DIY: S13 Dash Removal (by mrzabala)

[mrzabala]

Hey fellow Nicoians. Just wanted to contribute again to NICO.

This DIY is to give you supplement information into removing a dash from a 240sx (s13).

Tools required and optional:

-3/8 ratchet-3/8 extension 3-6 inches-10 mm socket-12 mm socket-Screw driver (wider the better)-Flat head screw driverOptional:-long nose pliers-pliers-water bottle/beer/soda/juice-labeling bag-marker-flashlight-camera/video recorder

FSM:

Procedures: Notes: most of the bolts are 10mm unless noted. Use a wider screw driver to cover more surface area on the screws so you dont strip them. Breaking loose bolts with a socket/ratchet, than using a screw driver, makes the job faster

1.There are two screws that hold the lower part of the glove box. After removal, open glove box and tilt to slide out the rubber ball stoppers.

2.There are Nine (9) bolts that hold the dash. Heres one of them circled. If you want, you can peel the weather strip enough to clear the dash. Note: you will have to remove the door floor sil that have the plastic screws.

3.Heres the other bolt after removing the glove box. There are bolts that hold the glove box plate near the glove box latch.

4.Two screws on the side and on the other side.

5.Pull it gently. Start, either on the very top or bottom. Ive seen some broken so be careful. Then remove the cluster lid C that holds the shift boot.

6.Some may be missing. They are usually screws and bolts (dark green)

7.Remove the 2 screws that hold the hood latch. Than slide it foward than push down. You can also remove the 2 other bolts that hold it all together.

8.Other bolt holding the dash to the left thats circled is called a pawl (plastic hook). just yank pull it gently.

9.Using a longer screw driver helps. Theres about 6. and theres the other pawl- yank and pull gently.

10.This isnt recommended, but you can remove this nuts that hold the lower half of the steering column. If you do start with this nuts then the upper two bolts.

11.Removing this bolts with an extension, ratchet and a 12mm socket.

12.Sorry for the dark picture. Remove the vents gently. There are 3 metal clips holding them than a lego shape in the middle that holds both vents. Using a flat head, slide it into under the vent at the corner or in the middle than while sliding it across back and forth, turn it sideways. This can easily break so be very gentle. After this, there are three bolts use the smaller extension on the 3/8 ratchet. A smaller screw driver works the best after you break the bolts loose.

13.Heres the other screws on the side, than at the front where the shift boot is.

14.Tilt the center console and remove the plugs. I had to use a small long nose pliers for the plugs (they were tight and didnt bother using my nut cracking thumbs).

15.Just showing the two 12mm bolts that hold the steering column. lower the steering column than press down on the steering wheel for more clearance. You will be pushing it down further when you take out the dash.

16.Two screws.

17.Ive already taken out my dash before so Ill walk through on this and the up comming pictures. Pop out the buttons or reach behind and take out the plugs. Theres 6 of them that control the lights, hazards, etc. Will take some time but use it or the buttons will snap.

18. There are three screws hold the cluster gauge. One at the top two at the bottom sides. And next to the sides are the bolts that hold the dash.Three plugs. Push into the buttons on opposite sides of each other to remove the plugs.

19.This are the screws/bolts that hold the a/c control unit, the radio and either plate or bin. After removing tuck them as far back as you can.

20.Now your ready to remove the dash. Lower the steering column as low as you can. Lower the ebrake (put a block on the wheels). Now Start wiggling and pulling gently. Start by pulling the bottom than top. After it moves, pull the top first and move it towards the roof. By then you should be able to clean the steering wheel. Now you can slide it to either the passenger or driver side door and bring it outside. Take your time especially if its one of those dashes that are flawless.

DISCLAIMER: I take no responsibility in any damage/harm/death/missing limbs that may result from following the above advice.
Modified by mrzabala at 4:35 PM 2/13/2007

[adrianfromthecastle]

goddammit... its about time someone did a dash removal write-up!nice write up man...

[Logan76]

Is that sound deadening I see? make it go bye bye.

[mrzabala]

Is that sound deadening I see? make it go bye bye.

That was an old picture. So is this but thats what I did to the sound tar.

Edit: this is Bedliner.
Modified by mrzabala at 9:57 PM 2/14/2007

[donmeca2020]

very good DIY thread, im gonna give this a try maybe in the next few days or so.

[homeslicej2]

That was an old picture. So is this but thats what I did to the sound tar.

What is that/what did you do? Nice write up btw, w/lost of helpful pics.

