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Hi Jg,
Yes, replacing the right and left lower dash pads takes some work.
The left side pad is more difficult to work on because of the instruments mounted in it.
There's so much going on behind the left side dash and the center gauge bezel that typically it comes apart a bit more easily than it goes back together.
Do you have the Assembly Instruction Manual for your car?
That would certainly help you.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Jg,
Yes, replacing the right and left lower dash pads takes some work.
The left side pad is more difficult to work on because of the instruments mounted in it.
There's so much going on behind the left side dash and the center gauge bezel that typically it comes apart a bit more easily than it goes back together.
Do you have the Assembly Instruction Manual for your car?
That would certainly help you.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Jg,
I think you'll find the Assembly Manual helpful.
Take a look at the pages devoted to the dash in the interior and electrical sections of the manual.
By taking a look first you'll have a better idea of what you're going to find.
You may want to label some electrical connections as an aid when it's time to put it all back together.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's an example of the kind of info in the manual.
I just replaced both of mine. It is not that bad if you take your time, and know in advance that it's going to be aggravating. Getting all the bulbs and connectors in is a bit of a pain. Take plenty of pictures of the back of the drivers side.
I just replaced all of my dash and interior completely.....I got everything from Wilcox. Great service, customer support and pricing. It was one of the toughest and most time consuming things I have done to my '71 so far. I have about 150 hours in a complete interior replacement. Including the seats it took 14 days of vacation time from work to do it..... Details, details, details!! Take your time and make everything fit seamlessly....it can be done. Aftermarket parts are pretty good now days. It made a world of difference to my car to me.
Oh, I am still in the doghouse for what I spent on it all....but it was worth it!!
This is my 3rd C3... I’ve done everything except the dash myself.... this is one thing I’d pay for if the price is right. I’m lucky I’m close to Willcox. I hope to document the process if we agree. I think it would be great for other out there to see the process and great advertising for Willcox at the same time
I have accomplished a lot of tasks on my car but I threw in the towel on the dash panels. Especially the driver's side. It's a hard job so I took my car to a firm called the Vette Doctor. They are doing the work.
I happened to ask Bob (the owner) what was the hardest job he has ever had to do on a c3 and guess what he said. The dash panels.
So good luck to you .. If you decide to do the work yourself just be meticuous and patient.
Jetglow.. Tommy said you called but putting a price on this would be impossible without seeing the car and the condition of the other parts. For instance, you sent me some pictures today... The pillars look like they could be replaced... do you want these replaced or do you want to go with others..
While you said you have speakers in the kicks, it's way too simple to replace the original speakers with a quality upgrade when the pad is out.
Next ... you know there are more than enough tech articles on my tech page to guide you through this process should you decide to do it yourself.. but without seeing the car and the condition of everything it's pretty darn hard to put a price on doing the job. Your're more than welcome to drive it down so I can take a look at it.
Willcox.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 10, 2018 at 08:53 PM.
I have new pillars that have not been installed.... don’t want dash speakers...center console is out already and I’ll put that back in myself when I install the stereo..
so pretty much the dash pad and left right dash.... I assemble the rest. I’ll call you tomorrow
I have new pillars that have not been installed.... don’t want dash speakers...center console is out already and I’ll put that back in myself when I install the stereo..
so pretty much the dash pad and left right dash.... I assemble the rest. I’ll call you tomorrow
LOL.. you'll get Tommy tomorrow, it won't do you any good.
I won't be in the office or the shop tomorrow.. I'm training for the Lou. 26.6 mile marathon the 28th and to be honest... it's killing me. I hurt my foot two months ago and missed 21 days of training... at my age doing 2 runs a day over 5 miles each run is wearing me down.. I'm taking tomorrow off.. and possibly Friday... Old school warrior.
Email me direct but at the email I sent you from today... I'll probably e there Friday but I stay in the shop and there are no phones out there so either bring the car by or email me again....
I guess I was assuming the dash comes out a certain way and goes back in a certain way so I figured it would be easy to figure an appropriate cost if everything went straightforward with no issues....
I also figure since I already have all of this other stuff out....might as well go all the way..
Read thru those Willcox tech articles and look at the AIM take your time and I’m sure you’d be fine. Since you said you’ve done everything but a dash on one of these in my opinion then you would have done worse jobs than this. If it was mine I would change the heater core now also if I went this far. When I changed my heater core I took everything out and although the left side was a bit more challenging it was still doable.
I'd repair and respray them myself. Loosen off the screws and pull out slightly, mask up, and blast with some SEM Colorcoat matched to your silver interior. New interior parts can be hard to fit right, as anyone who has wrestled with curvy new door panels knows!
I'd repair and respray them myself. Loosen off the screws and pull out slightly, mask up, and blast with some SEM Colorcoat matched to your silver interior. New interior parts can be hard to fit right, as anyone who has wrestled with curvy new door panels knows!
I was able to get dealer cost on new dash, vent ***** and defroster vent...
only had to pay $929 for all of it including shipping. Saved me over $300
Im going to go ahead and do it.....the thing that intimidates me is pulling the steering column .....cant I just get away with dropping it instead?
Did mine in my 77, easier with the column out and I also removed the drivers seat and t top too for as much room as possible to work and get under the dash. Biggest fear was everything working prior to removal, and then not working when reinstalled.
The column really isnt a big deal. Remove the lower cover, the 2 bolts under it, the ones at the firewall, and loosen it at the rag joint. A few wire connections and out it comes.
New Dash
Old school warrior.
