1986 Dash Removal
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Saginaw Michigan
1986 Dash Removal
Well, I've got my car out of the shed for the year and the first thing I wanted to do was fix my dash and replace my stereo.
A previous owner had replaced the Bose with a non-Bose system. I was trying to get the front dash out because whatever speakers they put in the dash have caused it to sit up off its mounting location.
When I took the screws out of the front and pulled the dash back, it got hung up on, what I assume were the speakers themselves. (The defroster screws are pulled through the dash altogether, I assume from it sitting up too high)
So, has anyone run into this? Should I take the A pillar covers off for more room?
I'm afraid to yank too hard, but I'm probably going to need a new dash pad anyways.
Thanks,
A previous owner had replaced the Bose with a non-Bose system. I was trying to get the front dash out because whatever speakers they put in the dash have caused it to sit up off its mounting location.
When I took the screws out of the front and pulled the dash back, it got hung up on, what I assume were the speakers themselves. (The defroster screws are pulled through the dash altogether, I assume from it sitting up too high)
So, has anyone run into this? Should I take the A pillar covers off for more room?
I'm afraid to yank too hard, but I'm probably going to need a new dash pad anyways.
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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I'll bet that those speakers are hanging up. Just go ahead and bust the thing out of there. It is made out of some kind of dense foam with a vinyl cover. Call Jason at www.vette2vette.com for a good used one. He sent me one a couple of summers ago for under $100.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
For various projects, I've had to take off the dash in my '86 many times. I assume you've taken off all related screws. Move your steering wheel down. Next step is pull the dash back, slightly bend it upwards by putting pressure on both sides. Pull back a little more, underneath you'll see the front speakers and the wires. Disconnect the wires. Now bend them a little more, and just wiggle that sucker out. Check the clearance of the speaker bottoms.
By the way, now is a good time to look down and inside/behind the instrument panel, to check the horn relay, VATS relay, turn signal flasher unit, etc. Also, if you plan on putting in a hidden amplified antenna, this is a good spot. Clean out the vents while you're at it too.
Good luck.
By the way, now is a good time to look down and inside/behind the instrument panel, to check the horn relay, VATS relay, turn signal flasher unit, etc. Also, if you plan on putting in a hidden amplified antenna, this is a good spot. Clean out the vents while you're at it too.
Good luck.
Race Director
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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I was trying to get the front dash out because whatever speakers they put in the dash have caused it to sit up off its mounting location.
When I took the screws out of the front and pulled the dash back, it got hung up on, what I assume were the speakers themselves. (The defroster screws are pulled through the dash altogether, I assume from it sitting up too high)
When I took the screws out of the front and pulled the dash back, it got hung up on, what I assume were the speakers themselves. (The defroster screws are pulled through the dash altogether, I assume from it sitting up too high)
I've had mine out, but don't have speakers hanging under it. I can see where the addition of dash speakers could cause some grief in the pulling up vs. pulling out battle!
gp
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Mar 30, 2007 at 06:18 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Yes, I'm talking about the pad. I hesitated to call it a pad because I see pad / cover's sold that sit over the actual dash.
The speakers are dangling below the dash, they are not the Bose speakers because they worked with the Clarion some previous owner installed.
The dash has never sat down right since I bought the car. Something in the speakers holds it up.
I'll try pulling the whole think out again over Easter weekend. The holes in the front vent are already stripped out and I wanted to replace it anyways, so no big deal if I break it.
Do the speakers normally attach to the underside of the dash? Does someone make replacement front speaker covers?
Thanks as always guys, I appreciate it.
The speakers are dangling below the dash, they are not the Bose speakers because they worked with the Clarion some previous owner installed.
The dash has never sat down right since I bought the car. Something in the speakers holds it up.
I'll try pulling the whole think out again over Easter weekend. The holes in the front vent are already stripped out and I wanted to replace it anyways, so no big deal if I break it.
Do the speakers normally attach to the underside of the dash? Does someone make replacement front speaker covers?
Thanks as always guys, I appreciate it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 138
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From: 86 Convertible 4+3 Coronado, CA
Might not be the speakers that are holding your dash up in the front. On my '86, there are four metal spring tabs, two in front of each speaker. They slide into slots at the base of the windshield. They're screwed into the dash pad.
If these tabs are bent, they'll slide up and over the dash, causing it to sit high. Grease them up, bend them parallel to the underside of the dash pad, and eyeball them as you fit them into the slots. Have someone watch from the front as you apply gentle pressure on the top...they can tell you when the tabs are in the slot.
Speakers attach from the underside. As for the covers, you may be able to replace the fabric. Others have simply dyed them black to match the dash.
Another item to take care of while you've got the dash pad out: clean the windshield...your hand fits into all the corners you can't reach with the dash pad in place!
If these tabs are bent, they'll slide up and over the dash, causing it to sit high. Grease them up, bend them parallel to the underside of the dash pad, and eyeball them as you fit them into the slots. Have someone watch from the front as you apply gentle pressure on the top...they can tell you when the tabs are in the slot.
Speakers attach from the underside. As for the covers, you may be able to replace the fabric. Others have simply dyed them black to match the dash.
Another item to take care of while you've got the dash pad out: clean the windshield...your hand fits into all the corners you can't reach with the dash pad in place!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Might not be the speakers that are holding your dash up in the front. On my '86, there are four metal spring tabs, two in front of each speaker. They slide into slots at the base of the windshield. They're screwed into the dash pad.
If these tabs are bent, they'll slide up and over the dash, causing it to sit high. Grease them up, bend them parallel to the underside of the dash pad, and eyeball them as you fit them into the slots. Have someone watch from the front as you apply gentle pressure on the top...they can tell you when the tabs are in the slot.
Speakers attach from the underside. As for the covers, you may be able to replace the fabric. Others have simply dyed them black to match the dash.
Another item to take care of while you've got the dash pad out: clean the windshield...your hand fits into all the corners you can't reach with the dash pad in place!
If these tabs are bent, they'll slide up and over the dash, causing it to sit high. Grease them up, bend them parallel to the underside of the dash pad, and eyeball them as you fit them into the slots. Have someone watch from the front as you apply gentle pressure on the top...they can tell you when the tabs are in the slot.
Speakers attach from the underside. As for the covers, you may be able to replace the fabric. Others have simply dyed them black to match the dash.
Another item to take care of while you've got the dash pad out: clean the windshield...your hand fits into all the corners you can't reach with the dash pad in place!
QFT!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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I was told the dash speaker holes were only "populated" for the base radio. I'm not sure if that means AM, single speaker only -- because that's what I was told. I know that Bose systems do not use these locations.
To load and use the dash locations, I've pulled the fabric off the solid, factory covers. I cutout the stamped opening and will recover with new fabric. You may need to recover as I am.
I don't have my speakers in yet, but I can see how getting the pad in/out with them attached will make the dash pad r/r MUCH,MUCH, more difficult!!!!!!
gp
Note, there may be more info in the sound system forum.....
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 56
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From: Saginaw Michigan
I got it out! I just had to pick up my skirt and do it. Thanks for the advice, I tried to get the old speakers out of the old dash but they are glued in with silicon or something. Is that common?
Its really not in too bad of shape, I might try to clean it up.
None the less, what speakers did you guys put in your dash and how did it fit and look?
Its really not in too bad of shape, I might try to clean it up.
None the less, what speakers did you guys put in your dash and how did it fit and look?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 780
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From: New Port Richey Florida
