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I have tried several times to get the two nuts removed from the instrument panel on my 54 CLipper. I cannot get it done, I need to replace all the bulbs. Any tips would be good, I cannot get my hands or a tool on the nuts. Am I just not trying hard enough? I don't know if having the seat out would help with getting my hands or a tool in to loosen the nuts.
If you are speaking of the nuts on the studs at the bottom, sometimes removing the switch or item directly under the nut and stud will allow room to get a wrench in position and have room to swing. If you are speaking of the flat speed nuts at the top which the two screws thread into then I don't know of anything other than fingers that will really do a decent job in holding them.
If you want to clean as the reason for removing the cluster then you will have to remove the nuts. If you just want to replace bulbs, it is not necessary to remove the cluster since all the sockets will pull out of the cluster from the rear with it in place. You will need to have decent access though and no matter where the cluster is -- in or removed -- use finesse to pull or pry the socket straight out. I use a small blade screwdriver to gently nudge the socket loose. It is easy to catch the bulb on the edge of cluster and break the glass. Then you do need to remove the cluster.
Personally, I don't bend well in lots of places anymore and found it much easier to remove the seat and lay flat on the floor with my head somewhat up under the dash when doing any work. Removing the seat in itself is a project though and an awful lot of work just to change bulbs. It is heavy and very hard to maneuver. If you have a helper it can be done without using too many bad words but if alone it is a pain. Once it was unbolted I did it alone by using my engine hoist and a couple of straps fairly centered on the frame to lift it up and slide out. You may gain enough room to lay at an angle to get under the dash by just unbolting and sliding it back to touch the rear seat -- but it is still work. Come in from the passenger side over the tunnel. A piece of foam or folded blankets on the side of tunnel makes the hump bearable. Of course, the pedals will still be in the way but generally can be worked around.
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