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Topic: Complete dash removal - Help with connector! (Read 5730 times) previous topic - next topic

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Found a few things (that I already knew) searching...  So how do I get the dash completely out?  I know, 5 bolts, 5 nuts but what else to pull the whole thing as one unit?

Btw, I'm stripping/adding sound material.  Need to get to the firewall...
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #1
Just set the wiring harness of the bck of it. makes it a ton easier.
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1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #2
Hmm, I'm not sure I follow what you're saying...  How many plugs are there to disconnect?  Also, anything need to be done with the heater box.  I'm assuming there's a couple vac lines, the heater cable.. what about the vents?  The heater box will stay on the firewall right?
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #3
Quote from: booksix;203617
Hmm, I'm not sure I follow what you're saying...  How many plugs are there to disconnect?  Also, anything need to be done with the heater box.  I'm assuming there's a couple vac lines, the heater cable.. what about the vents?  The heater box will stay on the firewall right?


just a few tie straps hold it in once everything is unplugged, one you take the hvac stuff loose it will stay with the harness, and yes the heaterbox is its own assembly.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #4
ok, cool...  Seems simple enough, thanks
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #5
I can't remember perfectly, but I believe you have to drop the steering column (I completely removed it for ease).  You don't have to touch the core, just remove the vacuum lines from the back of the control deck. 

The hardest part for me was getting the cluster harness through and out of the back of the dash.  I'd mark everything you can as well.  I told myself I'd remember... and I did not.

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #6
ahh, so I have to remove the cluster?  I guess it wouldn't make sense for them to have another connection behind the dash.  So what kind of things did you think i should mark?  I can't see there being that much to get mixed up.
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #7
Just little stuff...  Wires for the trunk/gas release, auto dim, that blue brake thing on the drivers side, clock, headlight/antenna switches, etc.  It wasn't too hard to figure out but it added some time.

I don't remember if there's another connection behind the dash for the cluster.  I just remember a big mess.

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #8
!  I forgot about all those connections!  Hmm....  I have the entire thing unbolted and the carpet out already.  I have from Thursday at 8pm to Friday (my day off) around 11pm to finish pulling the dash, install 2 layers of sound dampening material to the firewall/trans hump and get the dash back in enough to drive it.  What do you think?  :D
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #9
You can do it!  Lol I had an "expert" help me with mine, so it wasn't too bad.  Once you get all the wires re-ran it will go smoothly.  Is it really that loud?

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #10
driving a 5 liter powered tin can with 2-chamber flows and dumps at 75mph to work everyday....  Yeah, its loud!  Much quieter when the carpet is in...  Hearing this much noise on the inside makes me realize what my neighbors have to deal with!!  :hick:
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #11
Good luck with the dash, mat and reinstall. I hope you have help.
I almost blew a nut trying to get the power seat out myself. lol
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #12
LOL, been there....  many times!  I just had them in and out several times; my entire interior was just redone leather.  I'm used to lifting those heavy bastages!    One time I couldn't move the car or open the door far enough so I took the passenger power seat out the window and partially across the roof of the car!
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #13
lol- Sounds like something i've done before. Next time your in Buffalo you can help me put my seats back in.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook

Complete dash removal - Help with connector!

Reply #14
hahaha!  you got it!
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats