69 barracuda dash to firewall bolts

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CudaGuy383

CudaGuy383

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This car has been totally rebuilt and during that rebuild, I made the mistake of having my windshield installed prior to attaching the dash to the firewall. I now must have the windshield removed and put 5 bolts thru the dash and into the firewall. Since I will be doing this at an auto glass shop, I need to know what size those bolts are so I do not delay their business. Would anyone know what they are and what kind? I.E., 7/16ths threaded coarse or maybe sheet metal screws. I'm the one who disassembled this car but it's been to long, I can't remember.
 
You should be able to put U nuts on dash frame and run bolts up through the body. I never did it like that but its been suggested as an alternate way in many threads.
 
You can skip all that, just reverse the U-clips and install the bolts from the bottom. As long as the bolts aren’t extra long it’s fine, and then you don’t have to remove the windshield to remove the dash frame. They’re under the windshield rubber, so you can’t see what direction they run with everything installed.
 
All this talk of reversing the clips....I would love to see pics/video. I looked at doing that on our 67 cuda.... talk about a clusterf**k. Mind you I have buckets/console/ac/radio...etc etc.
They are screws and very small.
If you completely stripped ANY vehicle. You best get both parts and service manuals.
Good luck
 
4spdragtop said:
All this talk of reversing the clips....I would love to see pics/video. I looked at doing that on our 67 cuda.... talk about a clusterf**k. Mind you I have buckets/console/ac/radio...etc etc.
They are screws and very small.
If you completely stripped ANY vehicle. You best get both parts and service manuals.
Good luck
Click to expand...

Yeah but are you really going to try and pull the dash frame with all that stuff installed? I’m not.

The OP’s car is stripped, this is really just a question of do you want to pull the already installed windshield and have to reset it again, or can you pick your car up the way it is, just flip the U clips and install the dash frame from the bottom while laying on the floor.

I didn’t pull my dash frame when I pulled my heater box and restored it, there’s no reason that stuff can’t be installed after the dash frame is installed
 
As I said, I would appreciate pics or a video. Trust me, been there done that. What if screw goes up and pops the glass? Angle of screw going upward was a pile of bs. Lol, **** happens.
72bluNblu said:
Yeah but are you really going to try and pull the dash frame with all that stuff installed? I’m not.

The OP’s car is stripped, this is really just a question of do you want to pull the already installed windshield and have to reset it again, or can you pick your car up the way it is, just flip the U clips and install the dash frame from the bottom while laying on the floor.

I didn’t pull my dash frame when I pulled my heater box and restored it, there’s no reason that stuff can’t be installed after the dash frame is installed
Click to expand...
 
OP, they are like a #8 or something like that. Do what you want, the cars at glass shop, I know what I would do.
 
Not much help, but pics of screw.... they are pointed like a body screw.

20220830_214938.jpg


20220830_215118.jpg
 
4spdragtop said:
As I said, I would appreciate pics or a video. Trust me, been there done that. What if screw goes up and pops the glass? Angle of screw going upward was a pile of bs. Lol, **** happens.
Click to expand...

Of what? I'm not going to strip my car bare just to take a video of running the dash frame screws in. There are quite a few members here that have done this successfully.

As far as "popping the glass" you'd need a screw that was several times too long in order to accomplish that.
 
Jesus Christ did I ask you specifically? Or did you give the op an answer to his question?
Lol, several times too long, don't take much to break glass...
Smh
72bluNblu said:
Of what? I'm not going to strip my car bare just to take a video of running the dash frame screws in. There are quite a few members here that have done this successfully.

As far as "popping the glass" you'd need a screw that was several times too long in order to accomplish that.
Click to expand...
 
I was with @clementine on Saturday at his place and took this picture.
Went over to meet and see his project. He was in the process of installing the clips for the windshield trim.
I snapped this picture. This is exactly how I was planning to install my dash. I was actually trying to get a good picture of the trim being test fit but did catch a couple of the U-clips for the Dash...
1708371371879.png

Same picture but zoomed in on 1 u-clip. The machine screw does not extend above the top of the threads.
Maybe @clementine will add a picture of the same with the windshield installed.
1708371874159.png


We have options.
 
I definitely would not remove the windshield, or take it to a shop to do this.
I've played around with a couple different screw/clip styles, combinations. I have a pretty good assortment.
No pictures of mine and my dash is at currently my painter's shop. I'll probably have my dash in and out a couple times before I install the windshield.
My 2¢ fwiw

*Edit* I guess I should add that I'm talking about my 69 Barracuda Fastback.
 
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4spdragtop said:
Jesus Christ did I ask you specifically? Or did you give the op an answer to his question?
Lol, several times too long, don't take much to break glass...
Smh
Click to expand...
Well you quoted me directly, so yeah, you kinda did ask me specifically.

