Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal?
| [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365449] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 10:19  |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Those screws are very difficult to get to. I have used a 1/4" drive ratchet
with a Phillips bit on it with some success there. A bit easier if you
remove the drivers seat first. Just what I do. Someone else may have a
simpler solution.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 8:11 AM Keith V wrote:
> So how does one remove the side panel below the window without breaking it?
> There are some screws up by the dash that seem impossible to get at.
> Failing that does anyone make replacements?! lol
>
> I need to check the filler tube to see why it stinks so much
>
> TIA
>
>
> Keith Vasilakes
> Mounds View MN
> 76 exRoyale
> MicroLevel http://www.gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com/vasilakes/microlevel_intro.pdf>
>
>
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| [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365453 is a reply to message #365449] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 10:38  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Indeed those phillips screws are difficult to get to -- some facts that it
helps to know ahead of time: They're inserted horizontally, from front to
rear, one above the other, in the very upper portion of the dash.
Good luck!
Ken H.
On Thu, Jul 15, 2021 at 11:19 AM James Hupy wrote:
> Those screws are very difficult to get to. I have used a 1/4" drive ratchet
> with a Phillips bit on it with some success there. A bit easier if you
> remove the drivers seat first. Just what I do. Someone else may have a
> simpler solution.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 8:11 AM Keith V wrote:
>
>> So how does one remove the side panel below the window without breaking
> it?
>> There are some screws up by the dash that seem impossible to get at.
>> Failing that does anyone make replacements?! lol
>>
>> I need to check the filler tube to see why it stinks so much
>>
>> TIA
>>
>>
>> Keith Vasilakes
>> Mounds View MN
>> 76 exRoyale
>> MicroLevel> http://www.gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com/vasilakes/microlevel_intro.pdf>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365460 is a reply to message #365449] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 13:43 |
Tom Katzenberger
Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD
Karma: 4
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I had a very tough time and ended up having to drill out one on the forward left corner. The angle of the screws is such that it appears as though they were installed before the windshield was installed. There are a lot of discussions on this site about the difficulty in removing these screws.
Best of luck and take care,
Tom K.
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
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| [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365461 is a reply to message #365460] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 13:51 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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I am sure that you are correct about the order in which the cab was
assembled. The dash was last. So, it must be the first thing to be removed,
using reverse order. I know sure that the Brake booster was installed
before the dash was installed. Those two nuts on the middle and top of the
booster are nearly impossible to get to with the dash in place.
BUT A HUGE WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT THE DASH. Plan on replacing it once
you touch any parts to remove it. It gives a whole new meaning to the word
"fragile " B.T.D.T.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 11:43 AM wrote:
> I had a very tough time and ended up having to drill out one on the
> forward left corner. The angle of the screws is such that it appears as
> though
> they were installed before the windshield was installed. There are a lot
> of discussions on this site about the difficulty in removing these screws.
>
> Best of luck and take care,
> Tom K.
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365463 is a reply to message #365461] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 15:04 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Great, the pass side is already broken, those things are made out of glass or something.
Sirum has them for $550 plus shipping...
Decisions decisions
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View MN
76 exRoyale
MicroLevel
________________________________
From: James Hupy
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 1:51 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal?
I am sure that you are correct about the order in which the cab was
assembled. The dash was last. So, it must be the first thing to be removed,
using reverse order. I know sure that the Brake booster was installed
before the dash was installed. Those two nuts on the middle and top of the
booster are nearly impossible to get to with the dash in place.
BUT A HUGE WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT THE DASH. Plan on replacing it once
you touch any parts to remove it. It gives a whole new meaning to the word
"fragile " B.T.D.T.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 11:43 AM wrote:
> I had a very tough time and ended up having to drill out one on the
> forward left corner. The angle of the screws is such that it appears as
> though
> they were installed before the windshield was installed. There are a lot
> of discussions on this site about the difficulty in removing these screws.
>
> Best of luck and take care,
> Tom K.
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365464 is a reply to message #365449] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 16:38 |
Greg C.
Messages: 224
Registered: October 2019
Location: Knoxville, TN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I was not ready to tackle the dash. However, I could not access the vacuum motors on the air box for my A/C modification without trying to remove part of the dash.
As you probably have guessed, most of the dash is now in the trash can. The side panels are really easy to remove. Grab anywhere, and give it a good jerk. It will immediately transform from one piece into at least four or five. I had both side panels out in five minutes. And into the trash they went. All 75 shards. About thirty minutes more to remove the screws which were rusted in place.
My new dash panel where the gauges go is .125 aluminum, and will have a vinyl overlay placed on it. It's almost finished. The top of the dash will be fiberglass, but I have yet to start that portion. The side panels will also be custom fabricated and covered with vinyl/padding. And cup holders!
If you want to retain the stock look, you probably better buy the fiberglass replacement dash components.
