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I’ve poured over dozens of LH dash install threads and realize everyone has a bear of a time getting this thing in. I’m in the same boat and had to call it for the day. My lower back is screaming and needs liquid medicine!! I’m hoping to get some tips from anyone about what I think is going on. Right now the entire interior is out, upper dash is on loose and steering column removed.
I have a 69 convertible so it has the brace rods. Two from A pillar to column on left and one on right from column to upper dash brace. Looking back at pictures during disassembly the old dash harness came in from left of the column under the two braces to LH dash, over steering column and under the right hand brace. Speedometer cable came in on the left over the two braces and tach came in on the right side of the right brace. When I try to install the new harness and dash it is hitting everything. First the left side: the dash harness runs along the center of the speedo and tach on 69 cars. When I tried installing it with the dash harness going under the two left hand braces it was getting pinched and interfering with the braces so I couldn’t get it in. Should the dash harness come up through the top brace with the speedometer cable, through middle or under both braces??
Also I think the tach and speedo cables are not pushing back with the dash and hurting my chances of getting it in. Has anyone left them disconnected and after the LH dash is in go in from underneath and then attach them??
Here’s a picture of the braces in a 69 convertible for reference.
Grim. I broke down and handed over cash. It was all goobledegook . The center was 'easy'.
Good luck. Sorry I can't be more helpful. You are confident that you have the correct harness.
Funny after I was done cursing today while attempting it again I said to myself if I knew it would be this much of a pain in the *** to get the LH dash installed I would gladly pay someone to put it in!!
Harness is correct for the 69. Has the long wiring up to the headlight switch. I’m just trying to find a position for the harness that doesn’t pop out the bulbs or pinch on the braces and let me reinstall the column. Right now I’m not even getting close. It keeps hitting everything! I ended up pulling the sheathing off the speedo cable today so now had to order a new one and wait for that to arrive.
Thanks Fred. I’ve actually read this thread this week helping OT get some insight. I even sent the OP a private message hoping he could share some insight on when he finally got it in but he hasn’t been on here in almost 2 years so I’m not sure if he’ll get the message.
I don’t mind a challenge but this thing is tearing my back apart trying to hold it and push it in with it not even coming close to getting in!! I know it will fit, it’s just finding the right angle and somehow getting all the wires lined up correctly to get it in there. I wish I could install those braces on the column after the dash was in, at least that would give me some more room!
Just an FYI concerning this comment: "....I’m just trying to find a position for the harness that doesn’t pop out the bulbs...... "
Ages ago I extended,and added connectors, to the leads going to the driver side dash. It was 2 connectors. One for the stuff on the speedo side and one for the stuff on tach side. By adding extension leads it allowed me to plug everything in (and not stress things or pull bulbs out), even test operation, and thereafter tuck it all in. I eventually went to LED strip lighting for the dash lights, but the turn signals, and a couple of other lamps are still on the extension connectors. Something to consider since you're asking for ideas.
Last edited by carriljc; Feb 28, 2020 at 11:55 PM.
You may or may not have these links, what stands out to me is Alan71's post ( the W thing ), the DIY says having the steering column removed is a benefit and of course Willcox instructions.
"Sometime in 1970 they changed the way the main wire harness routes around the main instrument cluster. On 68, 69 and 1970 early? the main wire harness comes out of the fuse box, along the top of the dash, down under the tachometer and speedometer, then over to the center cluster. When they installed the steering column, it pushed the harness in-between the tach and speedo, kind of in a "W" fashion".
Might that help you? Regards, Alan
I would gladly send you the 71 AIM page I have but it shows the harness running above the speedo and tach.
I’ve definitely been considering clipping the bulb wires and extending them with molex connectors. May definitely help me zip tie the wires and route them out of the way of the harness. Also heating the wire harness is going to be a must I think. The new harness is so stiff its almost impossible to get it to bend up at the column area and back down. I’ll heat it and try to pre-bend it at the middle for that ‘hump’.
Bill you may get yours in before me the way this is going!! If you do give me any tips that helped you!! I’m going to zip tie and tuck all other wires I have back there and make sure they are tucked up out of the way.
I’ll be so happy when this LH piece gets locked in!!! I see why they changed the design in 1970....even the line workers must have bitched up a storm about this thing.
Keep the help coming, I appreciate all ideas and tips.
I’ve definitely been considering clipping the bulb wires and extending them with molex connectors. May definitely help me zip tie the wires and route them out of the way of the harness. Also heating the wire harness is going to be a must I think. The new harness is so stiff its almost impossible to get it to bend up at the column area and back down. I’ll heat it and try to pre-bend it at the middle for that ‘hump’.
Bill you may get yours in before me the way this is going!! If you do give me any tips that helped you!! I’m going to zip tie and tuck all other wires I have back there and make sure they are tucked up out of the way.
I’ll be so happy when this LH piece gets locked in!!! I see why they changed the design in 1970....even the line workers must have bitched up a storm about this thing.
Keep the help coming, I appreciate all ideas and tips.
