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I tore apart my dash, all of it, to repair the non working AC controller which led to a new door actuator cable controller which led to new Tach and speedo and snowballed to hell from there... Anyway, I got the dashpad installed and all new Dakota digital speedo tach and gauges but I'm left wondering which piece goes on first ? Do I install the drivers side dash (speedo/tach) then middle then passender side or ??? Thanks in advance for the help, I'll post pics as soon as its installed. BTW, the passenger side is not installed, this pic was taken a week ago.
Last edited by Stingre'; Dec 7, 2018 at 09:36 PM.
Reason: adding
that is, unless you like pain. Left, center, right. The left side is the biggest PITA to install- wiring harness has to be in the correct spot, speedo cable, odometer reset cable, vacuum lines for the headlights and the tach cable if you have one.
Most of that has been eliminated, just need to move the main wiring harness aside. The tach speedo crap is gone and reset is done, BUT thanks, I think I'll go with drivers side and work my way over
I agree to start at the drivers side and work your way over but I leave the screws a bit lose and tighten everything down once it's all in position. Leaves a bit of room for adjustment when things get tight or don't quite fit.
I agree to start at the drivers side and work your way over but I leave the screws a bit lose and tighten everything down once it's all in position. Leaves a bit of room for adjustment when things get tight or don't quite fit.
yeah, good point... I have 3 center gauge clusters, 1 brand new, 1 new but delivered broken and the original broken but repaired with JB weld and its actually holding together... These things are as fragile as potato chips so leaving everything loose and slowly tightening should help me out.
I have removed my dash multiple times in 30+ years. The last time I removed the steering column. I recommend it. It will keep you from damaging the dash parts and it is really quite easy and well worth the minor trouble to remove.
While everything is still apart, now is the time to make some mod's to make it easier to reattach the gauge cluster to the center console. Here is my approach to the problem. The allen bolts are a lot easier to access and get finger tight when putting the two back together.
While everything is still apart, now is the time to make some mod's to make it easier to reattach the gauge cluster to the center console. Here is my approach to the problem. The allen bolts are a lot easier to access and get finger tight when putting the two back together.
Im all in on stuff like this!! These are the things I love about this forum I just found another thread mentioning that same setup but now I know how to make it work. Awesome thanks. I mentioned this before but I had no intention of liking this car, it was just something to work on and keep my mind busy but I really like this car now. I guess the amount of time I invested and things I've learned along the way has really helped me appreciate this turd... that or the ridiculous lack of sleep and stupid amount of overtime I work...
I have removed my dash multiple times in 30+ years. The last time I removed the steering column. I recommend it. It will keep you from damaging the dash parts and it is really quite easy and well worth the minor trouble to remove.
there's a guy in San Diego that rebuilds steering columns, couple hours away, and I've been contemplating having mine rebuilt while I'm doing all this. Mine works fine but a rebuild wouldn't hurt.
ok, lil help needed
that is, unless you like pain. Left, center, right. The left side is the biggest PITA to install- wiring harness has to be in the correct spot, speedo cable, odometer reset cable, vacuum lines for the headlights and the tach cable if you have one.
I just found another thread mentioning that same setup but now I know how to make it work. Awesome thanks. I mentioned this before but I had no intention of liking this car, it was just something to work on and keep my mind busy but I really like this car now. I guess the amount of time I invested and things I've learned along the way has really helped me appreciate this turd... that or the ridiculous lack of sleep and stupid amount of overtime I work...