Dash Removal

[nike13857]

For the most part its quite simple. It comes out as one big assembly. You could probably find it by searching but i'll try to remember most of it.

1: There are 2 bolts on each side in the door jams with plastic covers over them. take those out.

2: Take out your center console. Around the base beneath the radio there are 4 bolts, 2 on each side. take those out.

3: Take out the airbag(s).

4: Follow the steering column down, you will see 2 bolts under the dash looking up that hold the column up. Take those out.

5: The last bolt holding it in at this point will be the one in the top center of the dash, there is a little plastic cover over it. Its kind of a bugger to get to with the way the windshield slopes, but thats where it is. After that it'll pull forward and there will be some electrical connections from the main harness to the dash harness.

6: Remove from car. If you have anymore questions let me know, but i think that covers it.

Its not hard, but it takes some time, good luck.

[ZX2guy19]

What size bolts are they and what extensions and such are needed? 3/8" good enough?

[corby_baby]

be sure to get the right tool with maybe a curved extension for the bolt at the top center of the dash. it seirously is the hardest one to remove imo if you dont have the right tools. :]

[zx2reme]

3: Take out the airbag(s).

How do you take the passenger side airbag out?



4: Follow the steering column down, you will see 2 bolts under the dash looking up that hold the column up. Take those out.

I looked under the steering column and couldn't find them. Do you have to take off the plastic cover that goes around the column, just behind the steering wheel? How far down are they and are they easy to get to?

[droptoutzx2]

side bolts under covers

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics112.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics108.jpg


bottom of dash bolts under console

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics110.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics109.jpg


middle dash bolt

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics115.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics114.jpg


bolts under steering column

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics116.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics117.jpg


the aftermath
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/droptoutzx2/junk/showpics118.jpg


you dont have to remove the airbags all though unhook battery is recommended (i didnt)

[zx2reme]

Thanks. This should help. All I have left is the bolts under the steering column. My battery isn't even installed, so that part is taken care of.

[silent_1999]

The airbags can hold a charge for up to 30 min so make sure you disconnect the battery and press the brakes. Wait half an hour then start working. It's rarely happens, but I've seen the airbags go off at school, because of carelessness.

[zx2reme]

Thanks for the help. After seeing the pics, I got the dash out in like half an hour.

[Jaybird]

Ok, so I went to my local j/y to get a little practice befor I operate on my own car. The Write up is great! I did seem to run into a problem not mentioned though. Down by the bolts at the bottom (computer area) there seems to be something else anchoring the dash. It was as if it was pivoting on some sort of welded bolt. I had to literaly rip that part off (I twisted and yanked to seperate it). Has anyone else had that same experience? Or did I just miss another set of bolts not mentioned here?

[droptoutzx2]

what you have to do is grab the top of the dash and pull out it pivots on those, its hard to explain but you pull the top out and then the bottom up

[scort2498]

im swaping dashes tan for charcoal... i dont have to take out the airbags at the junkyard??? i just have to just plug them in when i put them in my car correct???

[vega]

Wow, it dosent look that hard at all, thanks nike and drop for the info.
Imagine the dash in carbon, ** drulls **

vega

[droptoutzx2]

im swaping dashes tan for charcoal... i dont have to take out the airbags at the junkyard??? i just have to just plug them in when i put them in my car correct???

yes no need to remove them

[mellowness65]

there's also about 9 electrical/climate hookups you'll need to remove, but after you unbolt the dash it's easy to lean it back slightly to unhook them

[GAZX2]

so if im removing my dash to paint it and put it back in i dont have to remove the air bags?

[droptoutzx2]

no not at all

[zx2cambo]

how much did tht dash weigh?

[droptoutzx2]

probably 20-30lbs i could carry it by myself no problems