yeah I faintly remembered the hammer trick, but I didnt pull at the same time. Maybe some WD40 5 minutes before might help. I will try that again. Thank you
Oh, and the dash pad has 5/16 (I think) nuts behind it way up under the dash right where it turns down toward the floor.
At least 5 of them or maybe more with one on each end about half way down the pad.
Be careful, as I always say "putting your hands up under a classic Mopar dash is like sticking your hands in a box of kitchen knives" :D