68 Dash Installation
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
68 Dash Installation
I gutted my interior a year ago and took no notes while taking everything out ! Now its time to re-assemble. I'm not sure where to start......The heater box & wiring harness are about all that is in right now. So what order should things go in ? steering column,ac ducts,speedo/tach,center cluster,dash pad etc !!!!
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,890
Likes: 4,073
From: US-PNW
I've had the dash apart in my '72 to address various items, so have recent experience in this. This is from memory so I might have missed an item or step:
- Steering column first but not fully bolted to the dash structure; allow it to hang just a bit.
- Then make the speedo, tach, headlight switch, etc. connections for the driver dash. The ability to reach in from the top, bottom and sides is very much a positive. The steering column is used for supporting the driver dash.
- Next install the upper dash pad making sure the clips at the windshield side fit onto the structure's lip. Secure all screws for the dash pad.
- Make sure the left dash speaker and wiper switch wires are brought to center for later connection. Also ensure the gauge, radio, and lamp connectors and oil pressure line are at the trans hump.
- Next install the ducting for the A/C system.
- Connect the gauge & radio wires, oil line, and light bulbs to the center cluster. Work from the driver's side toward passenger side. (The back of the cluster has debossed wording to tell you what light bulb socket goes where.) Loosely position the gauge/radio assembly with the bottom studs into the shift console bracket and the top screw into the dash pad. (You should only have the wiper switch left.)
- Install the radio's convector unit on the lower windshield structure; make the convector and right speaker connections to the radio.
- Raise the steering column, adjust the driver dash into position, and secure it to the door post and across the dash.
- Secure the center gauge assembly to the driver's dash and upper dash; snug the lower stud nuts into place.
- Connect the wiper switch and secure its housing to the main assembly.
- Install the passenger dash, A-pillar trim (that most likely had to be removed to get the upper dash out), and finally the courtesy lights.
- I think that's it!
- Good luck!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,034
Likes: 9,156
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
68 is going to be slightly different with the dash ignition
I just redid my 68 dash and I found its best if you have the column out until everything is done because you will need the room. Reference the AIM as best you can, it isnt that good but helps.
I would install dynamat or your insulation of choice before you go any further
I just redid my 68 dash and I found its best if you have the column out until everything is done because you will need the room. Reference the AIM as best you can, it isnt that good but helps.
I would install dynamat or your insulation of choice before you go any further
- make sure the column support and all the pedals are installed.
- install the upper dash pad
- install the hood release
- install the speedo cable and tach cable
- \run th evacuum lines for the headlight switch and wipers. they can hang loose just have to be through the firewall to start
- install the carpet and any sound and heat insulation if you didnt before you put in th ehearter system. IF you havent reove that stuff and put in dynamat or something
- install the fuse block
- unroll the harness and lay it out so you can see all the grounds and identify what all the plugs go to
- install the vent tube so you can see where the harness needs to go
- run the harness up past the vent tube , above the hood release and across the dash.
- Zip tie the harness loosely to hold in on the column support
- run the harness to the center column and let the harness go to the passenger door and heater
- install the bare dash pad only so you can see the lugs and if they will reach the switches and gauges
- remove the dash pad
- install all the grounds that attach to the dash frame/ birdcage
- install the switches and gauges in the dash pad, insure the ground strap between the tach and speedo is installed and the headlight switch to speedo is installed, the wiper solenoid is on the tach and the vacuum and wiper overrides are installed. install the trip reset
- install the headlight switch and ground plug and vacuum lines, install the light bulb plugs for the gauges
- install the dash pad and install the attachment screws. you will have to make sure the harness clears the tach and speedo gauges. this is long and frustrating
- reach in from the side and install the ignition switch plug and light bulbs
- install the parking brake assembly and console
- plug in the lights, the grounds, the wiper relay and the directional relay
- install the center shift console along with the environmental controls, control lines and the shifter, and the Fiber optic and heater plugs
- cover the center console with a thick towel
- lay the center gauge panel on the towel and install the plugs and then the radio
- install the center gauge into the upper dash and attach the wiper switch and plugs
- screw in the side to the drivers dash pad and screw in the upper dash pad screws. the upper screws will have to be removed again to help get in the passenger dash pad along with the upper dash pad screws
- plug in the remaining plugs if you havent already during the running of the environemtal control lines
- to install the passenger dash pad I remove all the upper screws so the upper pad can move. I put the pad on top of the kick panels but if they arent installed install them last as it makes gettting the passenger pad eastier
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,034
Likes: 9,156
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Good luck. Be careful of the half moon that sits above the steering columnn, It can crack under its own weight if you sit it on the column and start moving it around to get behind it to attach plugs and such....I destroyed mine and had to replace it
And note the locations where the screws for the dash pads go up into the upper dash pad and where the center console screws into the side of the pads. If they arent lining up , dont force them, or make new holes, figure out why its like that.
And note the locations where the screws for the dash pads go up into the upper dash pad and where the center console screws into the side of the pads. If they arent lining up , dont force them, or make new holes, figure out why its like that.
