Builds A pig for Father's Day (1 Viewer)

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i used just dashes out of LA, i dropped it off, they told me they would contact me with price when they were ready to start, they called about 4 months later, about $900 shipped at the time, came out great
Four months later - LOL
 
I won't go into all the details on the instrument cluster or the center control panel; both of those operations have been discussed at length by others. I will reiterate though a few important steps. Take the time to chase the speedometer cable in the engine bay and remove it from the two clips that hold it on the firewall. That will free up enough slack in the cable to allow you to pull the instrument cluster forward enough to disconnect the speedometer cable. Also, I removed the two bolts holding the steering column in place. Not sure if that was 100% necessary but it appeared to be.

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Do you have any supporting evidence around the speedo cable?
I need to change mine out due to the 5-speed swap.
I went w/ a FJ60 p/n which I hope will do the trick.
A warm, sunny day will increase my motivation to tackle this.
 
Do you have any supporting evidence around the speedo cable?
I need to change mine out due to the 5-speed swap.
I went w/ a FJ60 p/n which I hope will do the trick.
A warm, sunny day will increase my motivation to tackle this.
What do you need? A photo of the instrument cluster end? Measurements somewhere?
 
The firewall connection, if you have any pictures.

Thank you!
I have some but not showing the lower clip. Both of these are fold over type clips that don't attach so it's not an issue to pull the cable out and/or to pry the clip open with a screwdriver. The first photo shows the firewall grommet for the speedometer cable in red and the choke cable in blue. The clip you can see in the next photo is the upper one. Without measuring, I would say it's a good foot or more below the firewall grommet. The other clip is pretty far down but before the firewall rolls horizontal. I was able to just pull the cable up and out.

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Speedometer Cable 2 edit.JPEG
 
I have some but not showing the lower clip. Both of these are fold over type clips that don't attach so it's not an issue to pull the cable out and/or to pry the clip open with a screwdriver. The first photo shows the firewall grommet for the speedometer cable in red and the choke cable in blue. The clip you can see in the next photo is the upper one. Without measuring, I would say it's a good foot or more below the firewall grommet. The other clip is pretty far down but before the firewall rolls horizontal. I was able to just pull the cable up and out.

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Thank you!

That will help me on my journey!
 
Lots of discussion around shackle angles the last few days so I thought I would measure mine. The PO had this suspension installed. It's OME shocks and springs and the rear, rear spring hanger is moved a few inches. I therefore assume this is the Cruiser Outfitters 70 series kit that they sell for the 55. If I'm interpreting the "needs to be between 45 and 90 degrees" comments correctly, then I am within that range.

Please forgive my sloppy laptop mouse freehand edits. First photo is the driver's front spring. Second is driver's rear.

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Shackles Rear edit 1.JPEG
 
Lots of discussion around shackle angles the last few days so I thought I would measure mine. The PO had this suspension installed. It's OME shocks and springs and the rear, rear spring hanger is moved a few inches. I therefore assume this is the Cruiser Outfitters 70 series kit that they sell for the 55. If I'm interpreting the "needs to be between 45 and 90 degrees" comments correctly, then I am within that range.

Please forgive my sloppy laptop mouse freehand edits. First photo is the driver's front spring. Second is driver's rear.

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Angles look great imo
 
Spent a bit of time in the shop today. Pulled a few items from around and under the dash including the aftermarket head unit wiring (see photo). That cleared up a bit of space in the confines of the dash. As seemingly sophisticated the install was on the head unit, amp, and speakers, all they did for inline splices was to cut the insulation, wrap the new wire, and use some electrical tape. I mean come on, there's crimp splices for exactly that situation.

At this point I have concluded that the front metal facia of the dash isn't removable; at least it isn't easily removed. I think the top and sides are pinch welded - like end of story. Would love to hear if I just need to yank harder.

I think I need to pull all the AC/ventilation assemblies and then tackle the wiring harness and windshield wipers. Pretty sure the engine bay will be easy compared to the dash area.

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I had to drill out all 5 of the cowl cover screws. I used the advice from @J Mack which worked very well for most of them but one wouldn't hold a screw after all was said and done. These are M4 screws going into a captive nut on the cowl. Distance from front of cowl metal to back of captive nut is about 7.6mm.

I'm assuming one of these M4 by 6mm helical kits would work just fine? It seems simple enough but I have no experience with these so I though I would take a moment to ask if anyone has any advice.

 
I think you want to use nutserts (that's what I call them anyways) if you are going into sheet metal.
Take a picture of the area.
Upon closer inspection I think you are correct. I can only access the backside of the center one and had incorrectly assumed, without looking, that they were largish captive nuts. They are not. They are the thin ones that are little more than a threaded sleeve with an oval flat piece tacked to the sheet metal. I have an assortment of nutserts and have used them many times. Thanks as always!

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Spot weld T-nuts..
iu

Yes dill out and use a nutsert with the proper grip range.
Or even just tack a weld in there and re-drill & tap 🤷🏼‍♂️
 
Didn't make it down to the shop until around noon yesterday but had a very productive 3 hours. I can actually see the end of this process now.

I tackled the A/C and heater units which is something I had been putting off for a few days. Like many of these seemingly difficult tasks, it wasn't as bad as I thought when all was said and done. Also finally pulled the front seat with some help from my son. Didn't quite get everything out yesterday. I still need to get the heater hoses disconnected from the front heater. After that I will move over and finish up the steering column followed by the 3 pedal assemblies.

I plan on pulling the steering tube and firewall cover off and then removing the shaft from the yoke that it's attached to on the engine bay side. Looks like a one bolt deal but I'm guessing it won't be that easy to get that shaft to let go.


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