A major project, but worth it if you have a poor dash (I did) and lots of work to do behind it. In my case, I wanted to get to the heater, make some adjustments in the steering column and replace some brake lines. Once behind the dash, there are other things you’ll want to tackle, as this is a job most people don’t want to do twice: replace vacuum lines, install new firewall seals and remove the old, crumbly soundproofing. These photos follow the steps outlined in the shop manual.
The last two bolts are up at the brake support, behind the steering column. The dash will be loose. As I pulled it off, I disconnected the defroster vent tubing and the wiring. I am planning to pull and paint the steering column–if you are not, you’ll want to protect it. It’s easy to drop the dash on it and scrape the paint.
The seats come out easily–just four nuts underneath. I have manual seats, so they are relatively light. If you have power seats, I believe it is still just four nuts underneath, but you’ll need to disconnect the wires to the motor.
No, you should not have to remove the chrome on the exterior around the windshield. In my case, removing the dash resulted in a leak at the windshield (requiring removal and reinstalling, which I had done professionally). That leak, though, was probably due to a poor job by the folks that had previously installed a replacement windshield.
Was it hard to remove the front seats?
The seats come out easily–just four nuts underneath. I have manual seats, so they are relatively light. If you have power seats, I believe it is still just four nuts underneath, but you’ll need to disconnect the wires to the motor.
do you have a picture of the plugs where steering column plugs plug in to eachother, my secratary lost the pictures really could use you help
Do you mean the electrical connections where the wires from the column attach to the rest of the harness?
I doing my 64 right now and your pics sure help. Got anymore posted?
Yep. May be some duplicates, but you can check the photos in my Photobucket account here: http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/sseebart/library/1964%20Thunderbird/Dashboard%20replacement
Also, take a look at this thread on the VTCI forum: http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9987&p=58796&hilit=dashboard+questions#p58796
Good luck!
Do you need to remove the chrome on the bottom of the windshield?
No, you should not have to remove the chrome on the exterior around the windshield. In my case, removing the dash resulted in a leak at the windshield (requiring removal and reinstalling, which I had done professionally). That leak, though, was probably due to a poor job by the folks that had previously installed a replacement windshield.
Your picture of the support for the swing away mechanism really helped. I could not remember how that double ended bar went.