Dash Frame Removal - Does the windshield have to come out?

[wjaholic]

I am working on a '74 Duster. I am thinking about changing the dash frame out this summer. I picked up a nice black one that I would love to swap my existing molested tan one for.

Does the windshield have to come out to swap out the dash frames?

 

[R72Demon]

Yes, there are bolts along the top of the dash frame that are under the windshield gasket.

 

[jtkaaa07]

Yes, unfortunatley you do. Normally I just take a razor knife, and cut the gasket all the way around the window from the outside. Then get a friend to help push it out, carefully. I would never put a used gasket back in a car anyway, and this would be a good time to clean up the window channel as well. Re-installing window and new gasket are not that expensive.

 

[daliant]

You can do it without pulling the glass if you dont mind crawling under the dash and eating some sparks, you'll have to cut the tin-nuts off with a dremel or small grinder. To reinstall the dash you just put the tin-nuts on the dash frame insted of the windshield frame and screw it in from the bottom.