dash frame removal

I just removed the dash assy, and left the windshield installed. I took out all the stock underdash stuff (wiper motors, rods, htr. box, column....) and cut off the screws at the nutplates. I'm restoring it, so all that stuff was coming out anyway. Stock, the screws go down through the dash, and the U nut is on the windshield frame flange.

To reinstall. I'm going to install the new nutplates on the dash side, then put a large washer under the screwhead. Putting the screws up through the winshield frame hole, into the dash, with the Unuts on them.

The secret is to trim the length of the screw so that it fully engages the U nut plate, but doenst push the gasket up into the glass.

The original style U nut, is pretty tall. some replacement ones are lower profile. the lower profile ones would probably work better than stock.

Worse case? you'll see the little screw bumps under the windshield gasket.