I am finally ready to install a new dash pad. However, I was warned that it is not as easy as it looks.

Please share your tips with me before I pull the wrong bolt, and the whole steel dash falls out.

thanks.....Bob

You would be well served to drop the steering column and then drop the dash so that you could get behind it to take the pad loose.
Those screws you see under the pad at the top of the dash with the dash in are the ones that take the dash loose and not the pad. There will also be a screw on each side of the dash into the body vertically.
Not that big of a deal to drop the dash and save you a lot hassle unless you are rubber band man.
Hope this helps.

trial and error is such a beautiful thing....
heres my .02...
disconect the battery.
take the four bolts at the bottom of the dash out (right and left sides under the metal dash panel).
loosen the 2 flange nuts and the bolt that retain the steering column to the support.
remove the fasteners holding the steering column cover at the firewall. the column will need to be able to lower a bit but not removed - although it would make it much easier.
there is a firewall/to/dash strut brace that is attached just to the left of the glove box. take that bolt out at the bottom.
remove the phillips hd screws under the lip of the metal dash panel at the top and also the 2 on each side of the dash.
this should allow you to lower the dash enough to access the fasteners to the dash pad. kind of slide it back and down. you may want another set of hands to use to keep from scratching up anything.
hope this helps....remember patience and have fun !!

thanks Gents.....glad that I asked. Should my "3-on-the-tree" shifter linkage cause any problems??

And, when I have the dash down...what else should I repair or replace while the whole unit is accessable??

My goal . . . only pull it apart one time!!

Bob

What's been posted so far is good. I can't exactly remember, but aren't there a second set of nuts holding the pad.

ONe easy thing to check out is the front speaker. Not much else is easy to replace unless you get the dash entirely out.

I would replace all the little bulbs while you had it out where you could work on it. Also clean all connections.
Hey do you all know the size of the screws that go into the sides of the dash. I still have to put mine in but can't remember the size.
Hey, maybe when you pull your dash out you can share with me the size/length.
Oh, make sure to put a towel on the steering column so when you drop the dash you won't skin it up.

Be forwarned, I bought a new colored dash pad and it would hardly fit the car! Had to have my original redone so don't tear up your original trying to get it out.

by all means if you take it out completely > replace your heater core with a new. check and replace any of the airbox cables. at least grease them up with some white lith if they check out ok...