Dash Installation Workflow?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Los Angeles
Dash Installation Workflow?
‘71 Base with Vintage Air
It’s time to install the dash and I’m looking at which sequence of parts will work best. The only thing in right now is the Vintage Air Blower.
I’m thinking that leaving the dash pad for last will allow for the best access to wiring and vacuum lines. Any reason not to?
How does one know which way the gauge plugs go on? Some only fit one way, but others can go either way. Is there a rule of thumb or any resource that shows which side goes out (away from the gauge)?
I’m also thinking about adding some extra ground wires, just to head off potential issues. Have you done this and what did you do?
Thanks
It’s time to install the dash and I’m looking at which sequence of parts will work best. The only thing in right now is the Vintage Air Blower.
I’m thinking that leaving the dash pad for last will allow for the best access to wiring and vacuum lines. Any reason not to?
How does one know which way the gauge plugs go on? Some only fit one way, but others can go either way. Is there a rule of thumb or any resource that shows which side goes out (away from the gauge)?
I’m also thinking about adding some extra ground wires, just to head off potential issues. Have you done this and what did you do?
Thanks
Race Director
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I'll try to help a little as I've had my dash apart that many times over the years. I have a 77, so very similar. First, drivers dash, kick panel, sill plate, steering column. Then center guage cluster, radio, console top, then side panels. Then Map pocket, RH kick panel, sill plate, then dash top panel, A piller trims then header trim.
No I've never added extra grounds. Everyone on here seems to always blame the ground wires for everything. I've personally never had a problem. I just make sure I have a good clean ground and always put a dab of grease on the area to prevent corrosion. A star washer between the Birdcage and the wire eyelets helps make a good contact. If done correctly you don't need extra ground wires.
as per your socket question, certainly something is different on your car compared to mine. So can't help there.
No I've never added extra grounds. Everyone on here seems to always blame the ground wires for everything. I've personally never had a problem. I just make sure I have a good clean ground and always put a dab of grease on the area to prevent corrosion. A star washer between the Birdcage and the wire eyelets helps make a good contact. If done correctly you don't need extra ground wires.
as per your socket question, certainly something is different on your car compared to mine. So can't help there.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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If your upper gauge cluster trim is cracked the wiper switch may not have a decent ground. Thats where i add an extra ground from the switch to the bird cage
I have a 68 so i put it together slightly different. I work from the floor up. Drivers side first, kick panels then sills. Drivers dash, shifter console, console trim plate, gauge plate, passenger kick panel, sill plate, passenger pad. I would put on the dash top pad on before the upper windshield trim and steering column dead last so you can get to those upper dash pad fasteners easier.
Roughly the same idea. Look at your trim and see what needs to be on top of the preceding pieces and you will figure it out.
I have a 68 so i put it together slightly different. I work from the floor up. Drivers side first, kick panels then sills. Drivers dash, shifter console, console trim plate, gauge plate, passenger kick panel, sill plate, passenger pad. I would put on the dash top pad on before the upper windshield trim and steering column dead last so you can get to those upper dash pad fasteners easier.
Roughly the same idea. Look at your trim and see what needs to be on top of the preceding pieces and you will figure it out.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Mar 14, 2024 at 07:23 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Upper dash pad "hooks" into place on windshield side. Clip nuts on the lower dash/guage cluster side. No need to access anything when installing upper dash pad in my 77. However, making certain the clip nuts are in the correct position when installing the pad is important.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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That would be nice, mine has fasteners
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 215
Likes: 46
From: Los Angeles
If your upper gauge cluster trim is cracked the wiper switch may not have a decent ground. Thats where i add an extra ground from the switch to the bird cage
I have a 68 so i put it together slightly different. I work from the floor up. Drivers side first, kick panels then sills. Drivers dash, shifter console, console trim plate, gauge plate, passenger kick panel, sill plate, passenger pad. I would put on the dash top pad on before the upper windshield trim and steering column dead last so you can get to those upper dash pad fasteners easier.
Roughly the same idea. Look at your trim and see what needs to be on top of the preceding pieces and you will figure it out.
I have a 68 so i put it together slightly different. I work from the floor up. Drivers side first, kick panels then sills. Drivers dash, shifter console, console trim plate, gauge plate, passenger kick panel, sill plate, passenger pad. I would put on the dash top pad on before the upper windshield trim and steering column dead last so you can get to those upper dash pad fasteners easier.
Roughly the same idea. Look at your trim and see what needs to be on top of the preceding pieces and you will figure it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 8,433
Likes: 392
From: Oklahoma
Following.
I also have vintage air just installed on my 68 and trying to figure out the best way to install that upper dash pad with the new venting in the center of the dash pad.
Hoping to get some good feedback and tips (other than hot day) to get the dash pad on. 😜
I also have vintage air just installed on my 68 and trying to figure out the best way to install that upper dash pad with the new venting in the center of the dash pad.
