removing center instrument bezel - 69
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Johnsburg IL
removing center instrument bezel - 69
I found an old bezel to cut and want to install an after market deck. I would appreciate any tips for removing instrument bezel (non-a/c) from my 69. Couple of questions:
- How to remove two nuts on bottom side under the radio? Short of removing heater controls I don't see any easy alternative.
- Do you have to remove the radio first or just the two nuts on the shafts?
Thank you all very much for the help!
- How to remove two nuts on bottom side under the radio? Short of removing heater controls I don't see any easy alternative.
- Do you have to remove the radio first or just the two nuts on the shafts?
Thank you all very much for the help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by colorado1967
I found an old bezel to cut and want to install an after market deck. I would appreciate any tips for removing instrument bezel (non-a/c) from my 69. Couple of questions:
- How to remove two nuts on bottom side under the radio? Short of removing heater controls I don't see any easy alternative.
- Do you have to remove the radio first or just the two nuts on the shafts?
Thank you all very much for the help!
- How to remove two nuts on bottom side under the radio? Short of removing heater controls I don't see any easy alternative.
- Do you have to remove the radio first or just the two nuts on the shafts?
Thank you all very much for the help!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 208
From: Loveland, CO
As I recall, you don't have to remove those 2 nuts completely. Just loosen them enough to slide the console cover out. As stated, with patience, you can get to them with a small wrench from the back side. Of course, the lower side console panel covers need to be removed from both side. Good luck. 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
two nuts..
I found them easy (well, relatively easy) to get to simply by removing the E-brake cover, shifter cover (4 speed) and the heater controls. Mine has A/C, so yours should be even simpler than mine. At that point I use a real small end wrench to loosen them and slide the console back off of them. The console is slotted.
My biggest mistake was leaving the battery hooked up. Cost me a new amp gauge. Bad part is I do this for a living and knew better
Hans
My biggest mistake was leaving the battery hooked up. Cost me a new amp gauge. Bad part is I do this for a living and knew better
Hans
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I'd take my time and untighten the two nuts from studs directly under the radio first. Over time, other people have replaced the two identified nuts with wingnuts for easier on-off. Get these two nuts off, and you will save a lot of work and risk of breaking other parts in the console. Be careful not to stress that bezel and break that. The top is notoriously sensitive to stress and breaking. I hate that job!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I just took mine out last night. I loosened those two nuts and left the radio in the car. Just push it back a little and the center bezel will come forward with a little effort. Be careful though. I had mine out in about 20 minutes. Now going back in takes a lot longer!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Just did this on my 68 coupe a few days ago. No need to remove the emergency brake console or the shift console. (The less you remove the better it is) Remove the two front console extender panels that are on each side of the radio and just reach under each side with a small wrench or 1/4 inch drive socket set to undo the nuts holding the gauge panel. Obviously it will be easier if you remove the radio first. After you remove the two nuts holding the gauges to the console, remove the screws holding the gauge panel to the left and right vinyl dashboard sections and you should be there. My car has A/C and it still was relatively easy if you go slow and don't force anything. Not sure how the windshield wiper switch and related panel is attached on a 69 but on my 68 I had to remove that as well. You can do it,,
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by ksbunting
Just did this on my 68 coupe a few days ago. No need to remove the emergency brake console or the shift console. (The less you remove the better it is) Remove the two front console extender panels that are on each side of the radio and just reach under each side with a small wrench or 1/4 inch drive socket set to undo the nuts holding the gauge panel....
No need to remove the console or the e-brake console. Place a rag over the console to protect it. Take your time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Well, as you can see, there are as many ways to bubba this apart as you can think of! Just be aware that you need to put it all back together and preferrably without scratching or tearing anything. The "minimalist" approaches certainly do get it out a little quicker, but I have found that reassembly can be a real pita with these methods - the more that you take out of the way, the more likely you are to NOT scratch.
That's my 2 cents.....
That's my 2 cents.....
