Dash Board Removal for Electrical Wiring Restoration

[FarmallCubGal]

After removing the hood/gas tank, I'm still not able to access the back side of the dash because the hydraulics are in the way and I can barely see the screws holding the dash board, let alone access them. Any top tips on how to get the dash off? Thanks!

[Don McCombs]

A long ratchet wrench extension.

[Dale Finch]

It's a royal PITA! I use an extension on a 3/8 ratchet to reach the two bolts, but the right hand one may be blocked by the light switch and/or the clip holding the battery cable (if installed). It helps to use a universal or a wobble extension. Getting it tightened back down is equally troublesome!

Two words of caution:
1. Disconnect the battery efore you start working around the panel...easy to make contacts you don't want!!
2. If you decide to remove the clip on the lower right side to gain access...that clip can be a bigger pain to get back on unless you have very strong, very tiny, double-jointed fingers!!!

[Stalkcutter]

Suggestion;
Go to one of the home improvement stores and get yourself a claw pick up tool. The tool is about 36" long with a push button on the end that opens the claw on the other end. Put the head of the bolt in the claw and get the bolt started in the threads using this tool. Remove the claw tool from the head of the bolt and finish tightening with your extended ratchet wrench.

Lots of uses for this claw pick up tool.

Stalkcutter

[Dale Finch]

Oooo...I like that! Getting that 2nd bolt started has always been a test of patience!!!

[FarmallCubGal]

Oh boy, these replies were exactly what I had hoped for! Thank you, gentlemen!! I'm headed out this morning to get an extension and a claw!

[FarmallCubGal]

Ok so what is a "royal PITA"??

[Jeff Silvey]

Sent you a PM on the Pita.

[Stanton]

Bolts can also be installed using a very small magnet inside your socket to hold the bolt.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Bolts can also be installed using a very small magnet inside your socket to hold the bolt.

Another option is to hold a small piece of not3ebook paper over the socket while pressing the bolt into the socket.

[Steve Butram]

I start both bolts by holding the dash up about 3/8ths to 1/2 inch and just get them started with my fingers then tighten them up with long extension and a flex head socket

[FarmallCubGal]

Thanks for all the top tips! Thanks to you all, I managed to get the dash off, ole 'Shelly rewired and got the dash back on again. (Dale, oh boy you were not kidding about that clip. Total PITA). Used all the suggested tricks: grab-claw, universal socket joint on an extender, magnetized runaway bolt retriever tool. Without the tips, I reckon I'd still be wrestling the dash and the kids would be eating breakfast cereal and candy canes for dinner. Will hook up the battery in the morning, test the lights and repolarize. Still have to replace the fuel line and clean the gas tank, which is a rusty mess and probably at the root of the fuel issues! Thanks again!

Oh, and a big thanks to Jim Becker for the Cub wiring diagram. Having that on hand was also a huge time saver!

[CapeCodCubs]

Oh boy, these replies were exactly what I had hoped for! Thank you, gentlemen!! I'm headed out this morning to get an extension and a claw!

Actually you should have said "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen" Dale is a very serious Cub enthusiast who is like you a gal. She is very meticulous about her work on her Cubs and has a small fleet of Cubs that she and her sisters use to mow her property.

[FarmallCubGal]

Oh, that's awesome!! Dale, you GO, girl!! Wish you lived closer than NC!

[CapeCodCubs]

Oh, that's awesome!! Dale, you GO, girl!! Wish you lived closer than NC!

We all wish we lived closer, but we sometimes don't. My Cub gal Sarah and I meet Dale at a CubFest in Virginia. She brought us some equipment we purchased in SC. Went out of her way to get it to us at the CubFest.