Changing Dash Lights /79 C10

[flashed]

I searched but did not find what I needed . Do I need to take the Dash cover off to take the Gauge cluster out to change bulbs ? Im usually on the 67 to 72 side of things but bought a nice low miles 79 Bonanza Big 10 .

[sweetk30]

gauge bezel off . radio knobs pulled to clear holes . plastic trim under steering column off . maybe pull headlight knob out and squeaze pin on the body of the switch behind the dash this is to help clear the hole . then pull gauge cluster 4 hex screws . if auto unclip the shift indicator cord or you will break it . it clips on the steering column . then unclip the speedo cable on the back and unclip the master wire plug and she is out .

[Dead Parrot]

IF you are short and/or skinny and you AND have flexible arms and remove any AC venting under the dash, it is possible to reach the twist off bulb holders without removing the cluster.

But if the cluster has never been out, it is likely that there is some corrosion that is best removed by pulling the cluster. Also with the cluster out, you can clean and re-paint the insides. Several threads on the subject.

Not unusual to have to bend the dash cover a bit to get it to clear things.

IIRC, by 79 they had switched to an electric sender oil gauge. My 75 cluster has a mechanical oil gauge with a small metal line to the engine block. But something to double check in case a PO swapped in an earlier cluster for some reason.

Watch for the green turn signal and blue brights small flat pieces of plastic. They like to wander off and can break fairly easy.

[flashed]

Thanks for all the replies , dont think anything other than the seat cover has been changed , had 64,000 original miles when I bought it a few weeks ago . Its the best driving truck I have ever owned , no squeeks or rattles , and just a pleasure to drive . The AM radio works when you can find a station .