The Ford Barn

james Langford · 05-30-2024, 06:01 AM

Hello: I am in the process of converting from 6 volt to 12 volt. I bought a device from Vintage Auto Garage to attach to my gauges but I don't know how to get the instrument panel out of the dash. Working upside down in the dark recesses of the dash isn't an option for me. I barely have the confidence to do the conversion upright in good light. I am new at this but learning. The truck is a 1942 Ford 3/4 ton flathead 239 - 59AB.
I bought the multi gauge voltage reducer for $79 but living in Canada, the final cost was $190 with shipping.
I still have to work on the horn, wipers and heater. I hope it gets less expensive than the unit for the gauges. Thank you in advance for any advice.

corvette8n · 05-30-2024, 06:37 AM

A lot of people said to take the seat out so you can lay on the floor. One of the days I need to take the cluster out of my ‘41 coupe and replace it with one I got off eBay.

Fritz · 05-30-2024, 08:52 AM

It’s not my favorite thing to do. There are four small nuts that hold the cluster to the dash. Two on the bottom and two on the top behind the dash. The speedo cable will unscrew from the cluster, and take pictures of which wires go to which gauge terminals for future reference.

You probably have a loop ammeter, so disconnect the battery, and that large wire will need to come off the circuit breaker. You’ll see where it goes.

rotorwrench · 05-31-2024, 04:39 PM

Some of he old Mercury cars are easier to remove the whole dash than to try and get under it. I don't know about the jail bar trucks. Most Ford dashes have the steering column support and the screws under the windshield garnish moldings plus a bolt on either side. Taking wiring loose as an assembly can be difficult depending on complexity. Cables for throttle and choke also have to be dealt with. Ford likely put the dash panels in as a complete assembly during production.

I guess it just depends on the person doing the work as to how they get the job done.

highbeams · 06-01-2024, 07:00 AM

I've done it on my '33 3w. As a matter of fact, it's out right now. The corrosive 'red' in the fuel gauge overflowed years ago = lotsa damage. See my past posts if interested.
Thank You!

51woodie · 06-01-2024, 08:40 AM

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James, I suggest that you update your profile to include your location. Canada is a big country, and there may be someone close to you that could be a resource. Also, if you become a member of the Early Ford V8 Club, you will get the Club roster that lists all members and their contact info. The Old Autos newspaper published out of Bothwell Ontario, is C$45.00 a year, and issues are sent out every two weeks. Lots of adds for Canadian shops and suppliers.

05-30-2024, 06:01 AM	#1
james Langford Junior Member Join Date: May 2024 Posts: 1	removing a gauge cluster Hello: I am in the process of converting from 6 volt to 12 volt. I bought a device from Vintage Auto Garage to attach to my gauges but I don't know how to get the instrument panel out of the dash. Working upside down in the dark recesses of the dash isn't an option for me. I barely have the confidence to do the conversion upright in good light. I am new at this but learning. The truck is a 1942 Ford 3/4 ton flathead 239 - 59AB. I bought the multi gauge voltage reducer for $79 but living in Canada, the final cost was $190 with shipping. I still have to work on the horn, wipers and heater. I hope it gets less expensive than the unit for the gauges. Thank you in advance for any advice.

05-30-2024, 06:37 AM	#2
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	Re: removing a gauge cluster A lot of people said to take the seat out so you can lay on the floor. One of the days I need to take the cluster out of my ‘41 coupe and replace it with one I got off eBay.

05-30-2024, 08:52 AM	#3
Fritz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nashville Posts: 265	Re: removing a gauge cluster It’s not my favorite thing to do. There are four small nuts that hold the cluster to the dash. Two on the bottom and two on the top behind the dash. The speedo cable will unscrew from the cluster, and take pictures of which wires go to which gauge terminals for future reference. You probably have a loop ammeter, so disconnect the battery, and that large wire will need to come off the circuit breaker. You’ll see where it goes. __________________ Cars and metal rust away and are destroyed, but the Word of God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35).

05-31-2024, 04:39 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: removing a gauge cluster Some of he old Mercury cars are easier to remove the whole dash than to try and get under it. I don't know about the jail bar trucks. Most Ford dashes have the steering column support and the screws under the windshield garnish moldings plus a bolt on either side. Taking wiring loose as an assembly can be difficult depending on complexity. Cables for throttle and choke also have to be dealt with. Ford likely put the dash panels in as a complete assembly during production. I guess it just depends on the person doing the work as to how they get the job done.

06-01-2024, 07:00 AM	#5
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 914	Re: removing a gauge cluster I've done it on my '33 3w. As a matter of fact, it's out right now. The corrosive 'red' in the fuel gauge overflowed years ago = lotsa damage. See my past posts if interested. Thank You!

06-01-2024, 08:40 AM	#6
51woodie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada Posts: 604	Re: removing a gauge cluster Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) James, I suggest that you update your profile to include your location. Canada is a big country, and there may be someone close to you that could be a resource. Also, if you become a member of the Early Ford V8 Club, you will get the Club roster that lists all members and their contact info. The Old Autos newspaper published out of Bothwell Ontario, is C$45.00 a year, and issues are sent out every two weeks. Lots of adds for Canadian shops and suppliers.