There's lots of places on these cars where installing the wrong length bolt can cause you real problems. Like one of the timing cover bolts that can damage the cylinder wall? Use the right length bolt and there's no issue.

'Cuda_ragtop said:
I was with @clementine on Saturday at his place and took this picture.
Went over to meet and see his project. He was in the process of installing the clips for the windshield trim.
I snapped this picture. This is exactly how I was planning to install my dash. I was actually trying to get a good picture of the trim being test fit but did catch a couple of the U-clips for the Dash...
View attachment 1716209319
Same picture but zoomed in on 1 u-clip. The machine screw does not extend above the top of the threads.
Maybe @clementine will add a picture of the same with the windshield installed.
View attachment 1716209324

We have options.
Click to expand...

Nice! Like I said, there's definitely more than a few people that have done this successfully. Options!

And all of that will still be covered by the windshield rubber. You could use a different style clip though and eliminate that threaded bit sticking up, like this kind
Screenshot 2024-02-19 at 1.36.27 PM.png


instead of this kind

Screenshot 2024-02-19 at 1.36.37 PM.png


You'd only need to have a few threads above the clip, it's not like it's a critical, highly stressed part.
 
Forever ppl have put U Bolts on dash ran bolts up from the bottom this isn't some new idea. Worried about bolt going up a few inches cracking glass. Never heard anyone post up hey I done broke my glass with dash bolt. I guess if bolt is 2 or 3 inches long yeah that could happen.
 
Forever?? Got size of bolt/screw handy for OP?
340sFastback said:
Forever ppl have put U Bolts on dash ran bolts up from the bottom this isn't some new idea. Worried about bolt going up a few inches cracking glass. Never heard anyone post up hey I done broke my glass with dash bolt. I guess if bolt is 2 or 3 inches long yeah that could happen.
Click to expand...
 
I was thinking 1/4-20 bolts. The threaded neck of the 'U' nuts wasn't much taller than the head of the bolt. I decided so long as the bolt doesn't come out of the neck, all good. Yeah the heat case and the left fresh air think need to be removed. So if you find you need about 5/8 bolt length, whittle down the 3/4 length rather than search the world over for exact.
The only fastener in a slotted hole is the firewall side of that left vent.
 
I can't remember length, but i think it is 3/4 or less.

I had to "massage" a bulge in the metal to fit the driver side.

I omitted putting one in the hole directly above the steering column as it had too many swear words involved.

Dunno if it will ever help, but it might be handy to be able to drop column and access back of dash. Fairly minimal effort, especially compared to some of the other mountains climbed to make things work on this machine.
 
I have my dash rolled back right now so I could change my front speaker and also access the factory tach to send it in to be updated with the modern technology. My windshield is currently out so it is a lot easier for me to work on. Here are a few pictures of the bolts (there are 5 of them) and the clips that they screw into and yes they are 1/4-20 bolts you use a 3/8" socket to remove and install. I hope these help you.
Bob

IMG_4152.JPG


IMG_4153.JPG


IMG_4154.JPG


IMG_4157.JPG
 
68 CUDA FORMULA S said:
I have my dash rolled back right now so I could change my front speaker and also access the factory tach to send it in to be updated with the modern technology. My windshield is currently out so it is a lot easier for me to work on. Here are a few pictures of the bolts (there are 5 of them) and the clips that they screw into and yes they are 1/4-20 bolts you use a 3/8" socket to remove and install. I hope these help you.
Bob

View attachment 1716209972

View attachment 1716209973

View attachment 1716209974

View attachment 1716209975
Click to expand...

Nice! Thanks for adding the thread size!

How long are those bolts?
 
340sFastback said:
I wonder if put in from the bottom would they hit and break the windshield? Cause someone else said that might happen?
Click to expand...

Given that there’s more than 3/4” between that location and the windshield I kinda doubt it. The ideal length is about 5/8? So knock the pointy end off the stock bolts and you’re there.

Or buy the other style clips without the raised threaded section and maybe you can get away with a 1/2” long bolt, which should be standard at the hardware store. Just like the U-clips without the tall threaded section…
 
they are under the rubber there. I used 5/8 or 3/4 with the nut/clip sticking up. Can't tell... but... maybe... after a couple of heat cycles in the sun they might show if that rubber flap relaxes??

17084785848501909245541.jpg


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170847880654421556865.jpg
 
68 CUDA FORMULA S said:
I have my dash rolled back right now so I could change my front speaker and also access the factory tach to send it in to be updated with the modern technology. My windshield is currently out so it is a lot easier for me to work on. Here are a few pictures of the bolts (there are 5 of them) and the clips that they screw into and yes they are 1/4-20 bolts you use a 3/8" socket to remove and install. I hope these help you.
Bob

View attachment 1716209972

View attachment 1716209973

View attachment 1716209974

View attachment 1716209975
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. This is exactly what I needed to know. Appreciate it.
 
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