[nvrplzd240]

Great writeup man

[mrzabala]

Its bedliner. Have done the same thing to 3 different cars (JDM_master_x and...) The process and preperation and money for this is more than many are willing to do. But with enough people Ill make a DIY for it. Buts its straight foward with many other projects.

Now all I need is An admin like Chris (d!ck) or Greg (azhitman) to add it into the articles(Which should have its own category with DIY as the title).

[homeslicej2]

I thought that's what it was, but why? Does it serve as sound deadening too or is it more of a stiffener/rust inhibitor?

[bt2s14]

Wait putting the bedliner down in costly? I plan on doing this to one of my cars..

If you don't make a DIY can you tell us what you used?

BTW: Nice comprehensive write up and nice pics

[mrzabala]

I thought that's what it was, but why? Does it serve as sound deadening too or is it more of a stiffener/rust inhibitor?

Lol sigh Ive told many people this when they asked about bedlinning. It weighs less than sound tar, resulting in you can cover your whole floor pan and still below what a sound tar would weigh= Sound tar from firewall to the rear comes in around 50-90lbs. 1 kit of bedliner is 25lbs. I used more than 1 kit for other cars because of using the roller method and not the spray method used on mine. More durable/stiffer, you wont see rust forming underneath unless its on the other side. Many more great qualities. Search and you will know.

Wait putting the bedliner down in costly? I plan on doing this to one of my cars..

If you don't make a DIY can you tell us what you used?

BTW: Nice comprehensive write up and nice pics

To some people its costly. I pay around 350 for 2 large kits of bedliner=rattlegaurd from ebay. Thats 4 small kits=2large kits.For the sound tar, I removed the whole interior. Dry ice, hammer, flat head, and chisel. paint wrap and painters tape to cover the areas not being bedlined. bought a couple cans of primer, sand paper, and degreaser (simple green is the best). After I prepped the floor and tapped off the areas. I followed the directions thats given with the bedliner kit. It takes about 20-30minutes to apply (45 min. until it hardens) and settles for touch in a couple hours depending on climate conditions. And about 24 hours before you can start throwing engines, parts, tires, body bags, etc. and you wont even make it twitch .

[TRBOMOFO]

DISCLAIMER: I take no responsibility in any damage/harm/death/missing limbs that may result from following the above advice.

Modified by mrzabala at 4:35 PM 2/13/2007

I like this disclaimer

nice write up

[georgegto]

Very usefull threat

[Bwana]

Well done! I will be articlizing this when I get home tomorrow (in a motel on my laptop now ). You've earned yourself a custom title too I'll be getting in touch with you regarding that...

[mrzabala]

Let me know if theres anything else you'd like a DIY on. Ill see what I can do as time allows. Thanks.

[dickie]

sorry i didnt get to your email sooner, i was out of town.

also sorry to bawana, no cell reception on our side of the mtn means i didnt receive your vm until we had left winter park

anyways, looks like youre all set, thanks for the info!

[mrzabala]

No sorry needed. Its all good. Thanks Chris. Let me know what other DIYs you want and Ill see what I can do.

[Uberck]

how long did it take you to remove the dash?

[nwmrkt]

Let me know if theres anything else you'd like a DIY on. Ill see what I can do as time allows. Thanks.

sounds easy and nooby...but please one on the rear bumper remove on the hatch!

[duffman1278]

how long did it take you to remove the dash?

I just did mine last night and it took me about an hour and 15 min to do it. Nothing too crazy just keep track of all the bolts

[Florida240sx]

Why take so long? I do it in about 20minutes

[Gold_240sx]

nice write up gonna be doing this as soon as i can get a clean brown dash hud or not.

[CMG]

Nice right up man. If you don't mind I think I could add a few things. I just finished switching from blue to gray this weekend. The dash iself takes 15 minutes to pull, but it takes a bit more to pull off all the other panels. I've never dropped the steering column, that's a good idea. There's one angle to get off the bezel by twisting it to the left and up and over the column lever. The top air vents come off best by using a small screwdriver at the clip points and starting from one side to the other. All the other screws are pretty straightforward. I also used my original VIN on the new dash. I drilled out the rivets, then just screwed it in place using small black screws the same size as the rivets. This is a must if you don't want a cop to think you're driving a stolen car.

[White Comet]

is it me or have some of these articles been getting a little elementary? no offense to the op and kudos for taking the time to do a write up. but i dont think this topic is one that needs a write up. if u have a FSM removal of the dash should be no problem. i didnt even use the FSM and i figured it out. its not just this writeup but a few other as well have been almost too easy and straight forward to need an article (the cup holder in the ash tray come to mind). i just hope i dont ever log onto nico and see a write up for basic maintenance like oil changes or better yet wheel removal