Has anyone ever.....

[chebbyfan]

I'm wanting to replace the dash in my 98 K1500 and need to know how difficult this will really be. My dash is cracking out in the defroster area pretty bad and want to really replace with the 96 dash with the cupholders in place of the passenger airbag, but don't know how hard it would be. Please help

[someotherguy]

The 95-up dash is a freaking PITA to remove and reinstall; it's a lot more work than 88-94. Still, I pulled two and re-installed one, in one night, though I made up a bunch of new cuss words doing it. Probably the hardest part is getting the harness bundle undone from the driver's side.

The so-called cupholders on the passenger side of the 95-96 dash are almost completely useless, unless you enjoy constantly spilling drinks. You might stick with the passenger airbag style dash, and get the storage pocket that came on the heavier trucks. Hit the boneyards, or grab one from LMC.

If you change from one style of dash to the other, be sure to get the black plastic A/C ductwork from behind it; it's different. Doesn't look like it at first glance, but trust me, it is.

Richard

[BHB]

The 95-up dash is a freaking PITA to remove and reinstall; it's a lot more work than 88-94.

:word:

[baggedchevy81]

yeah my dad runs a shop weve put cabs on a couple rolled trucks 95 and up and changing the dashes is a huge pain

[oldred95]

Can't imagine the 88-94's being much easier.

It took me a weekend to put mine in. I broke the dash clear out on my 95 and it dropped down at least an inch and shook so bad it just wasn't drivable like that. I got a brand new aftermarket but looks as good or better then GM quality 97+ dash off ebay for 175 shipped and it was even red like my interior. The steering column has to come out, or at least down but I prefer out to keep crap out of my way. I think I pulled the seats and console just to prevent ripping or scratching anything. The cluster, radio, HVAC controls, glove box, things like that have to come out. There is a little bit of wiring to unhook but not a lot really. The three screws up along the defrost vents and a bolt on either end going from the bottom up are all that hold it on IIRC. I think there may be a bolt or two up above the steering column that bolts it to the firewall in some way. Other then that I really don't remember anything else holding it in which is probably why they break. Its a lot harder then I made it sound which is why it took me so long but it wasn't too bad. The only thing different between the 95-96 dash and the 97+ is the HVAC ducts on the passengers side. The side window vent is in a little different location or the mounting for the ducts was different or something over there. The ducts are actually pretty cheap so if doing this swap it would be worth it to go ahead and get the right ones. Mine has never lined up since I put the 95 ducts back in and my passengers side window doesn't defrost worth a crap and the vent doesn't want to stay popped in. I plan on pulling it back out someday and resealing my HVAC system and fixing the sticking doors and hopefully adding some bracing to the dash and maybe I'll fix it then.