Rallye Gauge Panel removal

[Grabinov911]

Hey guys,

I'm new on here, and I'm sure the answer to my question is somewhere, but I can't find it!

I am trying to remove the Rallye Gauge panel from my 1970 Roadrunner (383 Column shift auto) in order to repair/replace the dimmer switch (I have no gauge lights unless I just the fuse - suggests dimmer I think) and install an OER tachometer in the empty pot in next to the speedo.

I have the gauge panel loose, but there appears to be no way to get it out without dropping the steering column! Is this actually right (yikes)? If so, how do I "drop the column"?

If not, what's the trick?

 

[okiemopar]

There is a small cover with 4 screws in it under the center of the collumn, remove it and you'll see 3 7/16's bolts on the bracket that hold it up. You have to remove these. But before you do this you will have to remove the bolts in the botttom in the floor board. But if yo are changing the dimmer switch you don't have to do this just pull the carpet up and change it. Good Luck Ronnie

 

[moparstuart]

you can just pull the steering wheel also / or really i have gotten mine in and out with out doing either but its a tight fit

 

[Grabinov911]

Thanks guys. I did't think of just reaching up and pushing the dimmer out the front. I guess that's first, then I'll try the squeeze - but I think the shifter housing is in the way. If nothing else works, I'll follow Okie's instruction and drop the column!

 

[b-body-bob]

Thanks guys. I did't think of just reaching up and pushing the dimmer out the front. I guess that's first, then I'll try the squeeze - but I think the shifter housing is in the way. If nothing else works, I'll follow Okie's instruction and drop the column!

You can't push the dimmer out the front. If you're flexible and patient you can take it out the back with the cluster in. If not, quit messing around and drop the column down.

Seems like every one of those rheostats are bad. I just bypass the thing so they run full bright all the time.

 

[Grabinov911]

That's exactly my plan BBB. If I can just get to the wires, I'll turn ALL the lights on full. Somehow I gotta get that Tach in there though, and I may be in the Drop The Column club for that!

 

[Grabinov911]

OK I removed the plug from the dimmer switch. I pole is ground (Center), another pole is hot when the lights are on. The third pole has no power. I assume this third pole is the "dimmed" lead - the power from the hot lead to the "dimmed" lead runs thru the dimmer, and the voltage should go up an down as you move the dial.

RIGHT?

Can I jump hot to "dimmed" and just get full power to the dash lights since my dimmer is dead?

 

[70Fish]

Did you try the search feature? If you put in cluster removal or maybe dash removal, you should find ones like this, which if you end up pulling the cluster, RRBrian, pretty much listed out all the needed steps -

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=25747&highlight=cluster+removal

 

[Grabinov911]

Thanks guys. I was searching on Gauge panel rather than instrument cluster. May have figured it out eventually, but you saved me a lot of thesaurus time...