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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 07:07:38 PM

Title: Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 07:07:38 PM
I found a pinto in the local yard, a 72 model to be exact, with a/c and a 2.0. I need to remove the a/c box from it but do not know how to get to it. I need to know how to remove the dash from the car and then how to remove the a/c box. If you only know part of the answer, please post it. thanks!
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: turbopinto72 on March 08, 2004, 07:15:32 PM
There should be about 5/6 studs on the under side of the dash with nuts on them. You will need to remove the glove box to get to the passanger side. As far as the drivers side  ( I think) you need to go in thru the spedo cluster area. drop the cluster out and I think you will have enough room. any one else want to add??
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 07:33:13 PM
i took off the glovebox and instrument cluster today when i was getting some other things and ran out of time to finish.

are the studs near the passenger side or the engine side of the dash?

the a/c box easy to remove once the dash is gone, meaning is it just bolted in there basically?
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: turbopinto72 on March 08, 2004, 07:42:28 PM
You will not be able to access anything by taking the dash off. The studs are about dead center of the dash.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 07:47:22 PM
so youre saying theres no point in removing the dash?

it looks pretty big to me, how would i get it out?
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 07:48:03 PM
edit

im not talkling about the dash pad, im talking about the whole dash assembly thing.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: turbopinto72 on March 08, 2004, 09:04:42 PM
Ok, I was thinking dash pad. I have never taken apart the whole dash assy. I dont even know if if all comes apart. I will look in my books.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 09:12:38 PM
thanks a lot, please let me know.

it has to come out because the previous owner of my car removed mine. If it doesn't come out, how am i suppsoed to be able to get the a/c box out?
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: turbopinto72 on March 08, 2004, 09:35:01 PM
 ( Plasma cutter)  :o
Im looking in my books........
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: turbopinto72 on March 08, 2004, 09:44:03 PM
 None of my books give me that info, sorry. If you are taking it from a junk car you could cut it up pretty good and get it out, then look for signs of how to actually remove the dash. ( best guess )
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 08, 2004, 10:36:48 PM
i dont want the dash, i just want the a/c box.

it is a junk car, destroying things is not a concern at all.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: Scott Hamilton on March 09, 2004, 02:14:21 PM
I have taken out the interior air handler box without removing the dash, if I remember correctly you will need to remove one 'attaching' brace that hold the dash assemby in place, it's been 5 years since...

I know you can remove the air handler without removing the dash completely, ....

Hope this helps,
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: wagonmaster on March 09, 2004, 09:23:59 PM
The dash assembly is held in place by several screws around the perimeter of the dash. The screws below the windshield are hidden by the windshield weatherstrip. If you cut the lower part of the weatherstrip away, it will make the job much easier. You will also have to drop the steering column and unbolt the pedal bracket and center support bracket. They actually come out much easier than I thought they would. The dash pad does not need to be removed when yanking the whole unit. I yanked one that had both AC and the Sports Gauge package to use in my panel.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: turbopinto72 on March 09, 2004, 10:25:35 PM
Great Info, thanks for responding
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: orangerunabout on March 10, 2004, 04:23:09 PM
thanks guys, im going to go and grab it tomorrow. its hard to find an a/c equipped early pinto.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: wagonmaster on March 10, 2004, 07:26:59 PM
Make sure you get all the ducting from the AC/heater box to the dash assembly as well as the control assembly and consolette.
Title: Re:Dash removal..please help me quick!
Post by: crazyhorse on March 11, 2004, 08:24:38 PM
You pull the dash pad ,cluster &, Glove box. Disconnect the controls from the box. There's a bracket on the dash to the heater box. you remove the blower before the box. then there's 4 bolts holding the box to the firewall. It should slide out and down into the passenger footwell.
The standard heater should come out the same way except that the blower will stay attached

I just replaced my blower motor , trust me you'll need to put more than a few quarters into the curse jar  ???LOL