dash bulb replacement on a 77
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: wharton tx
dash bulb replacement on a 77
what's the quickest and easiest way to change the bulb on my tach in the dash on my77? from underneath or taking the whole front part of the dash apart i hear 2 versions?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
taking the dash off is easier for me but im also 6'2 and 250lbs, if your small and skinny and tight spaces arent an issue attack from beneath, otherwise Id just pull the dash off, either way its a total pain in the butt. good luck
-alex
-alex
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: wharton tx
Originally Posted by 1fastC3
taking the dash off is easier for me but im also 6'2 and 250lbs, if your small and skinny and tight spaces arent an issue attack from beneath, otherwise Id just pull the dash off, either way its a total pain in the butt. good luck
-alex
-alex
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Boise Idaho
If your replacing one bulb and its low on the unit you may get away with underneath. But if your replacing several or all, it may be easier (marginally) to take off the dash cap for the top bulbs. Those bulbs are a PITA.
Also when putting the thing back into place a few of the bulbs popped back out of the housing when bumbed by other wire bundles.
Getting good lighting up under the dash is key as its hard to tell the differant bulb wires (lighting bulb, turn signal bulbs, etc) apart in the dark.
Try from below first and see if that works as you will probably have to take that apart anyway.
Also when putting the thing back into place a few of the bulbs popped back out of the housing when bumbed by other wire bundles.
Getting good lighting up under the dash is key as its hard to tell the differant bulb wires (lighting bulb, turn signal bulbs, etc) apart in the dark.
Try from below first and see if that works as you will probably have to take that apart anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
I have tried to get at mine without dropping the front panel and there just no way to your hands up in there. It is very, very tight up in there with a kazillion wires everywhere and you have to be a freakin contorsionist to even try. I need to replace a top bulb on my speedo and I am going to drop the front panel just like the GM service manual says that you have to. While it's down I am going to replace all of the bulbs, the headlight switch, speedometer cable, trip odometer reset cable, and all the vacuum lines under there for the headlights and cruise control. This is a pain in the butt job and I only want to do it once hopefully.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I agree with all of the above.It is very tight but usually you just need a "little bit" more room..Here is the way I do it and it sounds like alot but not really.I remove the panel below the steering column and then the 2- 9/16 bolts holding the column up.I get my speed screwdriver out and remove all the dash screws-door to door.(if you want to leave the ones inside the right door opening thats ok but loosen them)This allows enough flex from the entire dash (a little from everywhere)for me to get my hand in and replace the bulbs.I might have left a few things out that you can "just" loosen but I think youll get the picture.On your 77 your center dash cluster wraps around the right and left frt dash pads but I have one in the shop now and it worked fine for me.I usually have a sore back afterwards but thats just part of getting old.
