C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Left Lower Dash Help

Old Apr 8, 2018 | 04:55 PM
  #1  
Johnnypegs's Avatar
Johnnypegs
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 20
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default Left Lower Dash Help




Hey guys I’m attempting but failing to install the left lower dash assembly. Is there a way that you guys have done to hold the assemby up while you connect the wiring? And what do you think I should Do about this wiring? All the bulbs have been chopped, so when I pop Them in the bulbs fall out inside, or the wiring splits itself. I’m currently ripping my hair out. Trying not to get frustrated. The wiring is just so bad. I have Everything out.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2018 | 06:41 PM
  #2  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Personally, I think I'd snag a new dash main harness off the sale that ends tonight... it's 20 off and will solve most of the hatchet issues you have. Dash main harness

Secondly.. this is by far the best way to install a left dash pad.. but it appears as if you have all three out. Since you have the column out of the car this is by far the best way to install the left pad... but I'd use the second link below and work it backwards. Since the column is out, you can install the upper first, then the left hand lower... then the center gauge bezel and then the right dash pad.

I hope this makes sense... most people don't already have the column out of the car or for that fact the other pads..

Okay..

Dash pad installation instructions (work this one backwards)

Left dash pad installation.

Willlcox

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 8, 2018 at 06:42 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2018 | 07:13 PM
  #3  
Johnnypegs's Avatar
Johnnypegs
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 20
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
Personally, I think I'd snag a new dash main harness off the sale that ends tonight... it's 20 off and will solve most of the hatchet issues you have. Dash main harness

Secondly.. this is by far the best way to install a left dash pad.. but it appears as if you have all three out. Since you have the column out of the car this is by far the best way to install the left pad... but I'd use the second link below and work it backwards. Since the column is out, you can install the upper first, then the left hand lower... then the center gauge bezel and then the right dash pad.

I hope this makes sense... most people don't already have the column out of the car or for that fact the other pads..

Okay..

Dash pad installation instructions (work this one backwards)

Left dash pad installation.

Willlcox
With the new harness... would it be similar to a plug and play? Obviously way more in-depth than an engine compartment harness.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2018 | 09:14 PM
  #4  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

With a new harness you really can't blow it... The color of wires are marked on the back of the speedo and tach and the center cluster is plug and play. No two connectors are the same so you really can't blow it.

Willcox
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2018 | 10:26 PM
  #5  
Johnnypegs's Avatar
Johnnypegs
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 20
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

I’ll be ordering tonight! Thank Willcox!
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2018 | 10:35 PM
  #6  
carriljc's Avatar
carriljc
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,672
Likes: 1,363
Default

I extended all my the leads on my dash harness by splicing, soldering, and heat-shrinking in extensions. I also added disconnect connectors such that everything is installed on the dashpad first.

I can install all instrumentation leads and then plug them in after the dash pad is in place.

To avoid having the illumination lamp "sockets" fall out of the back - I used to tape them to the back of the instruments. Of course, this did nothing for the illumination lamps that fell INTO the speedo
tach.......however.....I ended up replacing the individual illumination lamps as follows:
-------I swapped out the individual lighting lamps so they don't fall into the gauges by replacing the lamps with LED lighting strips.
See here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-tach.html


Originally Posted by Johnnypegs



Hey guys I’m attempting but failing to install the left lower dash assembly. Is there a way that you guys have done to hold the assemby up while you connect the wiring? And what do you think I should Do about this wiring? All the bulbs have been chopped, so when I pop Them in the bulbs fall out inside, or the wiring splits itself. I’m currently ripping my hair out. Trying not to get frustrated. The wiring is just so bad. I have Everything out.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 10:34 AM
  #7  
gtmsomeday's Avatar
gtmsomeday
Advanced
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 93
Likes: 72
From: Dallas Texas
Default

What carriljc said! I reused weatherpac connectors off an old project car.
Attached Images  

Last edited by gtmsomeday; Apr 10, 2018 at 10:37 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 12:00 PM
  #8  
Primoz's Avatar
Primoz
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
Personally, I think I'd snag a new dash main harness off the sale that ends tonight... it's 20 off and will solve most of the hatchet issues you have. Dash main harness

Secondly.. this is by far the best way to install a left dash pad.. but it appears as if you have all three out. Since you have the column out of the car this is by far the best way to install the left pad... but I'd use the second link below and work it backwards. Since the column is out, you can install the upper first, then the left hand lower... then the center gauge bezel and then the right dash pad.

I hope this makes sense... most people don't already have the column out of the car or for that fact the other pads..

Okay..

Dash pad installation instructions (work this one backwards)

Left dash pad installation.

Willlcox
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 07:45 PM
  #9  
bagpipes's Avatar
bagpipes
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
Personally, I think I'd snag a new dash main harness off the sale that ends tonight... it's 20 off and will solve most of the hatchet issues you have. Dash main harness

Secondly.. this is by far the best way to install a left dash pad.. but it appears as if you have all three out. Since you have the column out of the car this is by far the best way to install the left pad... but I'd use the second link below and work it backwards. Since the column is out, you can install the upper first, then the left hand lower... then the center gauge bezel and then the right dash pad.

I hope this makes sense... most people don't already have the column out of the car or for that fact the other pads..

Okay..

Dash pad installation instructions (work this one backwards)

Left dash pad installation.

Willlcox
I'm looking for a dash harness for an early 77 but I don't see them on your site.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 08:59 PM
  #10  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Originally Posted by bagpipes
I'm looking for a dash harness for an early 77 but I don't see them on your site.
Not sure why you didn't find them... Harness. Main brings all of them up at this link https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...=harness.+dash

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Left Lower Dash Help



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE