Stuck on removing instrument cluster - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

maloryII · 03-21-2009, 09:47 PM

Hey guys, been working on the truck this weekend. I'm trying to remove the instrument cluster, but I can't figure out how to get the headlight and windshield wiper knobs off so I can pull the sucker out??

They don't screw out, the windshield wiper has a tiny screw holding the knob on, but the headlight knob has nothing.

Does it need to be removed from the back of the dashboard? It's very hard to see back there

and I'm not sure where to start.

Help would be appreciated!

**too much stuff** · 03-21-2009, 09:51 PM

Pull the knob out, reach up under the dash and on top of the actual headlight switch will be a small button. Push that down while you are pulling it out. Just remember, your headlights will be on if the battery is still connected.

maloryII · 03-21-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Pull the knob out, reach up under the dash and on top of the actual headlight switch will be a small button. Push that down while you are pulling it out. Just remember, your headlights will be on if the battery is still connected.

Sweet, thanks!!

spinning wheels · 03-21-2009, 09:54 PM

First disconnect your battery!

ihatericeburners · 03-21-2009, 10:09 PM

I was wondering this aswell, thanks.

Longhorn Man · 03-21-2009, 10:15 PM

sometimes it's not as easy and "press the button and pull the knob/shaft out"...
you may end up crying laying on the floor of the truck in the fetal position with your fingers worn down and bleeding screaming "WHY ME GOD.... WHY ME?!?!??!
Usually about that time the wife/girlfriend/3 year old neighbors kid/total strainger will walk up and just pull it out as you press on the button wondering how much longer you can stand to press that stupid spring loaded button.

I hope you get the former description... and not the latter.

And yes, I am scarred forever from laying on the drivers side floor board in the fetal position crying.

sjarrett71 · 03-21-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

sometimes it's not as easy and "press the button and pull the knob/shaft out"...
you may end up crying laying on the floor of the truck in the fetal position with your fingers worn down and bleeding screaming "WHY ME GOD.... WHY ME?!?!??!
Usually about that time the wife/girlfriend/3 year old neighbors kid/total strainger will walk up and just pull it out as you press on the button wondering how much longer you can stand to press that stupid spring loaded button.

I hope you get the former description... and not the latter.

And yes, I am scarred forever from laying on the drivers side floor board in the fetal position crying.

You crack me up

Richard8971 · 03-21-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

sometimes it's not as easy and "press the button and pull the knob/shaft out"...
you may end up crying laying on the floor of the truck in the fetal position with your fingers worn down and bleeding screaming "WHY ME GOD.... WHY ME?!?!??!
Usually about that time the wife/girlfriend/3 year old neighbors kid/total strainger will walk up and just pull it out as you press on the button wondering how much longer you can stand to press that stupid spring loaded button.

I hope you get the former description... and not the latter.

And yes, I am scarred forever from laying on the drivers side floor board in the fetal position crying.

Been there...

D

Longhorn Man · 03-21-2009, 10:54 PM

phew... I was starting to think I was the only one.

my67chevytruck · 03-21-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

phew... I was starting to think I was the only one.

Andy,

you are the only one! Richard said that out of pity!

Longhorn Man · 03-21-2009, 11:58 PM

ouch man... very ouch

**too much stuff** · 03-22-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

phew... I was starting to think I was the only one.

Sorry andy, but i think it is just you...
To clarify, pull the knob all the way out, push the button down, push the knob in a little, and then pull out while still pushing the button down. It is that easy, and andy, this is not the dark side, so no comments. HAHA

texanidiot25 · 03-22-2009, 12:21 AM

Took me like 3 seconds on my 1st try, Senior Andy...

Man up! And, once you remove your cluster just put the headlight switch knob back in and turn off the lights. Keeps it from getting lost and is easier than puling cables and mess.

stockish shawn · 03-22-2009, 12:31 AM

i'm a profesional mechanic and i cant always beat the flat rate just remember the job takes as long as it takes and no longer. curse words make you feel better no matter what the neighbors say

Andy4639 · 03-22-2009, 10:02 AM

Do like I did the first time. Twist that sucker off of the head light stem. I had no idea how it came off but it came off before I quite that day. Long before I ever knew about this place. When I reinstalled it it had a wiper knob on it with the set screw!

ChevLoRay · 03-22-2009, 10:28 AM

Proves there's more than one way to skin a cat than by sticking his head in a boot shuck and yankin' on his tail......

tim21391 · 03-22-2009, 01:09 PM

if u still havent got it on the headlight one on mine you just move the knob to the side and it pulls right out

luvmtrks4366 · 03-22-2009, 05:01 PM

Longhorn Man you got me laughing till I can't see straight, because I know exactly where your comming from.

Hottrucks · 03-22-2009, 05:13 PM

This works too

Drewbee · 01-11-2012, 09:29 PM

I am totally new at this and maybe this is dumb, but I tried taking my instrument panel out today as well to replace the bulbs in them. I took the windshield and headlight knobs off and all the screws. I got it to come off a lil but there is not enough clearance between the top of the dashboard and the steering column. What else is there to do? I wish someone had a picture tutorial that would be awesome!

kcsa75 · 01-11-2012, 10:51 PM

You have to lower the steering column.

Just below the column there is a plate with two screws. Under that is another plate with four bolts, then a loop with two more bolts. This will allow the steering column to drop down enough so that you can get the dash panel out.

You will have to disconnect the speedometer, a wiring plug and the oil pressure line if you have a oil pressure guage.

Good Luck.

