74 Duster Dashboard Removal

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edwinator13

edwinator13

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Volusia, FL
Any tips on removing the dashboard? I am changing the interior on my 74 Duster from beige to black. The original carpet had to go after years of moisture and stains the beige/gold carpet was in bad shape. I removed it to fix the floor front pans, it was so bad it felt apart in pieces. I found some Procar bucket seats, currently it has a bench seat, in black and some other interior panels also in black so I decided to change everything to black. I dyed the panels black. But wanted to know what's the best way to go about removing the dashboard to paint it. I mean the entire dashboard not just the instrument panel. Thanks for any information you can provide. Pictures will be great!

My 74 Duster Dash.jpg
 
This covered many times before. Five bolts are installed from top down, bolt heads hidden under windshield gasket. Two more bolts that the dash will pivot on and lift off of when loosened are behind the kick panels. One more small bolt above steering column ties dash to pedal support ( this one may not be present in all models ).
Easiest proper method is remove windshield. If you would rather take more difficult route, go under the dash and remove everything necessary to access those five bolts. defeat the 'U' nuts with a die grinder.
 
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By the FSM the abbreviated procedure is to remove the windshield, remove the 5 bolts holding the dash under the windshield gasket, remove the two side bolts on each side. After lowering the steering column, disconnect the wiring, heater cables and anything else in the way. It’s helpful to have an assistant to pull the dash from the car.
 
RedFish said:
This covered many times before. Five bolts are installed from top down, bolt heads hidden under windshield gasket. Two more bolts that the dash will pivot on and lift off of when loosened are behind the kick panels. One more small bolt above steering column ties dash to pedal support ( this one may not be present in all models ).
Easiest proper method is remove windshield. If you would rather take more difficult route, go under the dash and remove everything necessary to access those five bolts. defeat the 'U' nuts with a die grinder.
Click to expand...

Defeating the "U" nuts with a die grinder may get it out but.....how would he "un-defeat" them when it's time to reinstall the dash?
The best way is to remove the windshield. I'm thinking this simple interior color change may lead into a major project that includes rust repair and other things.
 
Another option would be to just remove the dash pad and paint the dash in the car. A lot of masking though. I always tape off the vin tag to save the Chrysler corporation decal if its still good.
 
KosmicKuda said:
Defeating the "U" nuts with a die grinder may get it out but.....how would he "un-defeat" them when it's time to reinstall the dash?
The best way is to remove the windshield. I'm thinking this simple interior color change may lead into a major project that includes rust repair and other things.
Click to expand...
Use a pic to remove the bolt head and remaining portion of the 'U' nut. Install new 'U' nuts upside down, on the dash instead of on the cowl. Work it in under the gasket. Install new bolts from bottom up. This has been done a few times. One example is my 67.
The only issue is the length of the new bolts. Threaded neck of 'U' nut is about the same height as the bolt head was. More bolt could distort the gasket.
Rust repair? That issue is more commonly found at rear windows. Removing the dash does snowball. Consider heater case and vent box to cowl seals, wiper pivot seals, wiper linkage bushings, etc... These are much easier done with the dash removed.
 
Just putting mine back in 67 Barracuda. Took it out like 65 Dartman suggested.
I had an old MOPAR buddy who's done this before...several times which helped ALOT!!
Rebuilt the heater box, core, etc...while it was out. Lots of little things to do.
Take lots of pics and have little plastic bags and a sharpie to keep it all sorted.
It takes time, but looks nice when done.
 
Thanks for all your replies. I looked under the dash, noticed the bolts were from the top down. Wanted to be sure this was correct before I proceed. I need to remove the windshield anyway to fix/replace the gasket, the reason for the rusted floor pans. This is exciting, more to learn about my new 74 Duster! Thanks again.
 
Dam...That's one of the cleaner dashes I've seen.
Sure you want to this ?
 
edwinator13 said:
Thanks for all your replies. I looked under the dash, noticed the bolts were from the top down. Wanted to be sure this was correct before I proceed. I need to remove the windshield anyway to fix/replace the gasket, the reason for the rusted floor pans. This is exciting, more to learn about my new 74 Duster! Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Even if you have to remove the windshield anyhow, I'd put the bolts back in from the bottom, in case you need to yank it out again. I'm sure the only reason the factory did it the other way is that "it was easiest" and fastest on the assy line.
 
edwinator13 said:
I need to remove the windshield anyway to fix/replace the gasket, the reason for the rusted floor pans. This is exciting, more to learn about my new 74 Duster! Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Don't forget to replace the wiper shaft seals, another well known source of leaks.
 
Finally removed the windshield. Next I'll be will be removing the dashboard and the headliner out the front to paint them. I'm also going to replace the wiper shaft seals. Any other suggestions on things I should look to replace/upgrade while I have the windshield and the dashboard out? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

74 Duster windshield less1.jpg


74 Duster windshield less2.jpg
 
Good time to replace/ inspect the wiper bushings, and make some "tools" to get up in and clean out the trash in the cowl vents Some paint maybe, if you strip it to metal, the firewall is not painted. How is the wiring? Condition of the terminals in the bulkhead connector? Refurb the heater?

Fer darn sure inspect / repair the cluster, here:

Printed circuit pins repair
 
67Dart273, Thanks for the suggestions. I was planning on painting the bare floor with bed liner coating. I will extend that to cover the firewall. I will look at the wiper bushings. The wiring and the cluster are in good shape. I'm not too concern about the heater...live in Florida. Thanks again.
 
I live in Fl, also. Not so much the heater, but the windshield defogger is really needed, in the early morning, and during the afternoon rain.
 
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