How to Remove the Dashboard of a Fox Mustang

by Thomas West

Ford introduced a small and efficient platform in 1978 on which many of its cars. Called the Fox platform, it served Ford until the early 1990s. Many Fords used this platform, including the Fairmont, Granada, LTD and the Mustang. You may need to remove the dashboard of a Fox bodied Mustang to service components behind the dashboard, such as the heater core.

Step 1

Locate the four retaining bolts from the center armrest and remove them with a wrench. Lift the armrest straight up and place it aside. Remove the retaining screws from the center console trim with a Phillips screwdriver, and then lift the trim straight up. Unplug the wiring connectors from the bottom of the trim, and then work it over the hand brake handle and place it aside.

Step 2

Remove the radio retaining screws with a socket and ratchet. Pull the radio straight out of the dash, and then unplug all of the wiring connectors from the back side of the radio. Place the radio aside. Twist the shifter handle off in a counterclockwise direction. Remove the console retaining screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver, and then lift the console straight up and over the shifter. Place the console aside.

Step 3

Open the doors and remove the front screw on each sill plate with a Phillips-head screwdriver to release the kick panels. Slide each kick panel toward the rear of the car, and then place them aside. Remove the four retaining screws from the heater control panel with a Torx screwdriver. Let the control panel hang down out of the way.

Step 4

Remove the four retaining bolts on the underside of the steering column (two are near the brake pedal at the firewall, and two are near the hood release handle) with a socket and ratchet. Allow the steering column to hang down away from the dashboard.

Step 5

Remove the retaining screws from the plastic trim piece on top of the dashboard over the instrument gauges with a Torx screwdriver. Raise the trim up, unplug the wiring connectors from the back side, and then place the trim aside.

Step 6

Remove the retaining screws from the gauge cluster with a Torx screwdriver, and then pull it straight out from the dashboard. Unplug the wiring connectors from the back side of the cluster, and then place it aside.

Step 7

Carefully pry up the plastic trim piece where the windshield meets the dashboard with a flat blade screwdriver and place it aside. Remove the five retaining screws revealed after removing the trim with a Torx screwdriver. Lift the dashboard straight up and remove it from the car.

References

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