get the right side coming out ahead of the left.... and note which line goes to which nipple. If the speedo cable is not slipping out you can pull some slack through the firewall, but I've always been able to do it from under the dash.
Dropping the steering column will make things easier like posted above.

[bvibert]

He has an 88 which would be the new style dash. I believe the heater controls are seperate from the cluster in the middle of the dash. I've never messed with the newer dashes, so I can't give you any personal experience. But here is a link to an article in the Tech Library that describes how to change the lights in the new style cluster (part of the procedure is to remove the cluster)

http://www.ifsja.org/tech/electrical/dashlights.shtml

Good luck

[Elliott]

Good tip Brian, I never had anything newer then '81.

[ September 18, 2003, 08:00 AM: Message edited by: Elliott ]

[Jeep Jeep]

You need to reach under the dash and disconect the speedo cable. Once disconected, you should be able pull out enough to see what needs to be disconected.

[heep]

Ahh..I see! So I had it, I justt have to disconnect the speedo cable. I was thinking I needed to remove all the wood trim around the guages.
Thanks again! I'll give this a try tonight and let ya'll know how it goes!

-Chris

[Elliott]

Originally posted by heep:
Ahh..I see! So I had it, I justt have to disconnect the speedo cable. I was thinking I needed to remove all the wood trim around the guages.
Thanks again! I'll give this a try tonight and let ya'll know how it goes!

-ChrisOh yeah, sorry about that. When you said you had it unbolted I thought you meant the cable too. Glad you didn't mangle it. smile.gif

[caionneach]

I have an 82 Chero. Is the procedure for removing the dash similar? None of my dash lights work, so I must get in there with a multi-meter and see what's going on. My speedometer is OK, but there is no light.

Kenneth
Monroe, LA

[Gawdzilla.]

CROWBAR. Always works for me. smile.gif

[janie]

Originally posted by Gawdzilla:
CROWBAR. Always works for me. smile.gif That, along with a few unmentionable words, works wonders every time!. (grin)

Anyway Kenneth, these fellas won't steer you wrong. I went thru this when replacing my dash. Like Elliott said, drop the steering column.

Makes life a whole lot easier, but trust me, you will still swear.

Janie

79 J-10 "Peso"
360 TH400
Rust...going away

[ December 10, 2003, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: janie ]

[Gawdzilla.]

OK, seriously, this is fresh in my mind since I've had my dash of four times this week. : )
Doin gauges.

1) drop the column. 2 bolts.
2) unscrew the dash. 3...whoops. that's mine. SIX screws. smile.gif
3) lay down on the floor, reach up behind it and unscrew the speedo first. put it back in last. It's a beyotch to reach but you can use the play in the cable better this way.
4) pull the right side of the dash out first, then the left so you can clear the vacuum lines and the heater control. helps to have the heater turned to cold.
if you need it all the way off, disconnect everything from the back. you should have about 4 or 5 inches to work with now.

Janie, how're things in N Texas? I lived in Wylie for a year, still miss it- 'specially my fishin hole in Farmersville.

[Gawdzilla.]

Originally posted by caionneach:
I have an 82 Chero. Is the procedure for removing the dash similar? None of my dash lights work, so I must get in there with a multi-meter and see what's going on. My speedometer is OK, but there is no light.

Kenneth
Monroe, LAKenneth- it's a complete circuit, so if just one of your bulbs is out, none of them will work.

[Quiet Rebel]

A word of caution: Make sure you're chocked tightly when you drop the steering column on the 79 era FSJs because it might cause your shifter to drop out of park. Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley near ran over myself last summer when I did it, and having the steering wheel pulled off didn't give me much to hold on to either.

[Gawdzilla.]

whoops!