Re: Removing the top of the senior dash.....
Posted by HH56 On 2012/4/13 23:13:45
55-6 dashes junior and senior are all constructed the same way. The pad and jr-sr model cosmetics are the only differences. The two halves are screwed together with a screw and speed nut about every 6-8" on the back via a flange on each piece. That flange is about 1/2 inch wide and just above the chrome molding and all the way across. The pad is sandwiched between the two flanges. The chrome molding does press in from the front and is held with spring clips but is decoration to hide the edges of the gold screen and also provide a means of fastening the edges of the screen. It does not touch the top piece or hold anything else together.
As far as top just lifting up, it won't because the top piece is screwed to cowl under the windshield trim molding and is essentially what holds the dash in. A screw about every foot or so. Once those are removed, as was mentioned by riki it may be possible to leave the two large bottom ones in on the sides and pivot. He mentioned you would need to remove or lower the steering column to let it fold forward. IMHO, the 56 half column should be removed since there would be no support after the dash clamp is gone. The toe board would need to loosen to let it drop. Once that is gone, unless you find a way to support it, the column would only be pulling against flex coupling & shift linkage and things could be damaged. Better safe than sorry and you gain extra room. At the dash, there is just the clamp held via two bolts to the main cowl to column support. Unfortunately the dash is in the middle. You also need to remove the radio tuner rear brace to cowl. In some cars the wiring loom is intertwined around the steering column brace so you probably couldn't move more than an inch or so without disconnecting several things. Something else to watch out for.
Here is a breakdown from parts manual and a picture of the back of dash from that AC install book. You can see 5 of the screws holding the top and bottom halves (one I neglected to highlight is in the middle of the others just to the right of corner of parts photo) and that arrangement is all the way across. The top does not hinge up.
Attach file:
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As far as top just lifting up, it won't because the top piece is screwed to cowl under the windshield trim molding and is essentially what holds the dash in. A screw about every foot or so. Once those are removed, as was mentioned by riki it may be possible to leave the two large bottom ones in on the sides and pivot. He mentioned you would need to remove or lower the steering column to let it fold forward. IMHO, the 56 half column should be removed since there would be no support after the dash clamp is gone. The toe board would need to loosen to let it drop. Once that is gone, unless you find a way to support it, the column would only be pulling against flex coupling & shift linkage and things could be damaged. Better safe than sorry and you gain extra room. At the dash, there is just the clamp held via two bolts to the main cowl to column support. Unfortunately the dash is in the middle. You also need to remove the radio tuner rear brace to cowl. In some cars the wiring loom is intertwined around the steering column brace so you probably couldn't move more than an inch or so without disconnecting several things. Something else to watch out for.
Here is a breakdown from parts manual and a picture of the back of dash from that AC install book. You can see 5 of the screws holding the top and bottom halves (one I neglected to highlight is in the middle of the others just to the right of corner of parts photo) and that arrangement is all the way across. The top does not hinge up.
Attach file:
(106.95 KB)
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