Removing Instrument Panel

djones · 07-17-2000, 08:17 PM

Recently bought 65 Mustang, I wanted to remove the instrument panel to replace the light bulbs behind the panel. Seems like you have to remove the speedometer cable to remove the instrument panel. Is that correct and is there an easy way to get to the speedometer cable, I've tried to get to it from underneath, but not having alot of success

Rev · 07-17-2000, 08:56 PM

On my '66, there is enough slack in the cable that I don't have to undo the cable. Just remove the screws and pop out the clips that retain the panel. You should be able to pull it out far enough to unplug the bulb fixtures and change bulbs. Make sure the bulb fixtures are making good ground when reinstalling. (use fine sand paper and electrical or brake areosol cleaner on them). You can easily unconnect the spedo if wanted to, but it's not necessary for the bulb change. This all assumnes that your panel is pretty similar to mine, which i think it is.

Rev

------------------
'66 Coupe, 306, windage
tray, TRW flat tops, 351W
heads,pocket ported, 268
CC hydraulic cam, R tip
R's, Edelbrock Performer,
600 CFM Holley vac. secs.,
Mallory Unilite, coil, fuel
pump, Tri-Y headers, 2 1/2 "
custom pipes, 3 chamber
Flows, stock C-4, 3.25
Currie built 8" rear,
March under drive pulleys,
13.97 e.t., 100.1 mph
1/4 mi.

Stefan · 07-20-2000, 08:39 AM

My 66 (like Rev's) had enough slack to pull the cluster out far enough to access the back. Do yourself a favor, though, and lay a towel or some other type of padding on the steering column to keep it from getting marred. I know this may seem obvious, but it only takes a second to scratch the paint which makes for a lot more work than changing light bulbs. Be wary when twisting the cluster side to side as well. Sometimes the wires can be brittle with age and will break very easily.

Good luck with it.

Stefan

------------------
66 Standard coupe
200 inline 6 - Pertronix ignition, Flamethrower Coil, K&N, Clifford Perf. 6 into 2 headers, Holley carb, three row radiator

96 GT Convertible
Splitfire plugs (they were free - don't laugh).
K&N, removed air silencer (more to come)
Next up: 3:73's and side exhaust
www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?258

07-17-2000, 08:17 PM	#1
djones Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Denver,PA,USA Posts: 1	Removing Instrument Panel Recently bought 65 Mustang, I wanted to remove the instrument panel to replace the light bulbs behind the panel. Seems like you have to remove the speedometer cable to remove the instrument panel. Is that correct and is there an easy way to get to the speedometer cable, I've tried to get to it from underneath, but not having alot of success

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07-17-2000, 08:56 PM	#2
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	On my '66, there is enough slack in the cable that I don't have to undo the cable. Just remove the screws and pop out the clips that retain the panel. You should be able to pull it out far enough to unplug the bulb fixtures and change bulbs. Make sure the bulb fixtures are making good ground when reinstalling. (use fine sand paper and electrical or brake areosol cleaner on them). You can easily unconnect the spedo if wanted to, but it's not necessary for the bulb change. This all assumnes that your panel is pretty similar to mine, which i think it is. Rev ------------------ '66 Coupe, 306, windage tray, TRW flat tops, 351W heads,pocket ported, 268 CC hydraulic cam, R tip R's, Edelbrock Performer, 600 CFM Holley vac. secs., Mallory Unilite, coil, fuel pump, Tri-Y headers, 2 1/2 " custom pipes, 3 chamber Flows, stock C-4, 3.25 Currie built 8" rear, March under drive pulleys, 13.97 e.t., 100.1 mph 1/4 mi.

07-20-2000, 08:39 AM	#3
Stefan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Manhattan, KS 66502 Posts: 599	My 66 (like Rev's) had enough slack to pull the cluster out far enough to access the back. Do yourself a favor, though, and lay a towel or some other type of padding on the steering column to keep it from getting marred. I know this may seem obvious, but it only takes a second to scratch the paint which makes for a lot more work than changing light bulbs. Be wary when twisting the cluster side to side as well. Sometimes the wires can be brittle with age and will break very easily. Good luck with it. Stefan ------------------ 66 Standard coupe 200 inline 6 - Pertronix ignition, Flamethrower Coil, K&N, Clifford Perf. 6 into 2 headers, Holley carb, three row radiator 96 GT Convertible Splitfire plugs (they were free - don't laugh). K&N, removed air silencer (more to come) Next up: 3:73's and side exhaust www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?258