03 Dash Removal?

C0D3917 · April 8, 2004

Can anyone tell me how exactly I should go about removing my dash in order to install my new gauges? I just got a new escalade platinum gauge cluster, but no instructions. I am wondering if there are any screws, bolts or clips I should know about, or have to remove in order to install the gauges. Any help is appreciated. Thanx.

99-2door · April 8, 2004

Take off the bezel and you will see 4 screws with a 7mm head to remove the cluster. The plug on the top, just ..well unpugs. Simple as that. Did you have to have the unit programmed to match your mileage or is 03 different than 99-02?

Shaners · April 8, 2004

99-2door is right. It is very simple...

The plastic bezel that surrounds the dash from the drivers door to the other side of the radio just pops off. Take it off and wiggle it over the steering wheel to get it out of your way, and you'll see the 4 7mm bolts holding the cluster in place. Remove the bolts, pull out the cluster, and disconnect the wire harness... reverse the procedure when you install your new cluster.

C0D3917 · April 8, 2004

Thanx for the info, sounds pretty straight forward. I'm having the mileage transferred through a buddy of mine who works at the local GMC dealership here in town. All ready to go now, just need to get the old one out and the new 1 in. When pulling the dash bezel off is there any trick to it? Should I start at a certain point, pull a certain direction, or just dive in? Thanx again guys.

dogzapper · April 8, 2004

Thanx for the info, sounds pretty straight forward. I'm having the mileage transferred through a buddy of mine who works at the local GMC dealership here in town. All ready to go now, just need to get the old one out and the new 1 in. When pulling the dash bezel off is there any trick to it? Should I start at a certain point, pull a certain direction, or just dive in? Thanx again guys.

Just adjust the steering wheel to the lowest position and shift the transmission lever down (obviously, with the rig not running and the emergency brake set). Then, the bezel is pried off with your fingers (I start on the left) and the bezel comes up and over. Don't be surprised if your emergency blinker starts blinking.

Steve

C0D3917 · April 8, 2004

Thanx for the info. Hopefully I can get some pictures up when I'm all finished. Should go off without a hitch!

NothinButBowTies · April 8, 2004

Thanx for the info, sounds pretty straight forward. I'm having the mileage transferred through a buddy of mine who works at the local GMC dealership here in town. All ready to go now, just need to get the old one out and the new 1 in. When pulling the dash bezel off is there any trick to it? Should I start at a certain point, pull a certain direction, or just dive in? Thanx again guys.

Just adjust the steering wheel to the lowest position and shift the transmission lever down (obviously, with the rig not running and the emergency brake set). Then, the bezel is pried off with your fingers (I start on the left) and the bezel comes up and over. Don't be surprised if your emergency blinker starts blinking.

Steve

The only other thing that I would add is that it takes little no effort to pull the bezel off and put it back on. If you think you are putting to much stress on it then you probably not lined up with the tabs in the dash. Take is slow and easy and you will have no problems!

Plainsman · April 10, 2004

Maby dumb question but, couldnt you just "hide" milage that way? Just pop in a new cluster? What am I missing here.

So why wouldnt you order the truck with a spare cluster and pop in the new one a few thousand before trade?

There has to be a check\balance somwhere else.

NothinButBowTies · April 10, 2004

Maby dumb question but, couldnt you just "hide" milage that way? Just pop in a new cluster? What am I missing here.

So why wouldnt you order the truck with a spare cluster and pop in the new one a few thousand before trade?

There has to be a check\balance somwhere else.

Mileage is stored in more places than the gauge cluster. I would imagine that if they hooked a Tech II to it and found the real reading you could probalbly be charged with fraud (if it was a lease vehicle).

But then again, my fist truck was a ford ranger with a mechanical speedo. When I bought it, the odometer had just been replaced because the other failed under warranty. They put a sticker on the inside of the door stating the legal replacement of the speedometer. Needless to say the truck was totalled in an accident and the milage on the odometer only said 38,000 miles. The insurance company paid me for that mileage (they should have looked at the sticker! )