1952-59 Ford (Probably) stupid dash/gauge access question...

Ok,

So I'm still working away at my '54 wiring project, and I'm having a hard time finding clear info in my shop manual.

When you guys are rewiring or even just changing a bulb, how do you access the back of the gauges? Should I be able to just remove the stainless panel by removing the attached switches and the screws along the top, or do I need to remove the whole dash? If I can just remove the panel, do you guys know how to remove the switches? I can't find much in the book, and I don't want to break one. I got the radio dials removed, and I understand how to remove the headlight switch if I can find a tool, but not so sure about the others.

Also, what do I need to remove to gain access to the speedo? I can see the cable is disconnected but my hands are too big to get up behind the dash to connect gauge wires or the speedo cable with them in place.

The manual makes it sound so easy to replace a bulb or something, but it never tells you how to get to it.

Sorry for the dumb questions.

 

i know that in my 53 there are two screws attached to the dash and then two tabs on the guage cluster with nuts. these are at the bottom of the cluster that you can get to from under the dash. i just remove those nuts and the whole cluster pushes back and then at an angle i slide it all out.

 

The Parts Manual may be of more help than the Shop Manual by looking at the exploded views,When I rewired my '54 I took the dash out it made it easier to see what I was doing as a hint when you cut the old wires to remove it take pieces of masking tape and put tabs on the old wires marking them with letters of the alphabet where the cuts are that way everything will go back right with the new wires.

 

Hmm, I guess I'll need to buy a parts manual too. How hard is the dash to remove?

 

Removal is not too bad,remove the inner windshield frame and there are about 8 screws under that,there is a bolt at each end underneath to remove and thats it as far as what holds it, when you pull it forward you will gain access to some of the other things you need to disconnect,if you loosen the 2 small bolts that hold in the heater control you can pull it out and access the cables better.PM Retro Jim for the Parts CD only $10 shipped to your door.

 

I rewired my 54 with the dash in. I think its easier that way since you can cut the wires to correct length. Take the seat out, its much easier to work in the dash that way. You may have to remove the speedo cluster to gain some room..

 

Yeah, wired mine with the dash in (though I'm only using the fuel gauge (not that the water temp and idiot lights would do me any good anyway).

Take the seat out when you wire it. It gives you a ton of room. The first time I took the speedo out ****ed.

 

How do you remove the speedo housing w/o removing the dash? Did you just reach up behind and undo it?

 

Yeah, its not easy the first time you do it. Its also kind of rough to get to. There are just four 3/8 hex nuts on the studs for the speedo housing, they just un-bolt and it comes out. Without the front seat in, its not terrible, I've done it with the seat in, and could have been doing things that were more fun.