New 400ss instrument panel
- Thread starter Wilks
- Start date
Fossil Fuel
Member
its really great to find another source for panel work. Paneltronics in Fla does the original OEM for formula. When they were smaller they would do custom work. Now that they have outgrown us they have no time. Good Job finding this. Please repost on OSO. Thanks
FTL_Alan
New member
I callled Deep See and got a good quote for my 2008 350 dash panel, and also the rocker switch panels. Removing the dash was easy. Much more difficulty removing the rocker switch panels. The panels are held on by backer bolts. Getting to those bolts requires reaching up while laying on the floor, and it's pretty tedious work. When I removed the rocker switch covers, I found glue behind the blank covers, so those didn't snap off, they broke off. Wonder why the factory decided to glue those. It's the same color glue that also holds the backer bolts in place, so it looks original. Will post photos of the finished panels after they come back from Deep See.
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FTL_Alan
New member
For anyone about to do the same project (remove rocker switch panels) on a 350 SS, the steps are: 1) remove the glove box below the radio so that you can use that access hole to reach under the dash, 2) reach up and locate the bolts used to secure the panels to the dash, then use a 3/8" box end to remove the nuts. Photo shows position of the bolts that glued to the back of panel, to which there are nuts attached that snug the panel onto the dash, 3) after nuts are off, panel will separate from the dash, 4) examine the wire clips that attach to the switches, take photos, make a label for each wire and tape it to the wire so that you know exactly how to re-wire it, 5) use some WD40 to make it easier to get the clip disconnected, then detach each connection, 6) begin to remove each switch from the panel starting from the back, get a small screw driver and pinch the plastic that's holding the switch in place to the panel.. these switches are just pushed into the panel from the front and small tabs lock when it's pushed in all the way.. you just need to carefully reverse the procedure and the switches will come out by gently pulling on the switch cover from the front, 7) after all the switches are out of the panel, then you can begin removing the switch covers from each switch if you want to change those out.. don't try to remove the switch cover while the switch is still in the panel.
Alindquist
New member
I was able to get my switch covers off without removing the switch from the panel. It seem strange that they would glue yours, mine just snapped off. I redid my dash a month ago, along with a ton of other work. I need to redo my switch panels but I'm not looking forward to pull every wire to get the switch out... here's a before & after.
FTL_Alan
New member
My switches are inset into the panels, making it difficult to get a bite on the edge of the cover in order to pop it out. I see that your switches are not embedded into a panel, allowing a small screw driver to get a bite on the outside cover and then work across to the other switches. True, I can get the covers off w/o taking them out of the panel, but I have to pry from the bottom of the cover, and that's how I broke the first two blanks, which was no big deal since they are blanks, and it was odd that they were glued on. Y
Your new dash and panels look awesome. Who did the work? Also, how did you get the old plastic burl off of the steering wheel? Mine seems to be stuck on pretty good, won't pry off easily. Did you just get a srewdriver and pry it off?
Your new dash and panels look awesome. Who did the work? Also, how did you get the old plastic burl off of the steering wheel? Mine seems to be stuck on pretty good, won't pry off easily. Did you just get a srewdriver and pry it off?
Alindquist
New member
I made the new panels and had a local guy hydro dip them. Just a screw driver got the wheel apart. I’m happy with how that turned out. The wheel I was going to buy to replace it was almost $600 so this saved all of that...
FTL_Alan
New member
I thought I had carefully marked each wire that I disconnected from the rocker panel switches.. apparently not. Nothing worked when I re-wired and turned on the aux battery switch to give power to the panel. I do have the OEM wiring diagram from Formula (attached). If anyone else had had similar issues, how did you proceed to troubleshoot the problem? For example, did you disconnect all the wires and try each switch one at a time, starting with the end and work your way across to the next switch?
radiocontester
Member
Wow, just when I thought my 2019 checklist was close to completion I came across this post. Those new panels look amazing!
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Shannenski
New member
which Garmin did you change out too? What device is in the center console section? Its hard to read the brand.
Alindquist
New member
If you were asking me it’s a Garmin 7608 in the center and a 7612 on port side.