I'm working on my 54 and was looking at removing the dash, hoping it would be easier to work on.
Is that possible? I pulled the trim strip off that runs under the windshield and felt around but is seems like it's part of the firewall. Can you remove the dash without cutting?

Not on my '53. The 54s are likely the same. I see your point about it being easier to work on, though.

All AD and ND dashes are spot welded in and are part of the structure.

To remove the dashboard,it will have to be cut out.
Sawzall, torch, air chizel,,etc.........
Theyre spot welded in all the way around,and in some places welded solid.
On a 54 if you remove the gauge cluster,speedo,heater and glove box youll have plenty of room to work under there.
On 47-53 you can also remove the radio delete plate(or radio)and the speaker grille along with the above mentioned other parts for plenty of access.
Have fun.......................

Yeah, thanks. 6'4" with big hands. Looking forward to it.

Take out the seat or the rear window so you can put your feet through the window opening while your back is on the seat and your knees rest on the top of the seat back; your neck along the leading edge of the seat while your face is under the dash. Or find a youngster who is more limber and shorter...

I rebuilt my gauge clusters last week, my neck is still sore from removing and replacing them. It's a job for a contortionist. Good luck

The gauges were the last thing removed from my cab on dis-assembly and the first thing back in on reassembly. Remove all the rest of the truck and they will still be hard to get at.

One other way not mentioned here is you can remove the cowl vent and gain access that way. On 54 it actually works pretty good and you can reach in. You don't have to remove the arm only the vent if you want. The down side is the 5 small bolts often break if they have not been sprayed with penetrating oil the day before.It is also helpful to remove the seat and frame to do this job you get a lot more room.
47-53 guages have a 4 small nuts on each gauge, 54-55 has small pan nuts and only three on each gauge holding them in.

I don't this it has been mentioned above (but this mentioned in old posts on this subject), your back will appreciate the pedals being disconnected (if possible), so they can drop to the floor.

Tim