Hoping to get some good feedback and tips (other than hot day) to get the dash pad on. 😜
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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Im putting my 68 together now....the top dash pad has to go on first because you cant even see the screws to tighten it once the front dash is in...
I jave the top loose and the kick panels in then put the top of the front pad in and push the bottom onto the kick panel....still need 4 hands, a monkey and a football to get it together....took hours with fitting, fighting and fiddling...
I jave the top loose and the kick panels in then put the top of the front pad in and push the bottom onto the kick panel....still need 4 hands, a monkey and a football to get it together....took hours with fitting, fighting and fiddling...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Wow that upper dash pad must be really different on a 68. Compared to the 69-77 top pad. One screw, one.
comes up from underneath on mine. So the map pocket has to go in last. The upper pad on mine has clips on the forward edge (windshield side) that hook in. Then screws on the interior side that go up through the divers dash, (3) screws going up through the center guage cluster (2). And the one screw through a bracket behind the map pocket then the screws going up through the map pocket (3). And we are done.
I put in the drivers dash with speedo and tach first. Then center guage cluster. Then dash top. Map pocket last. Of course that's a bit abbreviated. There are also kick panels and console parts. But you get the idea.
comes up from underneath on mine. So the map pocket has to go in last. The upper pad on mine has clips on the forward edge (windshield side) that hook in. Then screws on the interior side that go up through the divers dash, (3) screws going up through the center guage cluster (2). And the one screw through a bracket behind the map pocket then the screws going up through the map pocket (3). And we are done.
I put in the drivers dash with speedo and tach first. Then center guage cluster. Then dash top. Map pocket last. Of course that's a bit abbreviated. There are also kick panels and console parts. But you get the idea.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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I wish it was that easy...theres a stud and 2 screws ...i posted a pic earlier of the pad....i will look for it again
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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The last pic is the drivers side...i could see the screw but not the stud...would need a 2 foot screw driver to get at it...lol
Race Director
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Yes you have the clips on the forward edge. But the later years have speakers in the dash so that stud and screw mount on the drivers side was deleted by the factory. There is the one screw on the passengers side that comes up through a support bracket.
but that center stud and screw on the drivers side were later deleted. If that was my car, and knowing that the later years didn't need those mountings. I would make certain those clips on the windshield side clip in properly, and the screws along the front were all in. But I wouldn't bother with those above the speedo and tach.
but that center stud and screw on the drivers side were later deleted. If that was my car, and knowing that the later years didn't need those mountings. I would make certain those clips on the windshield side clip in properly, and the screws along the front were all in. But I wouldn't bother with those above the speedo and tach.
Race Director
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Here's a pic I pulled up from about a year ago. I'm certain I've had this apart more recently but couldn't find a pic. I have this car apart and back together so often sometimes I don't think to take pic's.
As you can see in this photo. Drivers dash is in. Center guage cluster is in. And if you look above my drivers side guages. You'll see there is no place to mount that stud or screw
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Here's a pic I pulled up from about a year ago. I'm certain I've had this apart more recently but couldn't find a pic. I have this car apart and back together so often sometimes I don't think to take pic's.
As you can see in this photo. Drivers dash is in. Center guage cluster is in. And if you look above my drivers side guages. You'll see there is no place to mount that stud or screw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 8,433
Likes: 392
From: Oklahoma
Im putting my 68 together now....the top dash pad has to go on first because you cant even see the screws to tighten it once the front dash is in...
I jave the top loose and the kick panels in then put the top of the front pad in and push the bottom onto the kick panel....still need 4 hands, a monkey and a football to get it together....took hours with fitting, fighting and fiddling...
I jave the top loose and the kick panels in then put the top of the front pad in and push the bottom onto the kick panel....still need 4 hands, a monkey and a football to get it together....took hours with fitting, fighting and fiddling...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,117
Likes: 9,247
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I had a few trying to balance the dash with one hand movevwires with a second, grab screws with a third snd turn a screwdriver with another. A fifth handcwould have been nice to help push on the dash to get things to align.....but not as many as last night. I havs a POS Canon 8620 printer that wouldnt cooperate with my laptop....many deletes and driver downloads later i gave up. I printed the return label from my phone and a hour later the printer decided it would play nice with the laptop.....i hate technology. Too much magic involved. I would rather it be steam punk where its all gears and wires. I got absolutely nothing done on the dash.
I am thinking of not using any of the top screws to see how loose it is
I am thinking of not using any of the top screws to see how loose it is
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Mine just has that brace about center of the map pocket area. And of course all the screws along the face. Never once has it moved around! It's pretty tightly held on the ends to start with with no screws in it. Maybe that's why the factory dropped those mounting locations above the speedo/tach?
Maybe the assembly line workers told the engineers to shove it!
Maybe the assembly line workers told the engineers to shove it!