81 Gauge / Radio Bezel Removal

[91-Vetteman]

Help !! :confused What I thought would be a 15 - 20 minute job has kicked my butt all afternoon. I am trying to remove the gauge/radio cover so I can install a new radio. It appears that my gauge/radio bezel and gear shift / heater controls bezel is all attached as one piece ! ? I always thought they were two pieces, that is how they are sold !!

I have removed the radio knobs and nuts, 4 screws for the upper gauge bezel, the knob for my clock. The upper half of this bezel will come out, the lower section will not, it looks like it is attached to the gear shift section. So I have pulled the two side carpet covers off and unbolted 2 bolts for the lower cover, but it is still not moving. It looks like the heater controler is holding the whole thing in place.

I would apprecaite any help or tips here. What else do I need to remove / detach to get this piece out ?? Were the originals one piece ?? Thanx !! 81-Vetteman

 

[eanderso]

It sounds like you removed all the screws. 4 in the instrument bezel into the dash and the two attaching the instrument cluster to the shift bezel( Whoever designed these 2 screws must have been mean). I have a 78 that I puled out 2 weeks ago. It just puled out the front. The only caution I have is watch the top of the instrument cluster to mae sure the light that shines on the guages doesn't scratch the dash. I accidently flaked off a part of the dash while removing everything. I think you done everything right unless there is a difference between the years of our cars.

Good luck!!

 

[jonsflavette]

Yor are doing it right, there are (at least on a 79, when they sell the replacements they are 78-82) 1 left and 1 right side screws in the bezel. 2 top, and 2 bottom, 6 total. Good point on the top center illumination, that has a 2 wire dummy plug on it, just detach. The 2 screws at the bottom joining the radio bezel to the shift console plate, to the body. These have to ears on the shift console plate the go through the radio bezel to the body. L&R on them, be careful they can crack if you are impatient. 6 screws total if you count the radio-gauze bezel and the console plate

 

[jdp6000]

You got all the screw by the sound of it. I have had mine out a million time. Its a bit tricky. I usually pull the top out first and then lift it up and off the consol plate. Once you have it forward you need to unplug the the guage cluster, Stereo connector etc.

Jim

 

[91-Vetteman]

81 Gauge / Radio Bezel Replacement

Thanx guys, I missed the 2 screws that connects the upper bezel to the shifter bezel. They were tough to see. Got them off and removed the covers !! This is becoming similar to re-doing your kithcen.

This started out being a radio replacement, now that I have these pieces off, I should replace each bezel, ashtray cover, lighter, shift boot and handle, power window switches, 2 upper vent deflectors, etc. etc. !!

We will see if we can sweet talk the wife into expanded scope of work !! Thanx again !! John

 

[jonsflavette]

I tell you what, it is "fairly" reasonable. Onoce I had it out that's what I did. The lighter is a standard GM-$5, 2 AC vents $10 ea. leather boot $20, pw switch 15 ea. hanle and chrome shift botton $20, ashtray door is discontinued, I light sanded, and repainted, The little door pins are a PITA Heater face $16, lens-$11, I even replaced my old sunbacked shifter indicator-$7. bout $130.00 shifter console plate $34.00, and gauge bezel 52.00 under 200 total from dash to e-brake.

 

[eanderso]

The ashtray door is available in BLK from Eklers or Mid America. Ecklers part #A9422 @$49.99. I purchased mine at VIP Corvettes for $45.00. I worked with a lady named Pam. real nice, took care of the rest of my interior pices for a great rate. Web address www.vipcorvette.com. the website needs help but If you do the research on part numbers she's beaten 98% of everyone else. I'm checking your prices to what I paid. You got some great deals. Where did you purchase? Ecklers isn't even close to your bargains.