Dash pad off 1971 F100?

Tonianne · Post by **Tonianne** » Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:43 am

Im wanting to take dash pad off but i cant get to the bolts under the dash behind the instrument panel and grille and i can't figure out how to take the darn grille off. Grille has several 1/4" bolts securing it to the instrument panel but i can't pull it out further bcz of all the wire connections attached to it.

Can anyone provide some feed back? Much appreciated

Post by **FORDification** » Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:06 am

I'm not sure what 'grille' you're talking about here. If you're referring to the two defrost vent grilles, those are a part of the dashpad and aren't individually removable. But to get the dashpad off, you'll have to remove the instrument panel, radio and glovebox insert to gain access to the nuts holding the pad down.

Once you remove the screws holding the instrument panel to the dash, you'll have to disconnect it from the wiring harness and remove it completely.

Here's a view of the bottom of the pad to give you an idea of how many nuts you'll have to remove. It's somewhat time-consuming, but isn't hard to do.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:18 am

There are 14 dash pad nuts. Dont forget the ones in the two front corners of the dash. And all along the front of the dash.

76Kroh · Post by **76Kroh** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:04 pm

FORDification wrote:I'm not sure what 'grille' you're talking about here. If you're referring to the two defrost vent grilles, those are a part of the dashpad and aren't individually removable. But to get the dashpad off, you'll have to remove the instrument panel, radio and glovebox insert to gain access to the nuts holding the pad down.

Once you remove the screws holding the instrument panel to the dash, you'll have to disconnect it from the wiring harness and remove it completely.

Here's a view of the bottom of the pad to give you an idea of how many nuts you'll have to remove. It's somewhat time-consuming, but isn't hard to do.

I started removing mine too. I got all of the ones I could reach from the removed glove box. What is the proper way to remove the radio?

Pat Crash · Post by **Pat Crash** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 2:18 pm

76Kroh wrote: I started removing mine too. I got all of the ones I could reach from the removed glove box. What is the proper way to remove the radio?

I have a 1971 F100. Just removed and installed a replacement dash pad this weekend. You do not need to remove the radio. You can easily reach all hardware without removing that unit. You do need to remove the instrument panel (8 screws) and disconnect the wiring harness (easy) and then unscrew the speedometer cable (easy as well). If I can do it, you can do it.

76Kroh · Post by **76Kroh** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:00 pm

Pat Crash wrote:
76Kroh wrote: I started removing mine too. I got all of the ones I could reach from the removed glove box. What is the proper way to remove the radio?
I have a 1971 F100. Just removed a installed a dash pad this weekend. You do not need to remove the radio. You can easily reach all hardware without removing that unit. You do need to remove the instrument panel (8 screws) and disconnect the wiring harness (easy) and then unscrew the speedometer cable (easy as well). If I can do it, you can do it.

I didn't think I would have to looking at it until I read the comments above. I didn't get that far though. I need to get a small ratchet first, doing it with a wrench wasn't cutting it Lol.

flyboy2610 · Post by **flyboy2610** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:04 pm

Get a set of ratcheting wrenches.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... 96654.html

I used to think these were a cute gimmick until i got a set. Now I wonder how I got a long without them!

76Kroh · Post by **76Kroh** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:10 pm

flyboy2610 wrote:Get a set of ratcheting wrenches.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... 96654.html

I used to think these were a cute gimmick until i got a set. Now I wonder how I got a long without them!

I was actually thinking that a wrench ratchet would be a big help while I was working on it. I do believe I will pick some up this weekend. Bonus is Harbor Freight is down the street from me!

hillcountryflt · Post by **hillcountryflt** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:10 pm

I used a couple of different tools - I used a quarter-inch drive ratchet with 4 inch extension and swivel head. I used a nut driver and an end wrench. Scraped up some knuckles taking the pad out of mine.
If you are not replacing the existing dash pad, make sure you remove the vent plates from the old dash pad. They are perfect fits for the vent openings on the metal dash board.

Pat Crash · Post by **Pat Crash** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:20 pm

hillcountryflt wrote:If you are not replacing the existing dash pad, make sure you remove the vent plates from the old dash pad. They are perfect fits for the vent openings on the metal dash board.

Didn't think of that. Good tip.

76Kroh · Post by **76Kroh** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 10:18 pm

Pat Crash wrote:
76Kroh wrote: I started removing mine too. I got all of the ones I could reach from the removed glove box. What is the proper way to remove the radio?
I have a 1971 F100. Just removed and installed a replacement dash pad this weekend. You do not need to remove the radio. You can easily reach all hardware without removing that unit. You do need to remove the instrument panel (8 screws) and disconnect the wiring harness (easy) and then unscrew the speedometer cable (easy as well). If I can do it, you can do it.

You were correct sir!

76Kroh · Post by **76Kroh** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 10:20 pm

pc screenshot

Got mine off. Thanks for all of the tips guys they really helped!

Pat Crash · Post by **Pat Crash** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 11:01 pm

Looks good. Nice job.

Agskam · Post by **Agskam** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:45 am

This is my first post but wanted to say this link was very helpful. I just replaced my dash pad for 1970 F100 over the weekend with a replacement pad from Macs. Nice reproduction using Ford tooling and fit perfectly. Advice on this site was spot on - take out the instrument panel (8 screws, 1 speedo cable, 1 harness connector) and remove the glove box insert. I would add that it was helpful to pull off both defrost hoses from dash to improve access to the two hardest to reach nuts - one on either side of speaker grill. If you do that, you will be able to reach all 14 nuts with relative ease although lots of sharp edges including the tips of the pins holding the dash trim so beware. Also agree with tool selection - nuts are 3/8 and I used a combo of open end wrench, ratcheting wrench, socket, and nut driver with extension and flexible end. Sorry I did not take pics but hopefully this will help inspire confidence for others. I saw elsewhere I think but since the instrument cluster is out, good preventative move to replace the 5 dash bulbs (GE 168 I think).

Chucks1 · Post by **Chucks1** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:47 pm

Just replaced the dashpad on my '71 F250 with a repro unit from Mac's Auto Parts. Piece o' cake to do this job with just the dash panel and glove box out. Other than the expected few cuts along my hand/arm, it's an easy job and the new pad looks fabulous. I've gotta do something about that beat up looking ol' under dash A/C unit next . . .

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Dash pad off 1971 F100?

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