The dash assembly was one part of my restoration that I was dreading. In accuality, it was fairly easy...more time consuming than anything really.
You want to remove the assembly as a complete unit. You can disassemble it on a bench. The installation process is the reverse of the removal. You can completely assemble it on the bench and install it as an assembly.
Once the A-pillar and kick panel trim is removed, dissconnect the main bulkhead connector from the firewall. Remove the wiring from the door switches, high beam switch, e-brake mechanism, console(if equipped) and the blower motor. Also disconnect the radio antenna. If the steering column is still in the car, disconnect the wiring and drop the column. You'll need to remove the two studs that secure the column too. Finally, you can take off the two fresh air cables from the bottom of the dash frame and disconnect the heater control cables from the bezel on the left side of the dash.
There are only 6 fasteners holding the dash assembly in the car. The 4 small bolts at the base of the windshield(inside the car) are inside the defrost slots. The windshield can still be in the car but it's a lot easier with the windshield removed. The only other two bolts are at the kick panels. Just loosen the two side bolts and the dash assembly will rotate back and out.
If your car has A/C there will probably be a few more items that need to be disconnected before the dash assembly can be removed.
Just take your time and restore each componant to the best of your ability. It's a lot of work but worth it in the end.
