I'm thinking of removing the dashboard on my 2005 Dakota, anyone know how difficult this is? If you have any information on how to do this, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm trying to get to the firewall so I can trace a water leak.

 

I can access my alldatadiy from work, but not photbucket. Give me 4 hours and I'll go home and post pics ****ing galore for you. I guess I could post the steps now, and the pics during lunch. Standby...

 

feel free to throw this in 3rd gen dak faqs as well emery, so i don't have to copy/paste all this crap again
DB11-1.gif
1. Before proceeding with the following repair procedure, review all warnings and cautions.
2. Disconnect and isolate battery negative cable.
3. Remove the floor console (7).
DB2-1.gif
4. Remove the driver side door sill trim cover (1).
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5. Remove the steering column opening cover (2).
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6. Position the front wheels straight ahead.
7. Remove the steering column tilt lever ****.
8. Remove the column shrouds (1& 2).
DB5-1.gif
9. Disconnect the brake switch electrical connector (1).
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10. Disconnect the wiring harness to the column (1, 2 & 3).
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11. Remove the shift cable (2) from the column shift lever actuator (1).
12. Release the shift cable from the column bracket and remove it from the bracket.
13. Remove the SKIM module in order to disconnect the electrical connector.
DB8-1.gif
14. Remove the upper steering shaft coupler bolt (2) from the column (1).
15. Separate the shaft from the coupler (7).
DB9-1.gif
16. Remove the four steering column mounting nuts (4).
17. Remove the steering column assembly (3) from the vehicle.
DB10.gif
18. Remove the bolts (2) from the pedal support (1).
DB11.gif
DB12.gif19. Remove the defroster grille (1).
20. Remove the five upper fence line bolts (1).
DB13.gif
21. Disconnect the HVAC electrical connector.
DB14.gif
22. Loosen the screws (2 & 3) and disconnect the electrical connectors (1, 2 & 3).
DB15.gif
23. Remove the bolt (2) and the ground (1) from the left a-pillar.
DB16.gif
24. Disconnect the ABS module electrical connectors (1).
DB17.gif
25. Separate the center wire harness from the center support.
26. Remove the two center support bolts (3).
27. Remove the two left support bolts (2).
DB18.gif
28. Remove the passenger door sill trim cover (1).
DB19.gif
29. Remove the passenger side end cap.Drivers side shown, passenger side similar.
DB22.gif
30. Disconnect the antenna cable.
DB23.gif
31. Remove the bolt (1) and nut (4) and disconnect the grounds (2 & 3).
DB24.gif
32. Disconnect the antenna amplifier connector, if equipped.
33. Remove the right side support bolts (2) and with the help of another person, remove the instrument panel assembly from the vehicle.

 

sawzall and a crowbar, always worked for me,

 

Thanks, I'm going to attempt this this weekend- hopefully I can put it back together.

 

Lotsa pics now. Should help.

 

nice, the pics help a lot. The only area where I think I might have trouble is with removing the shift cable from the column shift lever actuator- probably just sounds more intimidating than it actually is- should I reconsider doing this considering that I do not know where in the vehicle the diagram for this procedure is illustrating? If this does not go well, you guys might see my truck for sale- parts only on this website j/k.

 

Let us know if you got any parts left over after you reinstall your dash . We might need a
part or two. LOL

 

It should be on the steering column inside the truck once you get that cover removed.