Removing my Dash

[90Q45blue]

So my new dash trim pieces arrived today from Everything Infiniti and everything was in order to install my new dash today. After it stopped raining and the sun came back out, I got to work. I have a few points I want to make regarding this swap.

1. Forget about saving your old dash. If you just plan on not having it any longer, then ripping it out goes much quicker.

2. Use the "Removing the Dash on 90-93 Q45" in our Infiniti Articles section. It is such a much better procedure than the one listed in the Service Manual.

3. It is VERY difficult to get the top piece out. You will cuss, kick and scream but eventually you'll get it out. The key is to pull the top end toward you and push the bottom end away from you. Hint: Make sure all the wiring harnesses are unplugged

4. Getting a new dash made all the difference in my car. I will post pictures as soon as I get them, but it was such a nice change from the crappy wood trim I had in their before.

Overall, the job took 3.5 hours off and on. I worked by myself and I would recommend you get a buddy to do it with you as it could cut down your time by a third.

Nick

P.S. One problem with the install: the RPM-o-meter no longer works. The needle is all the way to the right and stays there no matter what. Everything else works fine. I don't think this is a huge deal right now because, since our cars are automatics, the shifts are still nice and firm and take place when they're supposed to. Do you think it might be a fuse? I'll check soon.

[Q451990]

Removing the bezel around the instrument cluster is much easier if you remove the two large retaining bolts that hold the steering column in place. I got this tip on NICO recently and it makes a huge difference!! You can avoid the tell-tale pitting or rip in the vinyl near the ignition switch by using this method, and it makes it much less likely that you'll scratch the instrument cluster lens.

Your RPM Gauge can probably be cured by simply flipping the needle back to the resting stop. They'll flop around when you have the cluster out, but may not reset properly when everything is hooked back up. You might try redlining the car (that'll be a real chore) once to see if it'll pick back up before you take the dash apart again.

If that doesn't work - Once you have the cluster out, the clear lens just snaps off. This is a great time to remove the little trail of dust that finds it's way in under the reset knob for the trip meter and use some Novus plastic polish to get all of the abrasive scratches out of the cluster lens. Once you've done that once you'll never clean it with a paper towel again! (Yes I'm more picky than anyone you'll ever meet!)

Heath