1971 Charger R/T gauge cluster removal

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The car is restored but the gauges aren't perfect. Is it that difficult to remove just the gauge cluster?

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Quote:

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The car is restored but the gauges aren't perfect. Is it that difficult to remove just the gauge cluster?

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No, it's not that bad. Here's a quick summary:

1. Disconnnect battery.

2. As an option, take out the driver's seat so you can lay down looking up at the dash from underneath.

2. Undo steering column bolts to firewall and then the nuts on studs off that face down towards the floor. Basicallythese two studs are pointing up towards the speedometer.

3. Remove the radio and support bracket.

4. Remove screws holding cluster in place, six if I remember right. Two on top, one on each side and two on the bottom, near the studs described in step 2.

5. Disconnect the speedometer cable, it's a white plastic connector with a tab that you hold down to release so you can pull it off the speedometer head.

6. Disconnect the heater control, two nuts if I remember right, and let it down out of the way.

7. Disconnect the wiper switch connector and headlight switch connector.

8. Disconnect all the gauge wires from the back of the cluster, try to label each one so you know where it goes back. Be very careful with the alternator gauge leads, that's why I mentioned disconnecting the battery first.

9. Cluster should be free to take out.

Try to take pictures as you go along, especially of the guage wires and definitely the alternator gauge leads. When you're putting it back together, make sure those leads are secure, you don't want those working loose.

Take your time and with pictures, putting it back together will be fairly smooth.

Good luck,

Mike.

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I pulled the dash about a dozen times on the super bee. As explained it covers everything except I would add one thing...step 2 is NOT an option! Your back will thank you!

The only other thing I would consider would be to actually pull the whole dash which is easier to do. After dropping the column you can unscrew the 4 screws that hold the frame in along the top of the dash by the windshield. then loosen the bolts that attach the sides. swing the dash out in one piece and reach back and disconnect as you go. It sounds scary, but is actually pretty simple once you get going. Heck that's how they got in the car to begin with!