67 valiant gauge cluster

I am trying to remove the gauge cluster out of my valiant but I cannot seem to get the gauge cluster out. (I removed the six screws on the face of cluster) I read in the manual that you have to remove the speedo cable and electrical conections but I cannot get up behind the dash to do so. Do I need to drop the steering column or is there something easier that I am forgetting to do?

I took my steering column out when I removed my cluster, but my goal was to remove the whole dash...It's just wires and the speedo cable behind the cluster.

Lowering the steering column helps but the best thing you can do is remove the one screw holding the fuse box in place. Lift it a tad , move it toward the firewall and down again so it rests behind its bracket. There is your access to the stem release on the headlight switch. Remove that switch from the bezel and leave it in the car. Now you have plenty of room to get a hand on the speedo cable. As you pull it a just a inch or so it should push the instrument cluster out of the dash. Now disconnect the speedo from the cluster. Disconnect the electrical connections, done.
I always leave the wiper switch in the car too rather that deal with those connectors.