Visit our Popular Forums

Chaplain Kent · 03-01-2006, 06:51 PM

I did it. Tore out my entire dashboard, gauges and all. I now have nothing but a mass of wires and loose hanging bulbs. What I really would have referred to do was plan this job before I got into it but that did not happen. I will be using the same wiring harness when I hook things back up thus the same gauges and same placement of gauges. It would have been nice to move things around but the wires were not long enough and I was afraid to try rewiring. New gauges were too costly at this time so the old will do. What I will have is an all oak dash cluster, newly padded, painted, and covered dash.
Attached are pictures of the oak cluster I just completed cutting and putting in the holes, now it will get many coats of poly.
Question when I reinstall the speedometer can I just insert the shaft back into the gauge or is there a special way to do this? Is there anything else I need to be watching for when I try to get this back together? I did label everything.
I never found a switch for the blower so purchased a face plate from a 2000 Suburban, erased the AC stuff, and painted the back. It will work fine.

balrgn · 03-01-2006, 06:53 PM

Looking GREAT, Your some motivated this winter!

Can't wait to see the back together pics

Robfike · 03-01-2006, 06:58 PM

You should be able to just push the cable back into the back of the Speedometer. You may find that the first time you drive it, you get a clicking sound and the spedo does not work. This happened to me. All I had to do was reach under the dash, pull the cable back out and reinsert it as I was rolling. It found it's own happy spot.
Great looking dash!
Rob

GlenCoombe · 03-01-2006, 08:24 PM

I'd want to check the condition and size of all ground wires as you reinstall the guages. Lot's of issues with guage function and accuracy due to poor grounds. This is a major issue with my coach and one that I'm not looking forward to getting into...anytime soon. But on the horizon for me is a major look at the issue.
Looks like a great job of woodworking. Hope you labled all those connections before taking it all apart

.

ALANSD · 03-02-2006, 05:30 AM

lookin' good so far....you might keep some templates of those pieces in case someone else does that job, they'd sure be happy to get them.
Looking forward to seeing this in person here in GA!!

Chaplain Kent · 03-02-2006, 06:46 AM

....you might keep some templates of those pieces in case someone else does that job, they'd sure be happy to get them.

I used the metal front on the original dash as a template. After removing all of the gauges and lights (does anyknow what all those lights were for?) this came off of the vinyl back. Next I cut them into three pieces so they would be flat. Today I will cut out the labels such as Airstream, lights, wipers, etc. Thank goodness for a Mr. Dremel.

cooperhawk · 03-02-2006, 07:38 AM

It's a good thing you are a Chaplain. I would need a lot of forgiveness if I was to take that dash job on. You must be a very patient man.

Warbs · 03-02-2006, 08:42 AM

Looks like you've got a handle on remaking your dash! I wish I had as much initiative. I can't wait to see the finished product.

ALANSD · 03-02-2006, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplain Kent

. (does anyknow what all those lights were for?)

do you mean the light switches? If so mine are switched to turn on the floor lighting, the luggage compartment lights, and so on. I also wired one to my radio as a cut off, and to my front overhead fans.

Chaplain Kent · 03-02-2006, 03:18 PM

There are five lights below the speedometer and tachometer plus two more right above the steering wheel. these lights are green and red. My manual does not identify them. Only three of of the five were wired, the two above the steering wheel were not wired. these are 12V lights.
Another question now that everything is apart. Any ideas how I could wire my headlights into the ignition switch so they go off when the switch is turned off? With the diesel the ignition switch is basically an on switch and I have a cut off switch elsewhere on the dash.

ralley · 03-02-2006, 04:40 PM

Actually, you anticipate my question. When my 350 came back from its manditory state inspection, its headlights, when on, caused the headlight warning buzzer to sound, whether the key switch was on or not. It's damnably agrivating. Can you tell how the headlight circuit is wired to the switch? The warning buzzer is usually a small metal box which plugs into a circuit board behind the dash. The warning buzzer should only work if you leave the lights on and turn the key off......... It would be nice to know that what is behind my dash is ok, so I can look elsewhere for a bad ground, crossed wire, etc. They did replace a headlight during the inspection, but I find it hard to believe that you can screw that up!!

Sorry to intrude on your project with this--nice looking oak, that is. Make sure you clean all the grounds and replace any suspect wires as things go back together. Looks lovely!!

I checked my manual for the 345/350. It shows no dash lights below the spedo or tach--all are above, so either the 310 is significantly different, or only yours is!!
Rob Alley

Chaplain Kent · 03-02-2006, 04:48 PM

My coach never had a buzzer but i would sure like to have one. If you noticed in my post above the diesels are wired different from the ignition. I would also like a more secure ignition switch but the GMC guys said it does not exist.

ALANSD · 03-03-2006, 07:29 AM

Thoes lights in mine are for a door alert when it is not latched, an alert when the hand brake is on, and I am not sure what else but will check it for you next chance I get.

Chaplain Kent · 03-03-2006, 01:46 PM

I have got the gauge assembly back together. Next step will be cleaning up the wiring before installing it. I eliminated the lights under the speedometer since I really could not figure out what they were for.

balrgn · 03-05-2006, 11:40 AM

Hey! Nice job, when you get some free time, come on over and you can do mine!

Chaplain Kent · 03-05-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balrgn

Hey! Nice job, when you get some free time, come on over and you can do mine!

Andre, I have nothing but time since I started this project what I really wish I had was a little of your expertise.
Today was a set back when I realized I had drilled the holes for the headlight and wiper switches (2) too deep. I forgot to leave a lip and there was nothing for the assembly to grip. Note the first picture which is minus its oak in the lower left corner. I cut a metal plate and am gluing it to the back. Next I will bore holes through the plate.
The second picture represents six hours of wiring, if you could see closer you would notice that only one gauge is wired but all the switches and lights are in place!
My goal was to be complete by end of March now I hope to be complete by the rally in Georgia.

cooperhawk · 03-06-2006, 08:23 AM

I am totally impressed! I just don't think I have that much patience. It looks really GREAT!!!

GlenCoombe · 03-06-2006, 08:41 AM

Kent, what a nice job. I worked Saturday installing a new side mount antenna for my radio. Same location as the original. This required taking the dash apart as well as the driver side panel, fishing, and then re-riveting. Now have lacerated index finger on my left hand from the sharp aluminum

but I'll heal.
Noticed yesterday on my run to the golf course that I'd knocked off my vacum guage so I'll have to unscrew the panel again

.
I also replaced my air hoses to the defroster outlets on the windshield with new hose.
Off to Myrtle Beach in the a.m. tomorrow.

ALANSD · 03-06-2006, 10:00 AM

this was a great weekend to work here also, I started my spring outside clean up, and was polishing and sealing the side. I also put on a new US Flag/map emblem I found in chrome...it looks great over the spot where the P.O. had a flag sticker that messed up the clearcoat.
Chaplain- your work looks terrific...did you label all those wires?