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Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
#748250 May 10th 2019 1:31 pm
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Hey all,
After a hard, cold winter I started the van up and got it nice and hot when my coolant hose going into the engine burst. After replacing it with a new hose, I noticed antifreeze leaking on the passenger side floor mat. After some talking with a mechanic friend he suggested that I need a new heater core and was quoted around $1000 CDN for parts and time.

Being the frugal person I am I figured I could take the dash off myself, order a new heater core (~$140) and put in in myself, with a little help from my mechanic friend.

What I'm stuck on and what my Haynes manual doesn't cover (in depth) is how exactly to remove the dashboard. I've taken all visible screws off plus the underside bolts on both sides and the dash visibly moves but not enough to access the heater core. It feels like something around the steering column is in the way, but I've taken apart everything that seems to be in the way. The manual also suggested lowering the steering column, but I can't find out how to do that anywhere online.

I'm handy, but no mechanic, so I feel like I've reached my limit in what I feel comfortable removing without further instructions.

Pics
[img]https://imgur.com/KuAT5fE[/img]
[img]https://imgur.com/fwbdQ4P[/img]
[img]https://imgur.com/Dti6UgC[/img]


1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Finch #748251 May 10th 2019 2:02 pm
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I posted about all this last year but dont remember which thread so here is a quick recap.

Remove doghouse cover. Remove radio. Remove gauges. Remove headlight switch, there is a litttle button to push on the side of the switch but is only accessible after removing gauges. Push that button while pulling and turning the light switch and it should pop out. Remove both sides A-pillar trim if your van has these. Drop steering column but not all the way (prolly less than 1") by loosening the two bolts under the dash. They are easy to see so just take another look. If you have a tilt column, tilt the wheel so the upper part gets closer to the driver, lower part kicks in toward dash. Remove transmission indicator from column ( 2 screws). Make sure all dash screws are completely out. Get a helper and wiggle dash a bit and you will see where it is hanging up, prolly at the column. Be very careful and slowly slide dashup and over column.

I did it having never done it before and it wasnt too bad. Replaced heater core and got everything back together in about 6 hours. Good luck.

Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Finch #748252 May 10th 2019 2:05 pm
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I posted before I saw your photos. Your gonna have to remove that light switch cuz the wiring is not long enough to allow removal with it in place. Remove tranny indicator. Lower the column. You are almost there....

Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
1959 #748254 May 10th 2019 2:28 pm
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Hey Thanks for replying!! I'll try removing the light switch + tranny indicator + lower the column and get back to you. I really appreciate the help


1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
1959 #748255 May 10th 2019 2:46 pm
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Originally Posted by 1959
Drop steering column but not all the way (prolly less than 1") by loosening the two bolts under the dash. They are easy to see so just take another look..


These dudes?
https://imgur.com/eM9za1J


1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Finch #748256 May 10th 2019 4:16 pm
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Yep and you can see you cant drop it too far. I dropped as far as I could but still kept nuts on bolts

Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
Finch #748260 May 10th 2019 8:29 pm
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Make sure you don't have a bad hose or clamp to the heater core before you go through the trouble. You can buy a garden hose adapter with a barbed end and pressure test it with the garden hose, Back flow it (to flush) and plug the other end. Remember any spray of water may show on the floor.

Re: Removing Dashboard 1983 GMC Vandura 2500
jcd74 #748275 May 11th 2019 1:13 pm
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That's what my mechanic friend said. it could just be a hose clamp not working, but I've tightened all of them as tight as I feel comfortable and i've still got a leak... I'm pretty stumped right now


1983 GMC Vandura 2500

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