1969 Center Dash Bezel
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Edgewater Maryland
1969 Center Dash Bezel
I need to change a center dash bezel in a non a/c convertible. A good friend of mine has a 69 bb vert that needs it changed the one that is in there is cracked in 2 places. Any tips or is it just a matter of taking the phillips screws out, radio nuts and the wiper switch up top?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,123
Likes: 4,196
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi bz,
I feel a little different than BB!
I find removing and replacing the center gauge bezel to be one of the most difficult things to do on 68-72 cars.
First getting the radio out of position is a job.
Second there may or may not be 2 nuts on the bottom of those 2 threaded studs on the bottom of the bezel. If they're there, they're difficult to reach. you have to reach up from the lower sides of the shifter console.
Next all the connections on the gauges make it difficult to get the bezel back out of the dash enough to get it up and out. Those studs need to clear the shifter console.
As you know the top of the bezel is very fragile and it's VERY easy to break it while putting it back in.
As you can tell, not my favorite job.
Begin by removing the passenger's side lower dash pad so you have access to the side of the bezel, radio, and gauge cluster. I find remover the lower pad gives better access than removing the upper pad.
Plan on spending the better part of a day.
Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
I feel a little different than BB!
I find removing and replacing the center gauge bezel to be one of the most difficult things to do on 68-72 cars.
First getting the radio out of position is a job.
Second there may or may not be 2 nuts on the bottom of those 2 threaded studs on the bottom of the bezel. If they're there, they're difficult to reach. you have to reach up from the lower sides of the shifter console.
Next all the connections on the gauges make it difficult to get the bezel back out of the dash enough to get it up and out. Those studs need to clear the shifter console.
As you know the top of the bezel is very fragile and it's VERY easy to break it while putting it back in.
As you can tell, not my favorite job.
Begin by removing the passenger's side lower dash pad so you have access to the side of the bezel, radio, and gauge cluster. I find remover the lower pad gives better access than removing the upper pad.
Plan on spending the better part of a day.
Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 19, 2014 at 09:11 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
I need to change a center dash bezel in a non a/c convertible. A good friend of mine has a 69 bb vert that needs it changed the one that is in there is cracked in 2 places. Any tips or is it just a matter of taking the phillips screws out, radio nuts and the wiper switch up top?
Another option would be to pull the E brake cover and slide the console back to access the nuts on the studs. In either case be very careful going back together or you will end up with another broken bezel. The bezel is cast and is very easy to brake especially in the thinner areas of the casting. I have had mine out a couple of times, most recently to put in a new EFI system and LED bulbs a couple of weeks ago. I had the dash pad and pulled the console both times.
Good luck,
Kenneth
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
Hi bz,
I feel a little different than BB!
I find removing and replacing the center gauge bezel to be one of the most difficult things to do on 68-72 cars.
First getting the radio out of position is a job.
Second there may or may not be 2 nuts on the bottom of those 2 threaded studs on the bottom of the bezel. If they're there, they're difficult to reach. you have to reach up from the lower sides of the shifter console.
Next all the connections on the gauges make it difficult to get the bezel back out of the dash enough to get it up and out. Those studs need to clear the shifter console.
As you know the top of the bezel is very fragile and it's VERY easy to break it while putting it back in.
As you can tell, not my favorite job.
Begin by removing the passenger's side lower dash pad so you have access to the side of the bezel, radio, and gauge cluster.
Plan on spending the better part of a day.
Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
I feel a little different than BB!
I find removing and replacing the center gauge bezel to be one of the most difficult things to do on 68-72 cars.
First getting the radio out of position is a job.
Second there may or may not be 2 nuts on the bottom of those 2 threaded studs on the bottom of the bezel. If they're there, they're difficult to reach. you have to reach up from the lower sides of the shifter console.
Next all the connections on the gauges make it difficult to get the bezel back out of the dash enough to get it up and out. Those studs need to clear the shifter console.
As you know the top of the bezel is very fragile and it's VERY easy to break it while putting it back in.
As you can tell, not my favorite job.
Begin by removing the passenger's side lower dash pad so you have access to the side of the bezel, radio, and gauge cluster.
Plan on spending the better part of a day.
Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
Sounds like you have experienced this too. Not a fun job, but if you pull the E Brake cover and take the console loose, it gives you room to slide everything back so you can work, I agree the passenger dash really needs to come out too.
Kenneth
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
This may give you some pointers too... once there, click on supporting document.
Corvette Center Gauge Bezel Install 68-76
Corvette Center Gauge Bezel Install 68-76
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
From: So Cal California
Following all the tips above and you will be alright. One more tip... Wear mechanic gloves or some hand protection. Threading those little nuts onto the studs at the bottom of the bezel to the console will tear up your hands... I use wing nuts and tighten them as much as I can with my fingers. Buy a couple extra wingnuts. You will lose one or two in the process. Good luck...