99 Blazer dashboard removal

[NINFan]

about a month after i replaced the oil pump, mains, rod bearings, timing chain cover, lower ball joints, pitman arm, right front axle, water pump, s-belt, front diff seals and some other stuff i'm sure i've forgotten (whole story is here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=725265), i've got a foggy windshield and glycol smell in the cabin. i searched the threads, and think i have a good idea how to get the heater core out once the dash is out, but i'm having trouble getting the dash out. i've got all the panels, the instrument cluster, radio, heater controls, glove box, ashtray out. but now there are about a million of those little 9/32 sheet metal screws all over. do i understand that there are bolts holding it to the firewall under the speakers and defroster vent? there must be bolts on the sides into the body panels in front of the doors?

BTW, a lot of people in the posts on here seem to have trouble getting the face plate out because of the steering column. it's really easy if you drop the steering wheel (not unbolt it, just use the height adjustment and put it all the way down) and put the car into Low (move the gearshift lever all the way down)

EDIT: forgot something. behind the instrument cluster (and somewhere else, but i now forget where) there are 2 of those 9/32 bolts sticking through from behind the dash. do those need to come out? how are you supposed to get to them?

[NINFan]

ok, now i have the whole dash tilted down. any tips on taking it completely out of the cabin?

[MT-2500]

I would suggest a good or factory repair manual or a All data online sub.

http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

You can drop the steering column down.
The dash is bolted on the ends with 4-5 big bolts.
Sorta hinges on the bottom end bolts.
You do not need to take out all of the 9/32 sheet metal screws.
Most of the wiring will stay in the dash but will need to be unplugged on the side or ends.
After dash is out the heater hoses and fire wall bolts holding the heater box to firewall will need removed.
Some are a bear.
I had a 2001 that had a hidden bolt under the blower module about half way down in there.
Good Luck.
MT

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by NINFan

ok, now i have the whole dash tilted down. any tips on taking it completely out of the cabin?

If tilted down unbolt it where it hinges on bottom.
And unplug the wirings where it comes out the ends of dash.
Also take pictures of all plug in on wiring so you can get them all plugged back up right.

[NINFan]

got it. thanks for the tips. now if i could only get the heater core out...