INTERIOR

Instrument Panel/Dashboard

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Each dashboard uses a variety of nuts and bolts of different sizes and lengths. Correct cataloging and reinstallation is required if the dash is to be free of annoying squeaks and rattles. Additionally, wires and hoses should be labeled at the time of removal. The amount of time saved during reassembly makes the extra effort well worthwhile. Removal of the dash is a complicated, time consuming task. Do not attempt this procedure if you are not comfortable with extended projects. Additional helpful information may be found in other parts of this book dealing with specific assemblies. For example, if not certain how to remove the radio, refer to "Radio Removal and Installation'' in this section.

Pick-Up

1983–86 MODELS

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the tilt wheel lock and lower the wheel to the lowest position.
3. Remove the steering wheel.
4. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers.
5. Remove the instrument cluster. Disconnect the gauge wiring and the speedometer cable. Once the cluster is out, remove the single screw in the upper center of the mounting space in the dashboard.
6. Remove the radio; disconnect the diesel indicator if so equipped.
7. Remove the glove box.
8. Remove the floor console and/or center console, depending on equipment
9. Remove the screws holding the center air outlet and remove the outlet.
10. Remove the ashtray. Remove the two screws holding the ashtray holder. Slide the holder (bracket) into the dash and remove it.
11. Remove the 4 screws from the bottom of the dash. Two are located under the glovebox opening and two are located approximately under the dash light dimmer switch on the left side.
12. Reach in through the opening in the center of the dash and remove the nut at the rear of the dash. Make certain you identify the correct nut; it may be either a wing nut or a hex nut.
13. Reach just inside the glovebox opening and remove the screw from the lower inner surface of the dash.
14. From underneath the dash, release the 4 hex nuts holding the upper dash cover. Once the nuts are off, lift the cover up and off.
15. Remove the 5 screws and bolts from the top of the dashboard. Note the location of each type of fastener.
16. Work the dash away from its mounts. Disconnect the wiring harnesses behind the dash.
17. Remove the dash from the car.

    To install:

18. When reinstalling, place the dash in the car and connect the wiring harnesses, making certain none are stretched or pinched. Check that the air ducts align and match correctly.
19. Install 5 screws across the top; the screws with the washers go on the ends.
20. Fit the upper cover into place and install the nuts from below the dash.
21. Install the small screw on the inner lower edge of the glove box.
22. Reinstall the nut at the back of the dash.
23. Install the lone screw at the upper rear of the instrument cluster area.
24. Install the 4 screws, two on each side, across the bottom of the dash.
25. Slide the ashtray holder into place and install the screws. Install the ashtray.
26. Install the center air outlet.
27. Replace the glove box and tighten the screws.
28. Install the radio; connect the diesel indicator wiring if so equipped.
29. Install the instrument cluster; connect the wiring and the speedometer cable.
30. Install the steering column covers.
31. Elevate the tilt column and install the steering wheel.
32. Connect the negative battery cable.

1987–95 MODELS

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the hazard flasher switch.
3. Pop out the hole cover on the right side of the instrument hood.

   Fig. 1: Instrument panel (dashboard) removal and installation components

4. Remove the instrument hood.
5. Remove the instrument cluster, remembering to disconnect the wiring and speedometer cable at the rear.

   Fig. 2: Remove the four retaining screws to remove the meter hood

6. Remove the fusebox cover. Remove the fusebox from the dashboard and let it hang.
7. Remove the glove box. Move the stopper out of the way before lowering the door.
8. Remove the two defroster ducts.

   Fig. 3: To remove the glove box assembly, the glove box stopper must first be removed

   Fig. 4: Make certain to remove all of the instrument panel retaining screws before removing the panel

9. Label and disconnect the 3 control wires running to the heater unit.
10. Remove the speaker cover panels on each side.
11. Remove the clock or small compartment from the dash.
12. Pop out the small square cover at the upper center of the dash. Its easiest to reach in the clock hole and release the clips with your fingers.
13. Remove the lower center faceplate or cover from the center of the dash.
14. Remove the shifter knob.
15. Remove the floor console assembly.
16. Disconnect the left side and front harness connectors running to the dashboard.
17. Disconnect the air conditioner and heater wiring harnesses. Disconnect the instrument cluster harness and the radio connectors, including the antenna wire.
18. Remove the retaining nuts and bolts holding the dash. They are located across the top, along the sides and at the bottom.
19. Use the tilt release lever and move the steering column all the way downward.
20. Remove the dash carefully; several components are still connected to it.

