I have refurbished my dash and steering column in my 1969 ss396 chevelle.
I now want to install both back into the car. Should I put the dash in first to avoid scratching the column or the column first so I can use it to rest the dash on while I am hooking all the lights and wires to the dash ?
Any tips on the install will be much appreciated.

Just did another 69.
Dash first. You will have lots of room to plug in those sockets.
The cluster is mark above or below the socket holes for wire color...GRN,BWN,ect.. easy.
The grey single wired ones are the cluster lights.
Theres a ground wire for the wipers/headlight switches
The cluster has to be grounded
Theres a ground going to the ebrake bracket.
I forgot where my ground for the lights/wipers went so i ran it to the metal of the cluster and jumped it to the ground on the ebrake.
If you end up with dim cluster lights/one blinker light on or a gas gauge that moves when you turn the cluster lights up-down/running lights on you have a problem with a ground.

Thanks mychevelle for the advice. Everything worked out great except the left turnsignal
does not light up on the dash. It works outside though. I replaced all the bulbs. Not sure if it is grond or the bulb. Any advice before I go back in there it investigate ?