The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors How do I get my guages out on a '52?

My next major project will be to reface my working gauges on my '52 half-ton. I have searched here and found directions on how to do the actual refinish once the gauges are removed. I am just curious how to go about removing them. I took a long look under there today, and it appears that I will need to remove my ignition switch and my speaker grill in order to get access. Can anyone shed any more light on this? And, how does that switch and grill come off?

Thanks,
daveboy

This is a tight fit but you do not have to remove the ignition switch or the speaker grill to remove the gauges. Three or four small nuts hold the gauges to the dash. A big comfort when I did this was a cushion for my back to cover the brake & clutch pedals as I was upside down under the dash. Another aid was a flexable extension for my small ratchet. Tag/mark/make a diagram of your wires when you remove them for easy reassembly.
RdsLessTaken/Don

http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/RdLessTaken/library/

I don't like laying on my back under the dash, wedged in between the brake and clutch peddles. It may seem like more work, but I'd suggest removing the speaker grille, and even the steering column brace, anything to make the job easier. This will give you a straight shot at the (4) nuts that hold each guage. Take a pic of the wire loom, disconnect the battery.
Phil

I like using a nut driver on the nuts. I also suggest removing the speedometer first as its easy to disconnect and get out. Then you can work some through the speedo hole to get to the gauges.

I think I mentioned it before but when I put mine back in I put pigtails on the gauges and had it all wired up when I put it back in. Then, just plug the pigtails to the other wires.

Since I've had my gauges in and out multiple time recently, I got used to standing outside the door and reaching up under the dash. I used a 1/4" drive ratchet, short extension and 3/8" socket.

When completely disassembling my truck for restoration, for the life of me, I could not figure out how to remove the steering column brace. So, it was the only bolt in part that stayed put. The brace wont move reward to disengage studs from firewall. Can't move it sideways to disengage studs. Can't move it up to disengage studs...you get the idea.