How to remove dash pad from 1978 Ford F150 - 1981 Ford Bronco

Interesting Mike Bricker,

Problem is... it has been 40 years...
I had all the FoMoCo BOOKS... and a spanking new
(uncracked Dash Pad)... I did pull the gauges first
because they were a designer name (CARTIER) and
one gauge was bad...
(had a new CLUSTER from Hershey Swap meet
(yeah... I was one of those)).

This is how & why I became such an AVID FAN of getting and keeping the FACTORY WORKSOP MANUALS... Long ago
available from Ford Motor Company...
(still available BELOW $190)

Although I am pretty sure your mechanic is correct...
The dash PAD comes off the TOP...
Standing on your head is NOT REQUIRED unless you drop a screw... (highly recommend a flex magnet be around
(MORE HIGHLY RECOMMEND you Buy, BORROW
SHOP MANUALS))... !!

It is not as difficult on your Lincoln (one person job)...
as it would be on a Scat-Pack Charger or "Cuda
where the ENTIRE dash must come out... still fairly easy
but definitely a two person job...!!

Do TAKE PICTURES of your windshield and DOOR
trim... so you can sequence it back together properly.

It may SEEM obvious now but your parts are
getting RARE... and quite valuable.

Tape off your defroster ducts and places where you can drop screws... TAPE your loose screws to THEIR PARTS

You need only remove the trim all around the DASH top:
Should reveal bolts... If you have those flex sockets or
wobble extensions... Get them out.. because as I recall ...
I was convinced GLASS WENT IN after the bolts were.

Pretty sure...
YOU DO NOT have a straight shot at those bolts...
but STILL QUITE doable...!!

(see this weeks harbor-freight sale (below))

Display Products

Search results for wobble extension

1977 1978 Lincoln Town Coupe interior dash panel pad top metal upholstery...

Check for corroded wire connector kick pad driver side clean wire try this or change the connector

locate the motor , unhook the wires , take off 3 or 4 nuts ,install new motor,tighten nuts,put wires back on and your good to go!!! (motor should be either under passenger dash or under the hood.)

Vacuum diagrams for a 1978 Ford F150 are included in this shop manual https://www.fordshopmanual.com/ford-truck-shop-manuals/1978-ford-truck-shop-manual-pdf-download/

pick up a haynes manule there are a couple of great dash covers on the market
have a look at jegs and autozone

If you've never done a dash pad replacement before I would suggest getting an aftermarket cover77 88 EL CAMINO/MONTE CARLO FULLFACE NEW Dash Pad CAP, $87.99 ... (1) (Made 3 Ways) Sellers Choice New Dash Pad Cap for A 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 ...
www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=auction:view...
This is a snap on cover that covers your old one without it's removal,just paint it to match.Now you can get these from a lot of different places and I'm NOT recommending any business or company,just saying this is an easy way to get a nice looking dash without replacing it.

should be on your transmission

if the motor is out, you can drill small hole and use a slide hammer set up.if its still in the vehicle take small punh or chisel and knock the loose dont knock then in just hit them on the edge, they do make a replacement that is rubber and you tighten them in howevr the steal ones are much more riable too use

Check the fuse for the instrument cluster.