How Do I Remove Instrument Cluster 71 Dart?

I have been looking for a Service Manual for my car an have typically used the Automotive Historical Library (www.wildaboutcars.com) to access the PDF of Service Manuals. Unfortunately, the Mopar section is very limited.

Anyway, I have the screws out of the panel and the adjacent one that had the A/C Blower control and radio. However, it is stuck and I don't want to break anything. It seems like if I force it, with my luck it pull wires out from their connections and I would have no clue how to reconnect the correct wires.
It will tilt forward but will not pull forward in order for me to access the headlight switch.

Does anyone have a PDF of the Service Manual? I found the Chassis Manual here, but not the service.

Thanks

1.disconnect the battery
remove the speedo cable
feel the large group of harness wires-- they have "U" shaped clips w/rubber coating
tack welded into the metal dash frame-- bend them to allow the harness wiring to move. (I think there are at least 3)

loosen the steering column from the dash mount
take the plastic cover off -- you should see the bolts & bracket holding it in place.
(remove cluster mounting screws- front side)
now carefully pull your cluster out a towel on the column provides some cushion.

you should get enough clearance to have the cluster sitting on the column & gives you room to remove the ammeter/ attachments & pry the pin connections loose

the biggest problem is the pins on the back side-- if your pressure to remove is not even-- they will break

take your time-- once you start & investigate you will see how it comes out ,Lawrence

VDART - Thanks for the reply. You are scaring me though! I read your instructions and my head is still spinning. All of that is to get to the headlight switch? My dash has the horizontal split. So the upper face of the cluster is plastic. The lower is metal. The headlight knob is in the lower metal portion. Does that make a difference from what you outlined?

Some access to free service manuals:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1970088617

You don't need to remove the inst' panel to remove the headlight switch.

RedFish said:

You don't need to remove the inst' panel to remove the headlight switch.

Click to expand...

Maybe not, LOL, but if it hasn't been "gone through" since '71, '81, or even '91, it might be a good idea to inspect, clean, and fix any problems

your post asked how to remove instrument cluster -- headlight switch is much simpler--- find the very small tab on the switch push it in-- pull the h/l switch out-- jiggle it until it completely comes away from the assembly-- now remove the slotted nut holding the remaining switch in place. -- once that is removed the switch will hang free below the dash-- & you can remove the wires. Lawrence

67Dart273 said:

Maybe not, LOL, but if it hasn't been "gone through" since '71, '81, or even '91, it might be a good idea to inspect, clean, and fix any problems

Click to expand...

I find it hard to believe you posted that. You know how fragile these things are. The poster here probably doesn't know he can do more harm than good feckin around with the inst' cluster.

If it aint broke don't fix it.
Replace headlight switch... Remove the neg' battery cable. Remove the Phillips head screw securing fuse box. Move fuse box out of its support bracket just enough to reach in and press release button on right side of switch so the knob and stem assembly will pull out. remove bezel nut, lower switch from under dash through space created at fuse box move.
Not necessary to press the release button when reinstalling that stem.

Hi all,

I did what he wrote here, everything is unplugged, the steering column went down about 1 inch, i've removed my steering wheeling for working more easy... but my instrument cluster does not want to go out.
It's a 71 Dart from Swiss. I'm French.
Watch my video:

Didn't look to have the bottom out far enough before tilting. Try straight out farther then tilt.
Put a shop towel over your steering column so the inst' panel doesn't scar it finish.
I always remove the 3 bolts at firewall plate so the column drops much father. The bolt scars in that plate show me where it was so I can place it back again but... I might need to readjust the shift linkage for neutral safety switch operation so car starts in park after all. That adjustment is underneath the car. Good luck with it.

RedFish said:

Didn't look to have the bottom out far enough before tilting. Try straight out farther then tilt.

Click to expand...

I can not get it straight because there is the speedometer behind that bothers me.
example picture:

Assuming speedo cable is disconnected. Referring to the pic you added... I wont say removing the radio is the best plan but.. If you did remove the ash tray and radio you would find the wiring harness captured under those 2 metal straps and the harness connector on the wiper switch in your path to the inst' panel. Work your way around those and the 2 wires on the amp gauge and the inline connector on that circuit board could be removed.
These inline connectors are notorious for causing bent, loose, or broken pins on the circuit boards. The one on your left side board is close to the top so the panel tilting is stressing it. Find a path to them and carefully pull them straight away from the board is definitely the best plan.
When I remove any a-body inst' panel, I remove the one screw holding the fuse box so it and its wiring will move. The I can easily push the little button on the headlight switch body to remove its stem. I remove the knob from wiper switch. I remove both switches bezel nuts so switches can fall inside as far as the wiring and dash will allow.
I don't know that all this would help you since your switches aren't mounted in the inst' panel like most other examples. I do know you will generate more movement in this hard old wiring, plus you will have a path by the fuse box to the speedometer cable to disconnect and reconnect it.
When the factory service manual was written, "pull the inst' panel outward and tilt it", They weren't fighting a 50 year old wiring harness.

I managed to remove it this afternoon !!
At the end of the steering column there is a plate on the firewall with 3 bolts. I unscrew them and then the column went down even more. I removed the buttons on the dashboard below the instrument cluster and I also removed the small bulbs and then I managed to pull it out.
I think I'll do a tutorial in case another one is in trouble.
I wanted to remove it because my gas gauge does not work.