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Topic: Remove dash for LD 2003 (Read 362 times) previous topic - next topic
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Remove dash for LD 2003
Greetings!

I'm attempting to remove the dash (the fake wood panel from the head light switch on the left to the radio on the right).

There are plugs (with a spring-like clasps) that keep the panel installed to the dash. These pop out when you use a pry bar on the edge of the panel (and if you can access the back side, a little squeeze on the clasps). So far things are going well.

I am getting to the head light area of the panel and it feels pretty tight. I'm not sure if the head light plate is built in to the wood panel or if it needs to be removed first. I watched a YouTube video for removing the dash panel from a 98 e450 cab and the gentleman in the video unscrewed the plate. It seems mine does not unscrew.

Does anyone have any intel on removing the dash panel from a 2003- 2007? (which I believe are all the same generation of cab)

Thanks for any help!

-m
2003 MB
Re: Remove dash for LD 2003
Reply #1 –
Why do you want to do this?
Re: Remove dash for LD 2003
Reply #2 –
"Thanks for any help!"

A call to Vince at the factory should give you the info you want!  ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
 
Re: Remove dash for LD 2003
Reply #3 –
Quote from: parussky  - 
Why do you want to do this?

Stock e450 chassis has the cigar lighters wired to be always on. I'd like to be able to leave items plugged into the outlets, but not drain the engine battery.

Thus, I'd like to wire the 12v ports to an "accessory" fuse so that the outlets only turn on when the key is turned.

Thanks,

-m
2003 MB
Re: Remove dash for LD 2003
Reply #4 –
Quote from: mzagrabe  - 
Stock e450 chassis has the cigar lighters wired to be always on. I'd like to be able to leave items plugged into the outlets, but not drain the engine battery.
I leave the items plugged in, but pulled out enough that they aren't making contact. Easy. I could leave them plugged in, since they don't draw much current when they aren't being used (GPS nav, hand-held aircraft radio, USB charger) and I have a dual output solar panel regulator with one output that keeps the engine battery fully charged when I'm parked.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Remove dash for LD 2003
Reply #5 –
I think ripping up the dash is the wrong approach. Why don't you just look for the proper wire going to the fuse panel and reconnect it to the accessory feed, for instance the power window ciruit. A key position "accessory' could be selected to keep your outlets on with the engine off, or not.  The unused radio wiring could be used, since Lazy Daze feeds power to the radio and CB radio from the house batteries. You could power the dash outlets off of the house battery if you are just trying to protect the engine chassis battery.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Remove dash for LD 2003
Reply #6 –
Quote from: mzagrabe  - 
Greetings!

I'm attempting to remove the dash (the fake wood panel from the head light switch on the left to the radio on the right).

There are plugs (with a spring-like clasps) that keep the panel installed to the dash. These pop out when you use a pry bar on the edge of the panel (and if you can access the back side, a little squeeze on the clasps). So far things are going well.

I am getting to the head light area of the panel and it feels pretty tight. I'm not sure if the head light plate is built in to the wood panel or if it needs to be removed first. I watched a YouTube video for removing the dash panel from a 98 e450 cab and the gentleman in the video unscrewed the plate. It seems mine does not unscrew.

Does anyone have any intel on removing the dash panel from a 2003- 2007? (which I believe are all the same generation of cab)

Thanks for any help!

-m

Closing the loop for anyone that sees this topic in the archives.

The plate behind the headlight switch does unscrew. I was wrong when I posted that mine did not seem to unscrew. I was able to get the dash bezel off after unscrewing that plate.

I did end up rewiring the back side of the cigar lighters. I purchased a used fuse block off ebay for a 2003 Ford E450 chassis. This seemed to be essential to get the loose terminals that are the female receivers for the fuses. I was able to solder a wire from the loose terminal to the cigar lighter back side. Then I inserted the loose terminal into a slot where when the fuse is inserted it bridges between the loose terminal and an "accessory" loose terminal.

If anyone has any questions about performing a similar operation on their rig, I'd be happy to offer advice or answer any inquiries.
2003 MB