Core-Lokt
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2013
- Posts
- 385
- Reaction score
- 89
- Location
- Texas
- Ram Year
- 2005 Ram 2500 4X4 ST
- Engine
- 5.7L
I got Christmas out of the way, so I wanted to get started on replacing all the HVAC doors and the heater & evaporator cores while I was in there. I can't get the dash out, though. I've watched videos and did searches. I've either missed something or else there's something odd about my truck.
So, if I understood the process, it was basically drop the steering column, unhook harnesses, remove dash speaker trim and some screws while I'm there, remove a brace from dash frame to plenum and remove approximately eight screws from the sides.
The problem is, I can't get it out. I even removed almost everything else thinking either I missed something or people glossed over details in vids/writeups.
It seems to be binding on the driver's side. That little round piece between the two upper bolts I figured was either a blind bolt or a dowel. I wedged screwdrivers enough to know it's a dowel. I wondered if the pipe brace the metal frame attaches to was wedged in and retained by the dowel pin. I can't get it to lever out and don't want to risk damage.
The passenger side is able to move out some. It seems to bind progressively from the center stack area to the driver's side. I stopped pulling (out and up) when the passenger side metal frame started bending.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
So, if I understood the process, it was basically drop the steering column, unhook harnesses, remove dash speaker trim and some screws while I'm there, remove a brace from dash frame to plenum and remove approximately eight screws from the sides.
The problem is, I can't get it out. I even removed almost everything else thinking either I missed something or people glossed over details in vids/writeups.
It seems to be binding on the driver's side. That little round piece between the two upper bolts I figured was either a blind bolt or a dowel. I wedged screwdrivers enough to know it's a dowel. I wondered if the pipe brace the metal frame attaches to was wedged in and retained by the dowel pin. I can't get it to lever out and don't want to risk damage.
The passenger side is able to move out some. It seems to bind progressively from the center stack area to the driver's side. I stopped pulling (out and up) when the passenger side metal frame started bending.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
got those babies down to about an hour and a half for removal and install. Lol 