Drewbee · 01-12-2012, 12:00 AM

Thanks kcsa,

I just got back from doing that haha. I was determined to figure it out. I need to get some lights in the garage, I didn't see them till I got the flashlight out. It'll get there, I just bought the house and the first room I seem to be working on....is the garage!

1972RedNeck · 01-12-2012, 12:04 AM

Sometimes I am able to re-insert the rod and shut the lights off without latching the rod in.

Ackattack · 01-12-2012, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcsa75

You have to lower the steering column.

Just below the column there is a plate with two screws. Under that is another plate with four bolts, then a loop with two more bolts. This will allow the steering column to drop down enough so that you can get the dash panel out.

You will have to disconnect the speedometer, a wiring plug and the oil pressure line if you have a oil pressure guage.

Good Luck.

Just don't start it without the oil line connected....it will make a mess....guess how I know

PAWS 72 · 01-12-2012, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ackattack

Just don't start it without the oil line connected....it will make a mess....guess how I know

Won't even go there.

03-21-2009, 09:47 PM	#1
maloryII Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 15	Stuck on removing instrument cluster Hey guys, been working on the truck this weekend. I'm trying to remove the instrument cluster, but I can't figure out how to get the headlight and windshield wiper knobs off so I can pull the sucker out?? They don't screw out, the windshield wiper has a tiny screw holding the knob on, but the headlight knob has nothing. Does it need to be removed from the back of the dashboard? It's very hard to see back there and I'm not sure where to start. Help would be appreciated!

03-21-2009, 09:51 PM	#2
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,854	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster Pull the knob out, reach up under the dash and on top of the actual headlight switch will be a small button. Push that down while you are pulling it out. Just remember, your headlights will be on if the battery is still connected. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

03-21-2009, 09:54 PM	#4
spinning wheels Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hacienda Heights, California USA Posts: 474	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster First disconnect your battery! __________________ '72 GMC custom camper 350/350

03-21-2009, 10:09 PM	#5
ihatericeburners Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: new port richey, fl Posts: 118	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster I was wondering this aswell, thanks.

03-21-2009, 10:15 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster sometimes it's not as easy and "press the button and pull the knob/shaft out"... you may end up crying laying on the floor of the truck in the fetal position with your fingers worn down and bleeding screaming "WHY ME GOD.... WHY ME?!?!??! Usually about that time the wife/girlfriend/3 year old neighbors kid/total strainger will walk up and just pull it out as you press on the button wondering how much longer you can stand to press that stupid spring loaded button. I hope you get the former description... and not the latter. And yes, I am scarred forever from laying on the drivers side floor board in the fetal position crying. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 03-21-2009 at 10:18 PM.

03-21-2009, 10:54 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster phew... I was starting to think I was the only one.

03-21-2009, 11:58 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster ouch man... very ouch

03-22-2009, 12:21 AM	#13
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster Took me like 3 seconds on my 1st try, Senior Andy... Man up! And, once you remove your cluster just put the headlight switch knob back in and turn off the lights. Keeps it from getting lost and is easier than puling cables and mess.

03-22-2009, 12:31 AM	#14
stockish shawn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: paso robles ca. Posts: 20	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster i'm a profesional mechanic and i cant always beat the flat rate just remember the job takes as long as it takes and no longer. curse words make you feel better no matter what the neighbors say

03-22-2009, 10:02 AM	#15
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster Do like I did the first time. Twist that sucker off of the head light stem. I had no idea how it came off but it came off before I quite that day. Long before I ever knew about this place. When I reinstalled it it had a wiper knob on it with the set screw! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-22-2009, 10:28 AM	#16
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster Proves there's more than one way to skin a cat than by sticking his head in a boot shuck and yankin' on his tail...... __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

03-22-2009, 01:09 PM	#17
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster if u still havent got it on the headlight one on mine you just move the knob to the side and it pulls right out __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

03-22-2009, 05:01 PM	#18
luvmtrks4366 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beaverton, OR. Posts: 37	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster Longhorn Man you got me laughing till I can't see straight, because I know exactly where your comming from.

03-22-2009, 05:13 PM	#19
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster This works too __________________ 1970 C10 CST fleetside 472 ....big dreams little cash... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335721 SunShine Syndicate.. Mikes Sandwich Fair Run OCT 8th 2011 http://www.thesandwichfair.com/html/...auto_show.html

01-11-2012, 09:29 PM	#20
Drewbee Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 330	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster I am totally new at this and maybe this is dumb, but I tried taking my instrument panel out today as well to replace the bulbs in them. I took the windshield and headlight knobs off and all the screws. I got it to come off a lil but there is not enough clearance between the top of the dashboard and the steering column. What else is there to do? I wish someone had a picture tutorial that would be awesome!



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01-11-2012, 10:51 PM	#21
kcsa75 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3,590	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster You have to lower the steering column. Just below the column there is a plate with two screws. Under that is another plate with four bolts, then a loop with two more bolts. This will allow the steering column to drop down enough so that you can get the dash panel out. You will have to disconnect the speedometer, a wiring plug and the oil pressure line if you have a oil pressure guage. Good Luck. __________________ Willie Swamp Angel Truckers '72 C10 Highlander *People who blindly follow a GPS end up on television programs on The Weather Channel. Some survive, some don't.*

01-12-2012, 12:00 AM	#22
Drewbee Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 330	Re: Stuck on removing instrument cluster Thanks kcsa, I just got back from doing that haha. I was determined to figure it out. I need to get some lights in the garage, I didn't see them till I got the flashlight out. It'll get there, I just bought the house and the first room I seem to be working on....is the garage!

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