Pat
I actually thought for a moment if you have a heating pad wrap it around the wire harness where you need the bend/flex and set it on low for a bit, can't hurt.
Don't tell the wife.
Just wanted to thank everyone who replied with tips on how to get the LH dash panel in. I appreciate it. Success as I’ve finally gotten in all in! I’ll give some tips on how I finally got it in.
i walked away from it for a few days to relax and heal my back. The main problem I found is the new wiring harness is too stiff and doesn’t flow or bend easily at all. To work around this I first removed the bottom three lights from both the tach and speedo, both grounds, removed the tach and speedo cables and also removed the two braces on the left hand side from A pillar to the steering column. Now this wasn’t easier by any means but it did allow me to move and crush the wiring harness without hitting obstacles or popping out the bulbs.
Next I used a heating pad and wrapped it around the dash harness in between the bulb wiring for the speedo and the tach (where it goes over the steering column). Removed the heating pad after a few minutes and made a sharp upside down ‘v’ in the harness and it stayed in that form. Now because the 68 and 69 harness doesn’t go over the instruments but instead passes almost through the middle of them, you really need the room with the cables removed and even the bottom lights. From there I started getting the dash to fit in. It’s hard because you need like four hands. Push the dash up and try to maneuver the harness behind it. When it finally lines up the dash just ‘pops’ into place!
Now I install the far right screw up by the dash. Again very hard by yourself holding everything up. Once you get that screw lined up and installed the weight is off your hands. Now go back underneath and make sure the 6 bulb wires (3 for speedo and 3 for tach) are hanging down and not caught up over the instruments (attached the whole dash the first time and found the speedo bulb hidden up above the speedo!) and also both grounds and bulb for floor. If they are all good go back up and push the left side of the dash in and loosely attach the outside silver top screw. You may again have to wiggle the dash harness underneath to make it fit. Now I install the lower outside silver screw. You can push in and hold with your foot to free up two hands to screw it in. Once that’s in just attach the last two upper screws working right to left and line up the upper dash.
The fun part begins now. You have to lie on your back again and attach all the lower wires you removed earlier. The bulbs by the steering column are really a tight space. Also you can grab the dash harness on either side of the instruments and push/pull it so it comes over to make the wires on the speedo side reach everything. Now you can see the crazy beds this harness makes and why it was hitting everything. After all the wires are in you just need to put the two braces back on. You will tear up your hands and I think I sprained my wrist doing all this!!!
If I never take that thing off again it will be too soon!! Thanks again everyone for the help. It’s one of those things you know will fit but it looks impossible when your starting out.
Just wanted to thank everyone who replied with tips on how to get the LH dash panel in. I appreciate it. Success as I’ve finally gotten in all in! I’ll give some tips on how I finally got it in.
i walked away from it for a few days to relax and heal my back. The main problem I found is the new wiring harness is too stiff and doesn’t flow or bend easily at all. To work around this I first removed the bottom three lights from both the tach and speedo, both grounds, removed the tach and speedo cables and also removed the two braces on the left hand side from A pillar to the steering column. Now this wasn’t easier by any means but it did allow me to move and crush the wiring harness without hitting obstacles or popping out the bulbs.
Next I used a heating pad and wrapped it around the dash harness in between the bulb wiring for the speedo and the tach (where it goes over the steering column). Removed the heating pad after a few minutes and made a sharp upside down ‘v’ in the harness and it stayed in that form. Now because the 68 and 69 harness doesn’t go over the instruments but instead passes almost through the middle of them, you really need the room with the cables removed and even the bottom lights. From there I started getting the dash to fit in. It’s hard because you need like four hands. Push the dash up and try to maneuver the harness behind it. When it finally lines up the dash just ‘pops’ into place!
Now I install the far right screw up by the dash. Again very hard by yourself holding everything up. Once you get that screw lined up and installed the weight is off your hands. Now go back underneath and make sure the 6 bulb wires (3 for speedo and 3 for tach) are hanging down and not caught up over the instruments (attached the whole dash the first time and found the speedo bulb hidden up above the speedo!) and also both grounds and bulb for floor. If they are all good go back up and push the left side of the dash in and loosely attach the outside silver top screw. You may again have to wiggle the dash harness underneath to make it fit. Now I install the lower outside silver screw. You can push in and hold with your foot to free up two hands to screw it in. Once that’s in just attach the last two upper screws working right to left and line up the upper dash.
The fun part begins now. You have to lie on your back again and attach all the lower wires you removed earlier. The bulbs by the steering column are really a tight space. Also you can grab the dash harness on either side of the instruments and push/pull it so it comes over to make the wires on the speedo side reach everything. Now you can see the crazy beds this harness makes and why it was hitting everything. After all the wires are in you just need to put the two braces back on. You will tear up your hands and I think I sprained my wrist doing all this!!!
If I never take that thing off again it will be too soon!! Thanks again everyone for the help. It’s one of those things you know will fit but it looks impossible when your starting out.
Problems on 69 convertible LH dash
