[Rob in NH]

Before I break something I thought I would ask how to pull out the dash panel. I had tried and it didn't want to come out. Thanks

[north]

69 or 67-68?

[Rob in NH]

forgot to mention its a 69

[north]

By dash panel do you mean the pad or the bezel that carries the gauge cluster?

[Rob in NH]

The bezel with the gauge cluster.

[JLMounce]

I believe you have to drop the column to get it out. There should be bolts around the bezel that are visible on the front face. Then there are two bolts underneath the column that hold it in place. remove those, carefully let the column drop, then the dash bezel should come out.

Don't leave the column dropped and hanging on the steering nuckle. put it back into plaec and snug those bolts while you're working on whatever you need to back there.

[north]

To remove the actual bezel with the cluster you drop the column as described in the previous post (I usually remove the drivers seat to get more room for me and the column)

Then remove the radio, lighter. If you have the original headlight switch knob (unique to 69 Firebird) you can just yank the knob off then remove the nut that screws the switch to the bezel. If you have the knob from any other Pontiac you will need to reach up under the dash to push the release button on the switch from under the dash, nearly impossible for most arms.

Remove the ashtray. Disconnect the heater control cables from their attachments to the heater box on the firewall.

Disconnect any accessory wiring (power top or antenna etc) from the fuse block or distribution cables

Then remove the upper and lower retaining screws. Lastly there is a speed nut screwed on a stud on the back of the bezel between the glovebox and the radio.

As you pull the bezel downwards towards you you can release the speedo cable tab and the gang plug on the cluster.

I find it ideal to actually remove the steering column and the glove box for easier access. No need to remove the dash pad.

[Firebob]

Sounds about right. If you're lucky you can leave the tires on and the exhaust hooked up.

[maxepr]

Don't forget the two studs on the right side looking at it one high accessible through the glove box and one low by the knee .

[north]

GM dashboard serviceability was at an all time low in the late 60's.

[Sport69]

Yank the knob off the headlight switch? There's a button up in back of the switch you're suppose to push and it releases the headlight shaft, never heard of yanking it out. I've had my dash out three times and never "yanked" it out. I removed the steering wheel for easier dash removal too, that way you don't have the weight of it on your column.

[north]

While the headlight knob on a 69 Firebird looks identical to other 69 Pontiac’s it’s actually different. The knob is held to the shaft by a friction clip inside the knob, pull hard enough and the knob pops off from the shaft. Other Pontiac knobs are heat molded so you can’t separate the knob from the shaft.

If you’ve ever tried to reach the headlight release button on a 69 Firebird you’ll understand why they had this unique feature on the Firebird knob.

The actual headlight switch is otherwise the same and that button is there.

I discovered this by accident years ago and looking at my MPC confirms the unique part number for the 69 Firebird knob.

[north]

The repro guys were not aware of this distinction so if you have a repro knob you are probably out of luck.

Most cars probably still have the original knob since even if the switch was replaced back in the day the knob wasn’t included so most mechanics would just reuse the old knob.

I wouldn’t try this unnecessarily though as each time you pull the knob off you probably weaken the grip and risk breaking something

[rdl]

Originally Posted by Firebob

Sounds about right. If you're lucky you can leave the tires on and the exhaust hooked up.

Now that’s funny! 😂