    To install:

21. Place the dash into the vehicle carefully and connect the main electrical harnesses.
22. Install all the retaining nuts and bolts but do not tighten any of them until the alignment of the dash is correct.
23. Reinstall the floor console, the shifter knob and the lower center faceplate.
24. Install the upper bolt cover in the center of the dash.
25. Replace the clock or small pocket. Don't forget to plug wiring together.
26. Install the speaker covers.
27. Route the heater control cables properly and connect them. Refer to "Heater Core Removal and Installation'' for the correct alignment procedure.
28. Install the defroster ducts.
29. Install the glove box.
30. Remount the fusebox on the dash and install the lid.
31. Install the instrument cluster. Connect the speedometer cable and wiring harnesses before tightening the screws.
32. Install the instrument cluster hood and install the bolt cover.
33. Install the hazard warning switch.
34. Connect the negative battery cable.

Montero

1983–86 MODELS

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering wheel.
3. Remove the center console.
4. Remove the meter assembly. Carefully disconnect the wiring and speedometer cable.
5. Remove the gauge assembly and disconnect its wiring.
6. Remove the lap heater ducts below the dash and disconnect the release cable bracket from the dash.
7. Remove the heater control assembly. Label each cable as it is disconnected at the heater end.
8. Remove the fuse cover on the side of the dash. unscrew the mounting bolts and push the fuseblock into the dashboard.
9. Disconnect the wiring from the front speakers.
10. Remove the plug at the center of the instrument panel.
11. Remove the right and left side defroster grilles by gently prying on the mounting projections with a small flat tool. Be careful not to break the projections off.
12. Remove the glove box.
13. Disconnect the wiring from the heater relay.
14. Remove the mounting nuts and bolts and remove the instrument panel.

    To install:

15. Reinstall the dashboard and secure the mounting bolts.
16. Connect the heater relay wiring and install the glove box.
17. Install the side defroster grilles and the plug at the center of the dash.
18. Connect the front speaker wiring.
19. Position the fusebox and install its screws; install the cover.
20. Install the heater control assembly and connect the control cables. Refer to "Heater Core Removal and Installation'' for correct alignment of the cables.
21. Install the two lap heater ducts and install the hood release cable bracket.
22. Install the combination gauge unit and connect the wiring.
23. Install the instrument cluster. Connect the wiring and the speedometer cable.
24. Install the center console.
25. Install the steering wheel.
26. Connect the negative battery cable.

1987–91 MODELS

CAUTION
If removal of the steering wheel on a vehicle equipped with an air bag is planned, refer to the Supplemental Restraint System procedures in this Section 6 for instructions and warnings

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the lap heater air ducts under the left and right side dash.
3. Remove the hood release cable bracket from the dashboard.
4. Remove the left and right side defroster grilles. Use a small flat tool to raise the attaching projections. Don't break the tabs.

   Fig. 5: Use a prytool and a piece of rubber or a rag to remove the cluster rear cover

   Fig. 6: Remove the fuse box cover and the fuse box itself

   Fig. 7: Remove the retaining screws securing the instrument cluster

   Fig. 8: Removing the combination meter case from the instrument panel — 1987–91 Monteros

5. Remove the glove box.
6. Use a flat, padded tool to remove the rear cover from the instrument cluster.
7. Remove the instrument cluster. Disconnect the speedometer cable and the wiring harnesses to the back of the cluster.
8. Disconnect the wiring to each switch on the cluster. Label each as it is removed.
9. Remove the screws from the side of the combination meter unit and remove the cover.
10. Remove the 4 screws at the base of the combination meter and gently remove the meter. Disconnect the wire harnesses.

    Fig. 9: The center panel and all of its components will have to also be removed

    WARNING
    The inclinometer can be damaged by dropping or bumping it. Do not tilt the unit so far as to exceed the maximum indication on the scale. Resist the temptation to play with the unit.

11. Remove the center panel or lower console.
12. Disconnect the 3 heater control cables running to the heater unit. Label each one.

