68 dash and windshield install Q?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 78
From: montague michigan
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
68 dash and windshield install Q?
hey guys, i am at point were i could install the windshield and dash in the 68 roadster. i know when i took it apart i started inside removing the dash pad first.that was a pain in butt! i was worried that i was going too crack the pad flexing it too get it past the pillars...my Q is:
1] should i start on the inside installing the dash and pad first before installing the window?
2]what pillar/header chrome trim needs too be installed before i install the front glass?
give me your thoughts here guys thanks ......thanks troy
1] should i start on the inside installing the dash and pad first before installing the window?
2]what pillar/header chrome trim needs too be installed before i install the front glass?
give me your thoughts here guys thanks ......thanks troy
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,333
Likes: 360
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Most of the guys I know that have done this say it is best to install the dash before the windshield. They also say to get it nice and warm (not suggesting heating it, just do not try it if the vinyl is cold).
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 78
From: montague michigan
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
thanks john, that was what i was thinking on the dash also....what do you think about the pillar trim,and header trim? should some of it be installed be installed before the glass?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I did a write up years ago on how to do the dash pads on the 68-76 cars... but the only thing I would change and should change is the driver dash pad installation. In our shop we always pull the steering column from the car before we do the driver pad install. It's only six bolts... So I did a follow up write up to make doing this easier.
Lots of people ask why remove the column (and your 68 will be a bit different) and go to the trouble but it's pretty simple. The sub-straights on the dash pads are getting older and the weight of the tach, the speedo and other components on the dash pad make it hard to not break the collar around the steering column when suspended it. Having the column out also allows you to sit in the seat and work the pad in place, it also allows you more room to attach the speedo and tach cable. If you have the seats out of the car you can sit on the floor board and rest the pad on your legs while plugging up the wires to the back of it.
To me it doesn't matter if the windshield is in the car or not... It is neither easier or harder either way. .
Additional write up on the dash pads.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...ad-removal.pdf
Original write up on the dash pads... Just read the one above first... and when you get to this one, you just reverse the process since you already have the pads out.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...structions.pdf
Willcox
Lots of people ask why remove the column (and your 68 will be a bit different) and go to the trouble but it's pretty simple. The sub-straights on the dash pads are getting older and the weight of the tach, the speedo and other components on the dash pad make it hard to not break the collar around the steering column when suspended it. Having the column out also allows you to sit in the seat and work the pad in place, it also allows you more room to attach the speedo and tach cable. If you have the seats out of the car you can sit on the floor board and rest the pad on your legs while plugging up the wires to the back of it.
To me it doesn't matter if the windshield is in the car or not... It is neither easier or harder either way. .
Additional write up on the dash pads.
1968-1977 Corvette Left Hand Dash Pad Removal And Install the easy way.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...ad-removal.pdf
Original write up on the dash pads... Just read the one above first... and when you get to this one, you just reverse the process since you already have the pads out.
1968-1977-corvette-dash-pad-remove-and-install-instructions
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...structions.pdf
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 30, 2019 at 11:25 AM.
