1970 Plymouth Cuda Headlight Switch

[cudanoob]

Any good videos on youtube of replacing the headlight switch. I am going to order a new one. Can't imagine it's too bad to do but I could be wrong. Any advice, videos or
pictures of this from start to finish? Thanks guys.

 

[pschlosser]

Rally or Standard dash? The side switch panel has to come out, on order to replace that switch. But I don't recall if the instrument cluster must also come out, in the process. If it does, dropping the steering column may be on the list of TODOs, along with the lower trim, etc.

 

[Challenger RTA]

. But I don't recall if the instrument cluster must also come out, in the process.

No. But dull the tape where it is put on the cluster to protect it.

Dash lights a Brighter possibility

 

[cudanoob]

Rally or Standard dash? The side switch panel has to come out, on order to replace that switch. But I don't recall if the instrument cluster must also come out, in the process. If it does, dropping the steering column may be on the list of TODOs, along with the lower trim, etc.

It's a Ralley Dash. Hoping the dash doesn't need to come out yet although at some point it will happen.

 

[pschlosser]

be sure to protect the left edge of the cluster like @Challenger RTA says. 90% or more of the rally clusters for sale at swamp meats show scratches on the edge mating to the left switch panel. As we're putting the switch panel back in, the back side has some metal edges exposed that will scratch up the wood grain rally instrument bezel.

 

[floyd]

It’s a bit of a bugger but doable. Take out the seat. Lower trim and heater control panel needs to come out (although I may have lowered the control panel and pushed it aside with cables still attached - can’t recall exactly). Steering column didn’t need to be dropped.

Recommend using low tack tape for protecting the edge. I had to swap out a dimmer switch. The blue 3M masking tape took some of the paint/printed woodgrain off the reproduction PCG. Very minor but slightly tragic. I do have some good recommendations for matching the various browns with model paint.

 

[pschlosser]

It’s a bit of a bugger but doable. Take out the seat. Lower trim and heater control panel needs to come out (although I may have lowered the control panel and pushed it aside with cables still attached - can’t recall exactly). Steering column didn’t need to be dropped.

Recommend using low tack tape for protecting the edge. I had to swap out a dimmer switch. The blue 3M masking tape took some of the paint/printed woodgrain off the reproduction PCG. Very minor but slightly tragic. I do have some good recommendations for matching the various browns with model paint.

@floyd why remove the seat? Especially if you're not dropping the steering column?

@cudanoob if you're super, super careful, you don't need to tape up the end of the rally dash. But one slip up, and presuming there were no scratches already in place, you may wish you had. I've done it without protection. But I took my time, listened to jazz, and it was chill. some dashes are already scratched up, there, so it may be less of an issue for some.

 

[cudanoob]

How many people on this board live in Arizona? I know there is at least one other person than me but hoping a few more are out here in the valley of the sun.

I found this link which is great for removing a headlight switch on a Cuda or a Challenger E Body.

Dash Switch Replacement

I was driving one night trying to beat the sunset. I knew my lights might cut out and I didn’t want to drive after dark. Well, I got a later start than I wanted and although my headlights wer…

thedodgekid.com

 

[pschlosser]

Let me assure you, this is not a difficult task. we just are all chiming in with our two-cents worth, and hope and want to give you every tip, we wish we had known prior to taking some of these tasks on. You could probably get this done without any input from us.

Be patient. Be observant. Go slow. It will become clear what has to come out, and unscrewed to get the switch panel out. Start low, and look up at the lower parts of the instrument cluster, and you will find some screws. Start there.

When this is done, you're gonna feel good about it. Keep us posted. Maybe it takes longer than you hoped.

Were I taking my time, I think it would take me most of a Saturday to get this done, from start to finish.

 

[floyd]

I took the seat out so I didn’t have to contort myself to get under the dash. Not a requirement, but it made it much easier.