Thanks for the tutorial, I am going to use threaded rod on the outer two upper bolt locations to hopefully back my fully assembled dash out about 1" to change all my instrument cluster bulbs (except the 5 indicator bulbs) to LED's. I'll be supporting the center off of my console with blocks and use a length of safety wire in the upper center holes to keep the dash from rolling over. After some research, I'll be using Hella 921 5K LED's from Rock Auto. $2.85 ea.
This is truly an excellent video. Thank you for putting this out there Mr. Craft. I am removing the dash from my 70 Elky and this saves me so much difficulty. I owe you a brew Sir.
THANKS VERY MUCH for your videos.I took my dash apart years ago and the video will help me get it back together.I'm an old guy and I must say you are a multi talented young buck.Much appreciated
@@martytruelove5026 ive seen so many chevelles fixed up with no attention given to the dash.. everything works on mine... the only thing i would upgrade is maybe LED illumination DASH LIGHTS ONLY cause they were always very weak at night..
Don't worry about what people think (hole for the radio) its your car, your building it, paying for it and its supposed to make you happy. I've often thought small clips and screws were somehow related to mexican jumping beans. They wind up in the weirdest places. Thumbs up, looks great to me.
Dude. Excellent vid. You get right to the point. Excellent camera angles and lighting. No babbling, just straight-up info and accurate advice. I'm hoping this same procedure will work on my 69 LeMans. I need to fix some heater control issues and a faulty gas gauge, and maybe install some speakers.
I could have used this tutorial about 10 years ago. Damn, I did it wrong. I know what I'm doing this fall when I store the car for winter, redoing my dash correctly.
Chris your the very best ! Your wisdom on these car's is very valuable information , for the do it yourself guys just trying to fix up or restore the car yourself its a must for us . Keep up all the good work Man !
I agree with most folks. Don't worry about adding the radio. I did the same thing and just like you, the radio area in my dash was damaged too. I now have a 'better' radio that I can enjoy my stuff on (BT/USB, etc...) My radio was $23 by the way. AND I didn't have to buy a new dash for like $150 or more.. (your video helped... A LOT) Thanks.
Great tips! I’ve taken my dash out plenty of times and this video would have been extremely useful. Currently repainting, silver trim, and Dakota RTX upgrades. I’m not mad at the radio. I also cut mine for a vintage Alpine cassette player 👍
Markgyver here.......!!!!..........Awesome video..........For those clips on the dash that vanish in thin air.....you can go online and get earth Magnets and place them on top of the dash so those clips won't vanish..........There the strongest magnets you can buy, Thanks for the great video....Markgyver.
radio looks good. i had to do the same with my chevelle. i redid my 1968 300 deluxe chevelle's dash. i painted it bright silver 1st then with pin stripping tape i masked off the edge i wanted silver then painted it black. the lettering i did with dipping a eraser from a no.2 pencil in the silver and with not too much paint touch the letters it came out nice. you could retouch the silver with paint brush later. 3 years later they started remaking them.
I love the vent deletes! They really do look factory. Great job! I love the idea of putting an aftermarket/modern head unit in an old car. It's your car. You have to make it yours. If it means cutting up the dash, oh well! Such as life.
AWESOME!!!! I've found a reasonable Chevelle Guy! Do what you can with what you have, and make it look as good as possible. That's your ONLY option. I like the look that you've given this dash, and it was what I was hoping to find, when I first clicked onto your videos. I give you a big thumbs-up, because you're right! What else can you do, when your current dash is already damaged? Work with it. This is a very complex job to undergo. I'm a strait-up Chevelle/El Camino guy, and this channel is what I have been looking for. So, thank you! Good luck! Oh yeah, can the clips underneath the dash cap, not be permanently affixed, so that they do not fall out, or do they need to be able to swivel a bit, so that you can get them in place? Thanks, Man!
SEM Landau Black spray is absolutely the PERFECT spray for this vintage vinyl. I took and old green dash and some pieces in brown and made a perfect black from it. Would also work on those delete panels.
Rule of thumb a lot of people do right away they cut the hole for the radio that's a No-No because use a lot of value in your car I'm muting it that way forget it that's why they sell radio consoles for the newer radios or you can buy a vintage type radio in dash it's worth spending the money
Excellent video! What size are the stereo speakers that you are adapting to use in the dash? I already bought 3.5 round kickers (doesn't look like they will work) so I need to reorder so I can get my system installed.
You can easily find a retro designed radio with aux and Bluetooth functionality that will slide right into the original uncut dash. That's what I would do with my 69 truck but sadly the previous owner thought it was a bright idea to cut the dash up.
Great video, Chris. I see that you have the side vent removed with the emergency brake system still in place. How did you get the side vent out with the parking brake still in place? I cant seem to find a way to get the parking brake system out.
Hey Chris, thanks for the great videos man; I'm learning tons rebuilding my 70'SS Chevelle! My dash was toast; I reluctantly ordered a repro SS dash; it came with no screws however! What size are the original screws to affix everything to the back side of the dash? There are 13 of them, not including the side vents... I dont want to put in the wrong size and crack these plastic holes... thanks again
71 Olds Cutlass convertible bucket seats how do you remove that back panel to the bucket seat I don't see any screws I remove the locking mechanism but I still can't get that thing off does anybody know how to get to it I see people posting it but they never show you how they take that back panel to seat off
Gotta take mine out. Video helped answer a lot of questions...thanks. But I have an idea watching this vid to hot glue dab over the hole and studd of those clips on way back in. Should work good to hold them in place
hi Chris great video have a 76 buick regal sr like to remove heater box and center vent Reason why previous owner had mice problem and put moth balls down vents
It sure looks easier with NO windshield,NO seat,NO steering wheel and NO backpain.I am upside down,feet in backseat,in positions not since The Drive In Theatre.
thanks for making this it will help me install my new dash pad. hey Chris how many light bulbs are up under dash? I just got some new ones and I was just wondering there is not 24 is there ? that is how many OPG sent and I asked how many and so I am checking in with you.
Thanks for this video. My dash pad on the driver's side front is either missing a screw or one of those clips. It has been gone for years and now the dash pad is somewhat warped. Really bugs me. My car is all intact so how do I get up in there and fix this problem?
I may have missed it, but @ChrisCraft what size are the original dash speakers? I have a 72 Monte Carlo and it has no speakers in the dash or rear package tray.
If you've got the factory dash clips they are miles better than the repop...the aftermarket clips are garbage....you clip them in and the first time you try to slide dash in half of the clips pop off and the retainer breaks. If I've got to use aftermarket I rough up the metal on dash mount for the clip and the clip and lay down epoxy then snap clip in and let it cure before installing and they won't pop out
Hello I have 1971 Chevy El Camino. For Germany I need Kmh speedometer. So how can I remove the plastic cover in front of the original speedometer? Is there an easy way??? Can anybody help me? Thanks and look forward for an answer...
Awesome videos I am going to watch a few more tonight. Do you know what size the nuts are that hold the steering column up to the dash? I bought my car with the steering column and wheel down on the floor and I see two studs that look like they may require 3/8-16 nuts but possibly metric? Do you know off hand?? Thanks!
How do you remove dash cover 2 gauges so I can clean the lenses or replace them for some reason this thing is connected to the air conditioning ductwork in the center of the dash and if I remove those School screws to get rid of that I will never be able to get those back on because of its location can somebody please help me thank you 1968 Chevy Chevelle