    Fig. 10: Unhook the heater control assembly cables from the heater control levers

13. Remove the center reinforcement and bring it out as a unit with the radio or stereo. Disconnect the wiring when the unit is free.

    Fig. 11: Remove all of the mounting bolts from the center reinforcement, then remove the reinforcement itself

    Fig. 12: After removing all of its mounting screws, remove the instrument panel from the vehicle

14. Remove the horn pad and remove the steering wheel.
15. Remove the fuse box cover and release the fusebox from the dashboard.
16. Remove the dashboard mounting nuts and bolts and remove the dashboard.

    To install:

17. When reinstalling, position the dash and start each nut and bolt. Make certain the dash is aligned and then tighten the fittings.
18. Install the fusebox assembly and its cover.
19. Install the steering wheel and horn pad.
20. Install the radio and center reinforcement. Connect the wiring before tightening the bolts.
21. Carefully route and connect the heater control cables. Refer to "Heater Core Removal and Installation'' for correct alignment of the cables.
22. Install center panel and secure the heater controls.
23. Install the combination gauges and connect the wiring.
24. Install the cover for the combination gauges.
25. Install the instrument cluster, connecting the speedometer cable and the many wiring connectors.
26. Install the cluster cover; make sure it is firmly seated in place.
27. Replace the glove box
28. Reinstall the side defroster grilles.
29. Connect the hood release cable bracket.
30. Install the two lap heater ducts.
31. Connect the negative battery cable.

1992–95 MODELS

CAUTION
When installing or removing the instrument panel, do not allow any impact or shock to the SRS diagnosis unit. Always disable the SRS system when working on or near the SRS components. Refer to Section 6 for SRS precautions.

1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable from the battery.
2. Wait at least 60 seconds after disconnecting the battery cable to make certain that the SRS is completely disarmed before servicing the vehicle.
3. Remove the floor console.
4. Remove the hood lock release and the fuel filler door lock release handles.
5. Loosen and remove the retaining screws, then the instrument under and corner covers.

   Fig. 13: Floor console removal and installation component locations — 1992–95 Monteros

   Fig. 14: Instrument panel removal and installation component locations — 1992–95 Monteros

6. Remove the glove box stopper and then the glove box.
7. Unscrew the mounting screws and remove the center panel A.
8. Extract the heater control assembly.
9. Take the radio and tape player out.
10. Pop the meter hood plug out, then remove the meter bezel assembly by loosening and removing the mounting screws.
11. Remove the screws holding the combination meter (instrument cluster) in place and extract the meter.
12. Disconnect and remove the speedometer cable adapter. First disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission end of the cable, then remove the lock of the speedometer cable adapter from the instrument panel. Pull the speedometer cable slightly toward the vehicle interior, then remove the speedometer cable adapter.
13. Remove the four screws holding the column cover in place, then remove the cover itself.
14. Remove the clock or clock plug.
15. Remove the side defroster garnish, the door mirror control switch, the front speaker, the rheostat, the rear wiper and washer switch and the door lock switch.
16. Disconnect the ventilation control wire and the wiring harness.
17. Unscrew the steering column installation bolts.
18. Unscrew all the retaining screws holding the dashboard (instrument panel assembly) in place and remove the assembly.

    To install:

19. Hold the instrument panel the assembly in position and secure it in place with its mounting screws.
20. Tighten the steering column installation bolts and plug the harness connector back together.
21. To install the ventilation control wire, set the cool air bypass dial to the closed position. Close the cool air bypass lever at the heater unit side (lever is lightly hit against the stopper). Install the ventilation control wire and secure it with the clip.
22. Install the door lock switch, the rear wiper and washer switch, the rheostat, the front speaker, the door mirror control switch, the side defroster garnish, the clock or clock plug and the column cover.
23. Hook the speedometer cable adapter back up the back of the combination meter (instrument cluster).
24. Install the combination meter, the meter bezel assembly and the meter hood plug.
25. hook the radio and tape player back up and install them in the dashboard.
26. Install the heater control assembly, center panel A, the glove box assembly and the glove box stopper.
27. Install the instrument under and corner covers, the fuel filler door lock release handle and the hood lock release handle.
28. Install the floor console.
29. Connect the negative (-) battery cable to the battery and enable the SRS.