gauge cluster removal

[ranger_mclaren]

my mom gave me her 87 ranger for parting out or for what ever i wanted. so i decided do try to take the gauge cluster out to get some bulbs because the last half of my speedo is burned out and i thank some of my dummie lights don't work so i refered to my repair manual for step by step instuctions on how to. but with after a half hour and fustation this is what it looked like when i was done:

there is no other way to remove'em even after i ripped in half i still couldn't get my hand behind it to pull out the connector and speedo cable. WTF am i missing i'm not even going to attept to remove the one in the truck i drive its impossible to dissconnect it

 

[Captain Ledd]

I have no idea man. I've had my '84's dash apart a number of times, never had a problem.

With the speedo cable I unbolted the front part (white plastic), pulled it out a bit, and then reached behind it to pull it off.

 

[OldJunk]

Pull the cluster out to you, twist it to left. You should be able to get your hand back there and squeeze the speedo disconect......Have band aids ready.

 

[kunar]

you can reach up under the dash and get to tit while the cluster is still installed. just trace the cable up from where it runs through the floor. squeeze the 2 raised parts of the white ring and pull the cable out.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

after i unbolted the white pastic part i tried to pull toward myself but the tech side only came out a half inch and the speedo side barly came out a quarter inch and i have smaller hands and there was no way i could reach behind and remove anything. pulling harder is what ripped it in half.

 

[OldJunk]

Did you disc. the elect. connector from the back of the cluster first? that helps.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

nope, couldn't reach it?!

 

[OldJunk]

Yeah, thats the problem i had to use a long reg. screwdriver to get at it, after it came out i cut away some of the elec. tape on harness to get back in easier.

 

[low_five]

lol dude you went crazy on it.

 

[RobbieD]

It helps once the cluster is unbolted to then pull on the speedometer cable down at the rubber grommet on the lower firewall. That'll give a little more cable slack for pulling the cluster out from the dash, so that you can reach behind it to disconnect the wiring connectors and speedo cable.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

well thanks for the info i'll give it try again hopfully it'll have a better out come thanks again.