72 Dart Swinger dash refurbish

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66chargerguy

66chargerguy

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New member here and am redoing the dash on the Dart. Got the vinyl overlays from Detroit Muscle and wanted to take the plastic gauge surround off to work on. Removed the six sheet metal screws and thought it would lift right out—guess again. Is it attached from the back? If so, how do you access the fasteners? Do the wiper and headlight knobs/switches need to be removed? If so, how? I have worked on cars since the 70’s but always avoided dashboards for being too complicated. I sure woild appreciate some help with this.
Thanks in advance,
Craig

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You have to remove the speedometer cable connection. 72 should have a clip on the cable housing to remove the cable.
Unplug the wiper switch and the headlamp switch. Also the gang plug for the lights/oil/brake etc.
Pretty much just plug in stuff.
 
BUT BEFORE YOU DO THAT!!!! Disconnect the battery GROUND!!! You will also have to unbolt the ammeter wires, black and red, and THEY ARE both HOT!!
 
Darter6 said:
You have to remove the speedometer cable connection. 72 should have a clip on the cable housing to remove the cable.
Unplug the wiper switch and the headlamp switch. Also the gang plug for the lights/oil/brake etc.
Pretty much just plug in stuff.
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Can you remove the plastic face piece by itself without taking out the gauges? I would like to leave this part in the dash if possible.

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67Dart273 said:
BUT BEFORE YOU DO THAT!!!! Disconnect the battery GROUND!!! You will also have to unbolt the ammeter wires, black and red, and THEY ARE both HOT!!
Click to expand...
I have a battery cut-off installed, so nothing is hot unless it is running. Thanks for your concern—electricity can be dangerous to people and equipment.
 
Thanks for all your help, guys! The next step is to recoat the yellowy plastic that used to be chrome. What are your experiences and/or suggestions—paint pen, model paint? Any prep pointers will be greatly appreciated.
 
I used Alclad on mine. I had to do a repair on it with JB Pro Weld and the guys who rechrome these wouldn't do it as their cleaning process would melt the repair. Turned out OK for what it is:

www.forabodiesonly.com

1972 Duster, 340/4, black on black (the endgame)

Had a break this week from making guitars so I got some progress going on here. Front clip & rallye dash frame, blasted: Other than some surface spotting on the outside, those Valiant parts have no rust issues whatsoever :thumbsup: Nice & clean. Can't say the same for the dash frame...
www.forabodiesonly.com www.forabodiesonly.com
 
I just took my Dashboard apart. Same as yours. The headlight has a push button to release the rod. Push down and pull out on that headlight rod. The Wipers has a nut just unscrew it and it will come out. You can do this when you take the dashboard out. I had the speedometer rebuilt in a place located in Rhode Island. I bought a new electrical board from Herb’s. I think Tony bought Herb’s out. Buy new bulbs saves time fighting it. Removing those screws around the dash and release the speedometer cable before you pull it. Had to drop the steering column but didn’t remove it. If you need further help on it e mail me [email protected]. Al
 
Take your front seat out and remove the steering column. When you try taking the gauge cluster out, it helps to pull down on the lower metal dash, it flexes.
 
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I like the Revell chrome paint. A chrome paint pen might work for letters and thin areas....haven't used it much.
 
CRUZE 418 said:
Take your front seat out and remove the steering column. When you try taking the gauge cluster out, it helps to pull down on the lower metal dash, it flexes.
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I have lowered my instrument cluster, over a couple hundred times. Never once have I taken out the steering column.It may be easier but I imagine it is 3 times as much to get it back in
 
Not really, and you are probably the first one that I have ever heard say that it isn't easier to work under the dash with the seat out, or steering column . I'm 75, it's time well spent. 200 hundred times? To qoute our beloved President, ' Come on man.'
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
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