1965-1966 Ford Mustang Dash Replacement - How To Replace A Dashpad

1. We began by removing the line of screws located directly below the windshield.

2. Once the screws are out, the trim pieces can be removed. These are set aside to be reused with the new pad. If needed, you can repaint the trim strips for a better appearance.

3. There are four screws above the gauge cluster and four above the glovebox door. Remove these eight screws to prepare for taking the pad out of the car.

4. Next, remove the screws that hold the speaker grille, and remove it from the top of the pad.

5. The dash speaker-in this case, what's left of a dual aftermarket setup-needs to be removed as well. This typically involves a few screws and unplugging the speaker wire from the radio. Next, remove the pair of defroster ducts, which attach to the top of the dashpad with special clips.

6. With the speaker and defroster ducts removed, access is gained to two nuts that need to be removed from inside the dashpad. In this car, one of the aftermarket speakers was sitting inside the dash, and we were able to reconnect it after putting everything together again.

7. There are a total of eight screws (four above the gauge cluster and four above the glovebox door) and four nuts (two at the center and two at each end) that hold a '66 dashpad in place. Once these 12 fasteners are removed and the dashpad trim pieces under the windshield are removed, the pad can come out. The two nuts at either end of the dash aren't visible when the pad is still in the car. Reach inside the dash with a 1/4-inch-drive ratchet and socket to access them.

8. This is the new pad with its outer nuts still in place. Here you can see where they go once the pad is in place. After the pad is in position, these nuts are installed and secured by threading them behind and up inside the dash. Although they are the hardest to access, it can be done by feel.

9. Another pair of nuts hold the pad in place at the center. As shown, these are easily accessed from the area where the speaker grille resides. These nuts aren't used on '65 pads.