Dashpad light wiring issue

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JustJay

JustJay

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Aug 13, 2021
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Location
Williams Bay
Running into issues getting the light on my dashpad installed.

Details-

Im in the process of reassembling the dash on my 72’ 40. I transplanted a clean stock 72’ dash (dont know month) on my May 72’ ride. Went to install the upper dashpad (guessing it’s a 72’ as it came with my 40 but who knows). I am stumped about where to run the wiring for the light. I don’t see a hole in the upper dash for the 2 wires. Am I missing something? See photos.

Wondering if the dash / pad is not an exact era match.? Any advice as to where / how to run the wires? I suppose I could drill a small hole behind the dashpad but I’ve gone through such pains to transplant an undrilled dash that it’d kill me to be the one to drill a hole.

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Radio opening and dash light started at the same time. That's the easiest way to tell if you had a dash light. That date was 9/72. In the early 1980s I installed a 78 dash in my my 68. Ran a wire to one of the instrument cluster lights. May drilled a hole for the wire or found an empty hole, I don't remember.
 
So, looks like I’ve got a 5/72 dash & harness (no elec for light) but a post 5/72 pad that somehow got connected with this vehicle. Helpful to know. Just have to decide where to go from here….
 
Your truck did not have the light in 72 as mentioned … but… its a fine upgrade

Not all markets came with that light some dashes used to have a cover that went in place of the light

Finding the cover, however, would be a little bit more challenging than just installing the dash and just not having it light
 
JustJay said:
So, looks like I’ve got a 5/72 dash & harness (no elec for light) but a post 5/72 pad that somehow got connected with this vehicle. Helpful to know. Just have to decide where to go from here….
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Drilling a hole won’t detract from anything, hit the raw steel with a bit of self etching primer on a small paint brush and it won’t ever rust. Tape and a center punch are your friends here.
 
Agreed. Thinking for now, I’ll drill the hole & send wires into dash. At least hole will be totally hidden by pad. I can put the pad on & tip windshield back up. Then, can tackle retrofitting wiring later.
 
Check to see if the holes for the grab bar used in markets that didn't get a padded dash. One would be above to the left of the glovebox door high enough so the padded dash would cover it. If it's there add a long length of wire and tuck it in the hollow part of the padded over to the hole.

This is a 73 dash from the back side. Can see the two holes inside the brackets with the threaded tubes for the screws against bottom of the padded dash.
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Run the wire behind the dash to one of the two instrument cluster lights if your not wanting to cut any wire the run thru the firewall to the terminal on the right fender and figure which wire is for the clearance light on the right apron.
 
Living in the Past said:
Check to see if the holes for the grab bar used in markets that didn't get a padded dash. One would be above to the left of the glovebox door high enough so the padded dash would cover it. If it's there add a long length of wire and tuck it in the hollow part of the padded over to the hole.

This is a 73 dash from the back side. Can see the two holes inside the brackets with the threaded tubes for the screws against bottom of the padded dash.
View attachment 3635098
Run the wire behind the dash to one of the two instrument cluster lights if your not wanting to cut any wire the run thru the firewall to the terminal on the right fender and figure which wire is for the clearance light on the right apron.
Click to expand...
No such luck in my case but would certainly work for those whose dash has those holes.
 
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