Steps for Dashboard removal??

Hey guys,

Im just starting to disassemble my entire 260Z for rust removal and paintwork.  I was going to leave the dasj in, but i may as well take it all out for a proper job.

Could someone let me know the easiest way to take it all out, and even more importantly, how to remember to put it all back together...?

Plus any tips on wiring... How to take it out and remember to put it back.

Thanks for any feedback,

Lars

ahaha I done this like 8 times!!! 3 of which were in one day Dimitri was a great help!!!

If nobody does, I'll write up the steps tomorrow first thing after work.

Kind Regards

3 times!! Sweet... That gives me the confidence now.

If you could, id really apprecitate it

Cheers

Remove the steering wheel and column surrounds.

unplug the wiring cables to the ignition, indicator and headlight stalk. Move them out from around the column and away from anything.

look under the drivers side of the dash, you'll see a large junction of wires and plugs, white, green, black, blue ( i think)

Unplug them and move the wires to the side slightly.

While your there, reach up behind the speedo and feel your way along the cable, there is a circular connector that plugs the cable into the back of the gauge, there is a tab that sticks outwards that locks it in place, press it inwards towards the cable then pull the cable.

There is also a couple of wires running to the relays and door button in the pillar.

Remove the 2 fusebox retaining screws and the relays above it for easier access and visibility.

There is 2 metal support brackets either side of the heater unit, connecting the base of the dash (under the centre console) to the top of the trans tunnel, remove the brackets.

Remove the glove box and place to the side.

Remove the metal strip at the base of the dash, just below the windscreen, 4 small screws. dont loose the screws and be wary of the metal lock tabs as you pull it away.

Dont fret if you do loose them, you can get replacements at any parts store.

Under that panel is 4 (or 6?) 10mm head bolts, they secure the top of the dash to the base of the windscreen cowl.

On either side of the dash visible from underneath the dash (or through the removed glove box) is 2 10mm head bolts that secure the dash to the inside of the A pillars.

The last bolts to remove are 14mm bolts on the underside of the steering column, securing the column to the support bracket, sandwiching the dash in between it.

Once you remove them, the dash will be loose.

Carefully pull it backwards while looking for any cables or things you have missed or snagged, lift it away and pass it out the side of the vehicle, its easier to go out the passenger side.

Im pretty sure thats is.

im sure Bozo will be able to confirm that, or add to it.

Nice one! Thanks alot for that. It might be worth making this a 'sticky' for others later on.

Nice! I found it easier to do the two bottom bolts near the console last when taking it out and first when putting it so I could rock it forward while I did all the wiring stuff.

Unreal!! All done... I reckon that took me about an hour to do!!  Thanks very much for your help.

What are your thoughts with removing the other parts before i sand blast it?  Im assuming ill have to take it all out (including the heater unit, any wiring, pedals, etc...)  Or is there a way i can leave all that gear in and cover it up?

Cheers

Remove the steering wheel and column surrounds.

unplug the wiring cables to the ignition, indicator and headlight stalk. Move them out from around the column and away from anything.

look under the drivers side of the dash, you'll see a large junction of wires and plugs, white, green, black, blue ( i think)

Unplug them and move the wires to the side slightly.

While your there, reach up behind the speedo and feel your way along the cable, there is a circular connector that plugs the cable into the back of the gauge, there is a tab that sticks outwards that locks it in place, press it inwards towards the cable then pull the cable.

There is also a couple of wires running to the relays and door button in the pillar.

Remove the 2 fusebox retaining screws and the relays above it for easier access and visibility.

There is 2 metal support brackets either side of the heater unit, connecting the base of the dash (under the centre console) to the top of the trans tunnel, remove the brackets.

Remove the glove box and place to the side.

Remove the metal strip at the base of the dash, just below the windscreen, 4 small screws. dont loose the screws and be wary of the metal lock tabs as you pull it away.

Dont fret if you do loose them, you can get replacements at any parts store.

Under that panel is 4 (or 6?) 10mm head bolts, they secure the top of the dash to the base of the windscreen cowl.

On either side of the dash visible from underneath the dash (or through the removed glove box) is 2 10mm head bolts that secure the dash to the inside of the A pillars.

The last bolts to remove are 14mm bolts on the underside of the steering column, securing the column to the support bracket, sandwiching the dash in between it.

Once you remove them, the dash will be loose.

Carefully pull it backwards while looking for any cables or things you have missed or snagged, lift it away and pass it out the side of the vehicle, its easier to go out the passenger side.

 

Im pretty sure thats is.

im sure Bozo will be able to confirm that, or add to it.

Yeah this is all about perfect, except I didn't remove the steering wheel when I did it... Seems like it would've helped heaps if I had!  :-\

Unreal!! All done... I reckon that took me about an hour to do!!  Thanks very much for your help.

 

What are your thoughts with removing the other parts before i sand blast it?  Im assuming ill have to take it all out (including the heater unit, any wiring, pedals, etc...)  Or is there a way i can leave all that gear in and cover it up?

 

Cheers

So long as you cover things, it shouldnt be an issue.

I would suggest removing the steering column though, now you have the dash out, its only 4 bolts at the firewall base, the 2 sandwiching the dash in place and a single one on the shaft coupling.

I would probably leave the pedals in place, unless you want to remove the whole brake system (lines and all)

Once you remove the pedal box and booster, you either leave the master cylinder hanging on the lines and risk damage, or remove it and risk getting debris inside the hardlines.

Anything you want to protect during blasting, wrap in an old cloth or towel and use lots of packing tape to hold it in place.

most of the wiring should have come out with the dash, whats left will come out easily enough in one peice

Good man, I'll do that. Thankyou

For the extra few bolts it would take to remove the heater boxes, I would remove them. Nothing worse than having sand end up in there and either ruining the flaps after re-assembly (and use) or having the blow out at you, when you use the heater.

Fair call, consider it done!