FJ40 Dash Pad Removal ?

[VA Mountain FJ40]

There are 'prongs' behind the dashpad, on the metal extension plate of the dashboard that the pad sits on. You need to pry up on them to release the pad. To do this, the windshield frame needs to be folded down.

Sure you still want to do it?

Best

Mark A.

D’oh!!! Curses.. Rats. Fooey. Awww maaan…

I’m in the same boat. With a hard top and a new dash waiting to go on. Same problem.
This post is 18 years old and still is painfully helpful. Not the answer I wanted but definitely an answer I needed. Ouch.
Thanks for your work.

Even if I found a way to remove the old one in pieces, does the windshield still need to be down for installation? Is there hope?

Looks like my hard top hasn’t been off in decades. Might be wise just to put the screws back in and wait til I’m ready to tackle hard top removal. Too much going on now to open that can of worms.

I appreciate any help or confirmation… but I fear I might be JIS screwed.

Chip
VA Mtn FJ40

 

[VA Mountain FJ40]

The PO had removed the dash pad yrs b4 I bought the 40. B4 I started working on other things, i sprayed the hinges with rust penetrant. I knew I'll evetually have to lower the windshield to replace the dash pad and the doors. You'll have to scroll to the beginning of the thread.

That thread gave me the answers I needed. Thank you for the link.

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. Prop front with 2x4, lower windshield, access clips for dash removal. Got it.

At least I can start putting Kroil on hinges and hard top bolts today.

Mud… y’all really helped me out here. I really appreciate this resource. I could be spending hours in the shop busting knuckles and tearing up sh*t and getting nothing done. Now I’ve got a plan. Thank you all.

Chip
VA Mtn FJ40

 

[65swb45]

That thread gave me the answers I needed. Thank you for the link.

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. Prop front with 2x4, lower windshield, access clips for dash removal. Got it.

At least I can start putting Kroil on hinges and hard top bolts today.

Mud… y’all really helped me out here. I really appreciate this resource. I could be spending hours in the shop busting knuckles and tearing up sh*t and getting nothing done. Now I’ve got a plan. Thank you all.

Chip
VA Mtn FJ40

If it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere, you have a unique opportunity while the windshield is down to drill an unobtrusive hole into the center portion of the hinge plate, using a stop on the drill bit to control depth, so that you can lubricate the hinge.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I took my 72's bad shape dash pad out a long time ago. I have never had my cab off or the windshield down. I don't remember having any issues but maybe it was because it was in such bad shape.

 

[VA Mountain FJ40]

I took my 72's bad shape dash pad out a long time ago. I have never had my cab off or the windshield down. I don't remember having any issues but maybe it was because it was in such bad shape.

Good to know. Were you able to install a new replacement? How did it go?

THanks,
Chip

 

[charliemeyer007]

No I haven't put it back on. I was going to recover it in tanned elk leather after I did my driver seat. Still have the elk leather and the dash pad.