Dash removal for new dash install

[musthave]

Dashboard is cracked in 3 places and needs to be replaced. Bought a brand new OEM dashboard and ready to begin.

A few questions:

1. FSM bo-55. It says to remove steering wheel and column. Does anyone know if this is absolutely necessary? I don’t have a steering wheel puller so I was just curious.

2. Does the passenger side airbag need to be fully removed?

Any “while you’re in there” suggestions?

 

[jynx]

I can't say on the airbag as I have a 91, but when I did mine I pulled the steering wheel.

It has been a long time, so I honestly can't say if it is necessary, but if you can get a puller, it will probably make life easier having it out of the way.

Also on the "while your in there" on mine the fan speed control switch is deep in the middle and requires the dash to be removed to replace, so I did that. Aside from that, and especially since yours likely has the electric controls, then I can't offer much.

Take your time and good luck.

 

[bigredmachine]

you can probably get with leaving he steering wheel in but youll need to unbolt the steering column to allow it to drop. personally I have never needed a steering wheel puller, I undo the nut for the steering wheel and give it a few good hits with my hands in the 3 and 9 o clock position and itll come loose.

yes and no with the passenger air bag. you will need to unbolt it from the crash bar to remove the dash and itll come out with the dash. then youll have to swap it to the new dash. I don't have any experience with that particular dash but its usually straight forward to get the air bag out.

take your time getting it out and itll help to have someone else when you take it out and reinstall the new one

 

[retrofive]

IMHO you're so far in may as well remove the steering wheel, that probably is the easiest part. No puller needed in my case.

 

[musthave]

IMHO you're so far in may as well remove the steering wheel, that probably is the easiest part. No puller needed in my case.

Thanks, great suggestions. So no puller needed, that was my concern.

 

[tacosupreme]

How much did the OEM dash cost? I need to do mine as well.

 

[cme4lyt]

Take you time !!! If you’re getting frustrated, walk away otherwise you will break something.

Just this week, I replaced head units in my 91 and 97 and those dash jobs are so frustrating. Be patient, take your time, don’t rush, walk away if you need to.....

 

[musthave]

How much did the OEM dash cost? I need to do mine as well.

I paid $625. It’s worth it.

 

[deltapine1]

Wiring harness behind passenger side speaker cover (metal dash brace cuts into it over time in 95-97 airbag models). Put some wire loom or rubber around it and inspect it for wires with damage. It will save you!

Swap all the itsy bitsy tiny switch light bulbs and dash bulbs to LED. There is a thread on it.

Clean A/C coil by separating box halves and using coil cleaner. It will drain out the firewall nicely and allow you to drain it. If you just wanted to it would be a grand time to replace the heater core.

New Toyota A/C & heater fan motor

Remove RS3000 alarm junk.

Install front and rear back up cameras and run wires to head unit area. Install new double DIN head unit w/ microphone and blue tooth.

Pretty much doing this now and sharing my list.

 

[musthave]

Wiring harness behind passenger side speaker cover (metal dash brace cuts into it over time in 95-97 airbag models). Put some wire loom or rubber around it and inspect it for wires with damage. It will save you!

Swap all the itsy bitsy tiny switch light bulbs and dash bulbs to LED. There is a thread on it.

Clean A/C coil by separating box halves and using coil cleaner. It will drain out the firewall nicely and allow you to drain it. If you just wanted to it would be a grand time to replace the heater core.

New Toyota A/C & heater fan motor

Remove RS3000 alarm junk.

Install front and rear back up cameras and run wires to head unit area. Install new double DIN head unit w/ microphone and blue tooth.

Pretty much doing this now and sharing my list.

Wow, some great suggestions! Might as well fix the dash bulbs. Alarm, yes. Thank you!

 

[Malleus]

I just did this last week.

I'd suggest:
1. Removing the DS seat
2. Removing the steering column, but not the wheel. After you disconnect the DS airbag and IG sw, there are two bolts and two nuts which attach the column to the dash. There are two nuts, bolts and lock/flat washers which connect the column to the output shaft. TAkes fives minutes to remove and is well worth the time.
3.Put these in containers, so you don't lose any:

4. Removing the PS airbag (takes 5 minutes)
5. Use this:

Or the specific version for your model (I don't think they're different)

 

[Azca]

Agree with the coil, at least pull and clean. If you are upgrading your head unit it would be a good time. Speakers too.

 

[Bella1992]

Did the swap myself. Removed all interior from one and installed in my current. Also did dynamat under the carpets. I chose to ignore the headliner but dash, door cards, carpeting, even seatbelts were swamped! I just went slowly and everything worked out fine

 

[musthave]

Finallly... got it out.

 

[Azca]

That looks pretty clean for being 20+ years old.

 

[musthave]

Under 100K

 

[Malleus]

Next time (!), pull the DS seat and steering column. Wayyyy easier.

 

[TNOverlander]

@musthave any idea how long it took you? I got a new dash pad for mine and I'm trying to get motivated to dig in... Anything you wish you'd done differently?

 

[White Stripe]

Good idea to replace the evaporator and expansion valve.

 

[musthave]

@musthave any idea how long it took you? I got a new dash pad for mine and I'm trying to get motivated to dig in... Anything you wish you'd done differently?

It took about 3 hours of actual time to remove, about 2 to install. Hardest piece is a screw on the right that is inserted from back to front. 90 degree phillips. Nothing hard, tedious but not hard. Evaporator and expansion valve while you're at it.