Greg Crawford
KM4ZCR
Knoxville, TN
"Ruby Sue"
1977 Royale
Rear Bath
403 Engine
American Eagle Wheels
Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
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| [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365465 is a reply to message #365464] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 17:05 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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One thing that I have seen used on a 1 off dash were several blocks of that
pink foam insulation material glued together with Elmer's or similar glue.
The blocks were rough shaped with a hot wire cutter before glued. Final
shaping was done with a rasp cutter for body filler. (Wear a mask!) And a
orbital grinder. Then a layer of fiberglass under mold release agent. A
monocoke framework holds the fiberglass female mold, and either fiberglass
or similar materials like carbon fiber get laid into the mold. Lot of work.
Not much expense, though.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 2:39 PM Greg Crawford
wrote:
> I was not ready to tackle the dash. However, I could not access the vacuum
> motors on the air box for my A/C modification without trying to remove part
> of the dash.
>
> As you probably have guessed, most of the dash is now in the trash can.
> The side panels are really easy to remove. Grab anywhere, and give it a good
> jerk. It will immediately transform from one piece into at least four or
> five. I had both side panels out in five minutes. And into the trash they
> went. All 75 shards. About thirty minutes more to remove the screws which
> were rusted in place.
>
> My new dash panel where the gauges go is .125 aluminum, and will have a
> vinyl overlay placed on it. It's almost finished. The top of the dash will
> be
> fiberglass, but I have yet to start that portion. The side panels will
> also be custom fabricated and covered with vinyl/padding. And cup holders!
>
> If you want to retain the stock look, you probably better buy the
> fiberglass replacement dash components.
>
>
> --
> Greg Crawford
> KM4ZCR
> Knoxville, TN
>
> "Ruby Sue"
> 1977 Royale
> Rear Bath
> 403 Engine
> American Eagle Wheels
> Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365466 is a reply to message #365465] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 18:11 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Or go flat dash and mount the gauges directly to the column above the tilt
behind the wheel. I still have a set of gauges I purchased from Speedhut
and had fabricated a mounting panel but passed it along with the last gmc.
Sully
Bellevue wa
On Thu, Jul 15, 2021 at 3:05 PM James Hupy wrote:
> One thing that I have seen used on a 1 off dash were several blocks of that
> pink foam insulation material glued together with Elmer's or similar glue.
> The blocks were rough shaped with a hot wire cutter before glued. Final
> shaping was done with a rasp cutter for body filler. (Wear a mask!) And a
> orbital grinder. Then a layer of fiberglass under mold release agent. A
> monocoke framework holds the fiberglass female mold, and either fiberglass
> or similar materials like carbon fiber get laid into the mold. Lot of work.
> Not much expense, though.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 2:39 PM Greg Crawford
> wrote:
>
>> I was not ready to tackle the dash. However, I could not access the
> vacuum
>> motors on the air box for my A/C modification without trying to remove
> part
>> of the dash.
>>
>> As you probably have guessed, most of the dash is now in the trash can.
>> The side panels are really easy to remove. Grab anywhere, and give it a
> good
>> jerk. It will immediately transform from one piece into at least four or
>> five. I had both side panels out in five minutes. And into the trash they
>> went. All 75 shards. About thirty minutes more to remove the screws
> which
>> were rusted in place.
>>
>> My new dash panel where the gauges go is .125 aluminum, and will have a
>> vinyl overlay placed on it. It's almost finished. The top of the dash
> will
>> be
>> fiberglass, but I have yet to start that portion. The side panels will
>> also be custom fabricated and covered with vinyl/padding. And cup
> holders!
>>
>> If you want to retain the stock look, you probably better buy the
>> fiberglass replacement dash components.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Greg Crawford
>> KM4ZCR
>> Knoxville, TN
>>
>> "Ruby Sue"
>> 1977 Royale
>> Rear Bath
>> 403 Engine
>> American Eagle Wheels
>> Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365467 is a reply to message #365449] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 18:50 |
Tom Katzenberger
Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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I got my side panels out and much of the dash without damage. One must inspect every inch for hidden screws.
I stopped removing the dash just because I feared damaging it. I was lucky in that I had 2 other coaches to inspect for screw locations before I tackled mine. I can tell you that no coach is alike and the screw locations are somewhat random on each coach.
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
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| Re: [GMCnet] Re: Cockpit side panel removal? [message #365517 is a reply to message #365467] |
Sun, 18 July 2021 18:32 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Tom Katzenberger wrote on Thu, 15 July 2021 18:50I got my side panels out and much of the dash without damage. One must inspect every inch for hidden screws.
I stopped removing the dash just because I feared damaging it. I was lucky in that I had 2 other coaches to inspect for screw locations before I tackled mine. I can tell you that no coach is alike and the screw locations are somewhat random on each coach.
Agree - when all the screws are removed carefully look for the one you missed. When pulling the side panel out assume any resistance is a missed screw. When you are sure it is not a screw then use a very thin flexible putty knife to the reluctant area to release it
It is possible to remove it without breaking it.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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