1969 Dash Install
March 4th, 2021, 06:39 AM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 4
1969 Dash Install
I had a fire and need to replace my upper and lower dash on my 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass. I rewired the entire car and am now I am stuck. I am wondering if I should put the lower dash on the car first and then the upper dash or I should put the lower and upper dash together and then put them both in the car at the same time. Please help!
March 4th, 2021, 11:16 AM
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 572
I've had my '69 dash apart and agree with the others. You will find it MUCH easier to install the gauge pods, assorted pieces and lower panel on a bench or table. This will then all go back in the car as an assembly. I put the light switch, wiper switch, HVAC controls and radio back in AFTER the dash was installed. I did the glovebox after and remember it being a pain in the neck. Consider putting it in place prior to putting the dash in. I think the fact that my car has AC made this harder due to lack of space between the dash and firewall.
Sorry to hear you had a fire. Hopefully, it wasn't too bad and you caught it in time. Every time I see one of the detailed restorations on this site where the guys re-use the original wiring harnesses it makes me nervous. I understand the desire for originality but, in my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster. New harnesses - especially the dash harness - can be expensive but my experience is that if you go with a reputable company, the quality and resemblance to the originals are great. Good luck.
Sorry to hear you had a fire. Hopefully, it wasn't too bad and you caught it in time. Every time I see one of the detailed restorations on this site where the guys re-use the original wiring harnesses it makes me nervous. I understand the desire for originality but, in my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster. New harnesses - especially the dash harness - can be expensive but my experience is that if you go with a reputable company, the quality and resemblance to the originals are great. Good luck.
March 5th, 2021, 06:15 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 4
I've had my '69 dash apart and agree with the others. You will find it MUCH easier to install the gauge pods, assorted pieces and lower panel on a bench or table. This will then all go back in the car as an assembly. I put the light switch, wiper switch, HVAC controls and radio back in AFTER the dash was installed. I did the glovebox after and remember it being a pain in the neck. Consider putting it in place prior to putting the dash in. I think the fact that my car has AC made this harder due to lack of space between the dash and firewall.
Sorry to hear you had a fire. Hopefully, it wasn't too bad and you caught it in time. Every time I see one of the detailed restorations on this site where the guys re-use the original wiring harnesses it makes me nervous. I understand the desire for originality but, in my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster. New harnesses - especially the dash harness - can be expensive but my experience is that if you go with a reputable company, the quality and resemblance to the originals are great. Good luck.
Sorry to hear you had a fire. Hopefully, it wasn't too bad and you caught it in time. Every time I see one of the detailed restorations on this site where the guys re-use the original wiring harnesses it makes me nervous. I understand the desire for originality but, in my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster. New harnesses - especially the dash harness - can be expensive but my experience is that if you go with a reputable company, the quality and resemblance to the originals are great. Good luck.
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