Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I need to completely rewire the dash on a 46 clipper.
How do I access the rear of the switch panel?
Do I need to remove the whole dash?
If so, How do I do it?

If you want to access the entire rear at once you will have to remove the dash.

The instrument cluster itself is an assembly and will drop down in one piece leaving it's chrome outer front piece. The chrome housing switches are mounted in is one piece and screwed to the dash from the rear. While the switches individually will remove from the rear or can be wired in place, the entire housing and switches intact will not come out from the front. Two things prevent this -- one is the length of some individual wires connecting switches to the wire loom are short and won't give enough room to pull. The second is some of the switches are the same width or slightly wider than the slots in the dash support metal so they won't clear. Their width would prevent the assembly coming forward without switch being removed or using considerable manipulation.

To remove dash completely, after all the hood release, steering column, cowl vent and emerg brake levers and anything else you see attached are unscrewed from the bottom of dash, the dash itself is held in by two screws on the bottom corners and a row of screws under the windshield molding.

It will probably help to remove the radio to get rid of that extra weight and to also have a helper. The dash, while not terribly heavy, is bulky and hard to maneuver. Very easy to scratch, tear or damage something trying to move it around by yourself.

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I rewired my 1947 without removing the dash. As I recall since it was a few years ago I removed the radio and the glove box and to get into a reasonably comfortable position I removed the from seat and placed heavy blankets over the seat frame and laid on my back. I took some photos with a digital camera before I began so if I had to work blind I would have some clue as to what I was feeling. It actually wasn't that bad a job but it does require patience.

G'day bobb4245,
to PackardInfo, all the best in your re-wiring.

And I invite you to include your '46 Clipper in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo!