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Topic: Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD (Read 9 times) previous topic - next topic
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Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Yahoo Message Number: 136588
Ok.. So I'm going to get the old LD smogged tomorrow if things work out.. Last time was the first time having it smogged since we bought it ~2 years ago -- the smog guy wanted the dog house removed so he could look inside and told me next time to make sure it was removed before coming over...
 So, I was able to find the thin Chevy owners manual that briefly describes where the bolts/screws are that hold the outer doghouse (plastic part) to the metal inner doghouse..
 I was able to pull the inner piece out by about 6 inches but it is interfering with the front seats.  The passenger seat is rotated to help but it is still in the way -- I just can't pull it out enough to clear the radio area so I can fully remove it..
 Do I need to pull the passenger front seat out or is there some other trick I need to know about?  Thanks in advance!

-- Rick
Re: Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136589
Quote
Do I need to pull the passenger front seat out or is there some other trick I need to know about?  Thanks in advance!
Yours apparently has a rotating base on the passenger seat, which most do not - my experience is with the fixed base. I found if I pulled the doghouse straight back to the seat bases, then rotate it slightly so the top part was parallel to the dash edge above, that I could just squeeze the gasket past the dash by rocking the doghouse as I lifted the front up. If that will not work, then you may have to remove that rotating base.
 If you have to remove the seat, I would just leave it sitting out of the way until you get back, so you can put the doghouse back to drive.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136591
Are you trying to swivel the doghouse back on its rear hinges, or remove it altogether? If you are having difficulty getting clearance in order to tilt it back, you might find it easier to simply unbolt it from the floor.
 In my case, I never bother to tilt - I just remove the two fastened hinges from their floor mount. I still need to push both seats back as far as they can go, but the doghouse has plenty of room to clear the dash.

K
Re: Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136596
Rick, on my '89 Chevy chassis I have rotating front seats.  I never was able to get that doghouse out without removing the passenger seat.  Getting that seat out is no problem.  There are four bolts holding it to the floor.  Getting it back in is more of a challenge but if you have someone to help hold things it isn't too bad.  The seatbelt apparatus comes off with the seat and everything has to line up well on the replacing of the seat.
 Like most things in life, it all comes apart easily.  Putting things back together is more difficult, but doable.

Gary in Chico, CA
Re: Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136599
Quote
Thanks Steve.. I'll give it a try in the morning!!
You might try a different smog station. When we had our '06 smogged they didn't require the doghouse be removed. Maybe on an older rig it's different?  -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136605
On Feb 2, 2013, at 2:49 AM, "Regan"  wrote:

Quote
Are you trying to swivel the doghouse back on its rear hinges, or remove it altogether?
I've actually removed the bolts from the floor and the 4 screws -- I'm trying to just remove it altogether...
Thx

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Re: Doghouse removal - 1985 Chevy LD
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136606
On Feb 2, 2013, at 8:42 AM, Gary Estep  wrote:

Quote
Rick, on my '89 Chevy chassis I have rotating front seats. I never was able to get that doghouse out without removing the passenger seat. Getting that seat out is no problem. There are four bolts holding it to the floor.
Thanks Gary and everyone else!
 I'll probably just remove the passenger seat which should give plenty of clearance...  In looking at the passenger seat, it is mounted on a tall metal mount-- do you remove it from the mount or remove the mount from the floor?  Thx!

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