Dash pad replacement on my 78 FJ40

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Gusb

Gusb

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
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Redwood City, CA
After a search for info on dash pad replacement, and almost tearing my old pad apart trying to get it off, :o I thought this post might possibly help someone out. The stock dash on a cruiser has always been one of my favorite things about these old vehicles, and I just invested in a new main top pad (OEM) and finally found the lower right pad (missing in PO action) used, on-line (it's on the UPS truck).

Pulled the knobs and the main lower screws (the ones you can see) on the old top pad and I guess I thought it would just pop up and off. Other posts refer to using a screwdriver to slide in and disengage the hidden retaining clips - that wasn't working for me. I pulled around a bit on my pad, tried to find/see the hidden clips and it seemed like it was coming free for a while. What I was really doing was force-pulling the hidden mounting screws (9 ea) out of the pad, where the angled clip-strip was joined to the pad.

The most important thing seems to be folding down the windshield, so you can actually see what's going on. In my case the hardtop's hardware was already out, so I pushed up the front hardtop, folded the windshield down and let the top fall back in place. Once in there I could see the sheet metal screws holding the clip-strip to the pad and how it was locked in place. Used a small angle-screwdriver to remove these screws and the pad came right off (unplug the center light). You can then easily remove the angle strip with its integral locking clips (and see how they work). Mount the angle strip to the new pad (or back to the old one) and whole thing is ready to snap back in place as a unit on reassembly. It seems like a one way thing to me - made to push/snap on, but not to just pop off. Kind of impressive, I didn't expect so much going on backside to just mount the pad.
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Where did you get the top pad from and how much
 
You don't have to remove those screws to remove the pad. The metal piece you removed them from should come out with it. Your screwdriver should lever between the metal piece you show and the slots mounted to the dash. In fact, after doing dozens of dash pad replacements, I've never removed them.
 
X2 on never having to having to remove these last screws or fold the windshield down to get the dash pad off.

What I want to know is how you were able to fold your windshield flat with the hardtop on. You had to have lifted the top ~2" to clear the top of the windshield frame.
 
Thanks for posting this helpful info. Eventually, I'll be replacing the one on my '78.
 
Dieseler said:
Where did you get the top pad from and how much
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From Toyota, under $400 with a small break. A few guys around here (Bay Area) seem to be buying up what Toyota has left and charging $500+ (and saying they are discontinued at Toyota).

"dgangle X2 What I want to know is how you were able to fold your windshield flat with the hardtop on. You had to have lifted the top ~2" to clear the top of the windshield frame. "
Surprised me too - piece of cake (by myself) - I lifted one side, then lifted the other with one hand and pulled down the windshield (and I'm only working with 8 fingers :)).

Dieseler said:
Michael Hanson I remember when my son and I removed his, it was hard to get off because crud was all around it from years of 4 wheeling.
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And if you're putting a new pad on, you need to remove that old strip anyway to attach it to the new pad. I've not seen tons of FJ40 dash pads, but I've seen one with a dash pad that rattled at the top. Mine was "factory tight" until I went pulling on it. My point is why pry around on the clips with the windshield up - if it can come apart easily with the windshield down and no stress on the pad? Pull hard enough and the metal that's bonded to the pad material will begin to come loose.
 
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On one of the trucks that I replaced the dash pad, I used the glue on dash cap and that turned out okay, but I prefer the original. On another, I used the reproduction pad that was made out of hard rubber - that one was extremely durable and was, in my opinion, visually indistinguishable from the factory pad....and the price was about the same. I think I got the rubber one from MAF, but I can't remember...maybe it was SOR - are they even still available?
 
Thanks for sharing. I'll be doing the same this summer loosen the top and fold down the windshield to route some wires for my overhead console.
 
I'm a satisfied customer of fj40dash very well made and prompt delivery. I purchased upper and lower dash.

Apologies for hijacking the thread but does anyone know the size of the small screws that hold the upper pad to the dash?

Thanks,
John
 
I also lowered my windshield without completely removing the top. You do have to remove the attaching bolts from the forward section of the top and remove or almost completely remove the side bolts holding the top almost all the way to the rear. Then put some wood blocks to hold the top up about even with where the back of the seats are. The top can actually flex a little at the front to accomplish the windshield lowering. I would not recommend removing the attaching screws on the dash pad unless you absolutely have to. The threads are probably mostly stripped already. Make a tool that will lift the clips that hold the pad to the metal dash. I am still waiting for fjgoober to remove his logo before I order one of his pads. In truth, if I had not already painted the dash on my 40, I would completely remove the metal shelf where the pad mounts and keep the area a lot cleaner looking. That padded dash would be useless in a collision anyway. JMO.

Doug
 
Wow I wanted to replace my dash pad but after refurbishing my hardtop, headliner, etc.....and all the cash I spent on new OEM seals, the idea of having to lower the front windshield is not appealing at all. Guess I will be living with my original cracked unit.
 
dgangle said:
X2 on never having to having to remove these last screws or fold the windshield down to get the dash pad off.

What I want to know is how you were able to fold your windshield flat with the hardtop on. You had to have lifted the top ~2" to clear the top of the windshield frame.
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Old post… but any tips/tricks for removing the dashpad without folding down the windshield? Even if it means destroying the dashpad in the process, I’ll be installing a new one. Thank you.
 
Don't fear lifting your roof 3" so that the windshield can tip forward. From what I recall, the dash pad hits the angled defroster bits and simply cannot be made to slide upward. So, unbolt your hardtop just enough to lift it a little and tip the windshield frame forward. Use wood blocks under the roof-to-body junction to keep the roof from sliding back downward as you work. 1 banana job. And while the windshield is tilted forward, you can vacuum out the dirt, inspect for rust, etc.
 
I removed all the bolts holding the top on along with looseneing the set bolts in the B pillar, then raised the top enuff to slide a 2x4's between the top and tub. From there you can tilt the w/s down. There's no guarantee the windshield will fold down, the hinges maybe rusted and may not want to move. I would be soaking them with PB Blaster or something now. You can destroy the old dash, but there is still a few screws that need to be removed and installed between the w/s frame and dash.
 
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Big thanks to all the thread contributors.
Me today: Exact same issues. Exact same questions.
Answers I needed.

Adding loosening the hard top bolts for the first time in decades to the project list.
Putting the old screws back in the old dash until the hard top bolt project is done.
At least I can start putting Kroil on hinges and bolts now.
 
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