'88 dash pad removal

[Rimjam]

Got the inst bezel off, removed eight upper & lower screws, got the speakers out, loosened the controller for elec 4wd. The pad is loose but hits something pretty substantial when I pull on it, will only move out about an inch. Sure don't want to break something. How 'bout it knowledgeable people?

 

[svtcards]

Did u remove the 4 star bit screws by the windshield heater vent area?make sure the trim for the windshield pillars aren't interfering.if all looks good you LL need to pull back and up a little.it does come out a tad hard but it will come out if u are sure all screws r removed.also if when u removed your speakers did u put the screws back on that held speakers in place so not to lose them?if u did then check to c if screws r to long, they might be hitting framing behind dashpad.

 

[bobbywalter]

All of the center bezels out? Headlight knob and bezel?

 

[Paulos]

I've never taken the dash pad out before, but here are the relevant pages from the 1987 Shop Manual.

 

[Rimjam]

Thanks all for helpful suggestions. The trick was to pull the left side loose first by couple inches, not try to pull whole thing off at once. I was finally able to clean the VIN behind the windshield really well. Amazing how much gunk had built up even tho truck gets garaged every nite.