I have my car is on a rotisserie and am working on the interior and underside. The car is apart except for the glass, headliner, and dash frame. I don't want to pull the windshield to get the dash frame out. Has anyone done this on a 70 B body? In searching threads most people say pull the glass, but I saw someone that said he's done it with the windshield in many times.
The dash frame is painted fine but I want better access to the upper firewall and dash underside. Again, I don't want to pull the windshield. Exterior paint is really good and don't want to risk anything in that area.

I have only read about someone that slotted the screw from inside and backed them out that way.
not sure how you would get them back in tight, but I suppose it could be done.

or worst case you can back them off enough to cut the head off and then put screws back in from the other direction to hold it. or nuts and bolts instead of screws.

Hmm, I was wondering about the slot thing, but I don't see how a little cutting wheel would made it in there. Maybe cut and grind the bottom off? Maybe tack weld some nut washers to the dash fame before putting it back in? There must be a better way than removing the glass.

Cut the fasteners with a 3" cutoff tool. Get some shorter screws and new u-nuts. Put the nuts on the dash and put the new shorter screws in from the bottom to reinstall.

With that said, I'm not sure I understand doing a rotisserie job and leaving the windshield in...

are you trying to save the gasket? I don't get it.

No, not trying to save the gasket. When I bought this car it had a new paint job. Pretty nice, but the car was only made to look good as the former owner only had limited funds. I've redone most every system on the car (badly needed) but I don't want to go anywhere near the paint with a trim tool. Mostly because I've never done windshield stuff before. That being said, if I can avoid it, why do it? There's no rust there as that work was previously done and I can do everything else I need to do on the rotisserie.

I had a professional glass guy come to my shop to pull the windshield in my Duster. It took him less than 5 minutes to pull the trim and push the glass out. He left the lower trim and the gasket in place so it would go right back in once I replaced the dash. He never even got close to the paint.

It's not a big deal pulling out the glass.

I made the mistake of installing the windshield and trim when the car came back to the bodyshop prior to installing my dash, I posted the same question and got the same responses. I REALLY didn't want to pull the glass back out so I searched for an alternative and eventually just got the glass guy back and took the windshield out.

That all having been said, I do recall one or two people claiming to have done it. I searched again, but can't find any reference to it. IIRC, they made a special tool to remove the hex head screws but I think they cut them because they are too long to take out with the windshield in place. When they re-installed the dash, they used short 1/2" screws in place of the factory ones.

It really was a no-brainer in my case because my gasket was new and it was pretty easy to pop out the window once the trim was removed, but if yours is original, I understand the hesitation.

I guess the real question is; how badly do you need the dash out? is it more of a pain to work with it in place or to go to the huge hassle of trying the above procedure? ....then you need to weigh that against the risk of chipping/scratching the paint when the trim is removed.

good luck,

Dave

I am working on my 70 Sport Satellite . . . I totally disassembled the car for the body shop. Don't know how you would be able to get to the screws that are in the front of the dash. They are located underneath the windshield gasket and the hence the chrome trim. I know that I have to install the dash, headliner and vinyl top all prior to putting in the windshield and rear window.

Hope that helps . . .

Cheers,

Mark

I certainly could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time!), but IIRC, if you lift the rubber flap at the front of the dash inside the car, you will see the screw heads.



sorry; couldn't find a better pic.

Dave

Took me about 45 minutes to get the dash frame out without pulling the glass. I don't see a problem with putting it in either. I will put my u clips on the dash frame, slide it in, then put the bolts in from the bottom. The clips are hidden by the gasket. They are not under the windshield. I don't see why Mopar didn't do it that way.

Yeah, I should have said shorter screws for those that may be watching. Good idea you gave me earlier in the thread, thanks. I hadn't seen one of these apart. Agreed on the factory reasoning. Why would they ever contemplate removing this? Good point.