Dakota 4WD V8-318 5.2L (1991)
Dash Panel: Service and Repair
Fig. 3 Instrument panel & mounting bolts. Dakota
1.
Disconnect battery ground cable.
2.
Disconnect bulkhead connector, then the resistor block wiring in engine compartment.
3.
Remove steering column cover.
4.
Remove parking brake release handle and hood release handle.
5.
Remove screw from under panel support brace below glove box.
6.
Pull resistor block wiring into passenger compartment.
7.
Disconnect clutch, parking brake, stop lamp and speed control wiring.
8.
Disconnect bulkhead from dash panel.
9.
Disconnect vent control cable from vent.
10.
Disconnect steering column wiring 25-way connector.
11.
Remove intermittent wiper control from bracket.
12.
On models equipped with automatic transmission, disconnect gearshift indicator from steering column.
13.
On all models, remove steering column support nuts, lower steering column, then the steering column attaching studs.
14.
Disconnect wiring from ignition switch and headlamp dimmer switch on steering column.
15.
Remove both side A-pillar and cowl side trim panels.
16.
Loosen instrument panel pivot bolts.
17.
Remove five instrument panel attaching screws from cowl panel, then roll instrument panel down. Attach a hook from cowl panel to center
instrument panel mount to hold instrument panel in position.
18.
Disconnect wiring from speaker(s), door switches and blower motor.
19.
Disconnect radio antenna cable, A/C-heater control vacuum harness and temperature control cable.
20.
Disconnect speedometer cable from rear of instrument cluster.
21.
Disconnect demister hoses from A/C-heater adapter.
22.
Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
Fig. 4 Gearshift indicator cable retaining clip. Dakota
23.
Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a.
On models equipped with automatic transmission, place gear selector in Drive.
b.
Route gearshift indicator cable down through instrument panel slot.
c.
Pull shift indicator cable so pointer reads between R and N, then allow cable to snap back to 1 position.
d.
Repeat step c, then pull cable far enough to hook into slot. Ensure pointer does not go past R.
e.
Install U-shaped retaining clip.
f.
Place gear selector in Park to adjust shift indicator.
