How to Replace Upper Dash Panel 1998-2012 Ford Ranger
Created on: 2016-09-13
How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a cracked or damaged upper dash panel on
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step 1 :Removing the Center Dash Panel
- Remove the three 7mm bolts on the top side of the dash bezel
- Remove the two 7mm screws on the center trim bezel below the radio
- Pry out the center trim panel with a flat blade screwdriver wrapper in tape
- Disconnect all of the electrical connectors and antenna
- Pry the 4WD selector out with a flat blade screwdriver
- Remove the 7mm bolt left in the center dash panel's frame
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step 2 :Removing the Knee Panel
- Remove the four 7mm bolts on the knee panel
- Slide the panel forward and off its hooks
- Remove the 7mm bolt nearest the steering wheel
- Remove the three 8mm bolts from the metal pan
- Remove the 7mm bolt near the steering wheel
- Pull the column down with the tilt option
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step 3 :Removing the Upper Dash Panel
- Put the key in and turn the vehicle on
- Shift the vehicle to first gear
- Pull the panel out
- Disconnect the electrical connectors
- Remove the panel
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step 4 :Installing the Upper Dash Panel
- Turn the key on
- Shift the vehicle into first gear
- Insert the dash panel into place
- Shift the vehicle into Park
- Remove the key
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step 5 :Reinstalling the Center Dash Panel
- Tighten the 7mm screw to the corner of the upper dash panel
- Tighten the 7mm screws near the instrument cluster
- Reconnect the center dash connectors
- Insert the center panel into place
- Tighten the two 7mm screws to the center panel
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step 6 :Reinstalling the Knee Panel
- Reinstall the 7mm screws at the bottom of the upper dash panel
- Reinstall the three 8mm bolts to the steel knee pan
- Insert the knee panel into place
- Tighten the 7mm bolts to the knee panel
Tools needed
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Socket Extensions
Flat Blade Screwdriver
8mm Socket
7mm Socket
Ratchet
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Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.
In this video, we're going to be working with our 2001 Ford Ranger. We're going to show you how to remove and reinstall the upper dash panel or the instrument cluster bezel.
If you like this video, please click subscribe. We have a ton more information on this truck, as well as many other makes and models. If you need parts for your vehicle, follow the link in the description over the 1AAuto.com.
Here are the items you'll need for this repair: 7-8mm socket, ratchet, extension, flat blade
Remove the three 7 millimeter bolts along the top side of your dash bezel with a socket and ratchet. Remove the two 7 millimeter screws on the center trim bezel below the radio. We use a small flat-blade screwdriver, with some tape on it to keep from marring our dash services, to pry out on this center trim panel. Reach back and disconnect all of the electrical connectors. The antenna pops right back and out. This last connector for the four-wheel drive selector is going to have to be pried up on with our flat-blade screwdriver. Remove this 7 millimeter bolt that was covered by our center dash panel.
Remove the four 7 millimeter bolts: one here, two below the hood release, and one all the way by our left foot, using a 7-millimeter socket and ratchet. Slide the knee pan forward toward you to release the hooks and remove it from the vehicle. Remove this 7 millimeter bolt through the access hole in this steel reinforcement behind the knee pan. Remove these three 8 millimeter bolts using a socket and ratchet. Pull back the knee panel. We'll remove this last 7 millimeter bolt.
Now we're going to put our column all the way down, if you have a tilt option. Put the key in, and shift the vehicle to first gear to get a little more room around the stick. Pull out on the dash, and lift up.
Using a flat blade screwdriver, remove this electrical connector for the interior dimmer switch. Push down on the tab. Release the other connector from the headlight switch.
We'll shift our truck down into first gear again, so we can lay our dash panel back in. When you get pretty close to getting it lined up, take a second to reconnect the electrical connectors for both the headlight switch and the interior dimmer switch. Lay the upper dash panel back into place and you'll see the metal clips and their holes. Line them up, snap them back in.
Shift the truck back into park. Remove your key. Reinstall the gold 7 millimeter screw at the top right corner of that upper dash panel. Reinstall the three black 7 millimeter screws into the top of the dash panel just before the instrument cluster. Reconnect the four-wheel drive selector connector. Reconnect the cigarette lighter. There's two wires there. Reconnect the radio harness, the antenna, the fog light switch, and the AC power outlet connector. Push the center panel back into place. Then reinstall the two 7 millimeter screws at the bottom of the panel. Reinstall two 7 millimeter screws at the bottom of the upper dash panel. Reinstall the three screws for the steel knee pan. Tighten them up with an 8 millimeter socket and ratchet.
Snap in the top of the plastic knee pan. Reinstall the four 7 millimeter screws along the bottom. Remember to reinstall the hood release and the two screws that go in there.
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