GMC Motorhome: More on Ruby and friends dash rebuild

With enclosure patterns, vents and control panel ordered for the component placement and mounting, I have all 3 dash/AC projects in house so while waiting for our parts it’s time to take apart the second dash in the 3 coach project.  This next coach is a 23′, 1976 model with the type 2 (2 vent AC duct under the main dash.  Here’s what we have before I go in

Not a bad looker and restored this dash 18 years ago… held up well but now we’ll take the whole thing to the next level.  OK, lets take Texas Tux apart.

First is removing the installed back then basic Mac dash.  Kinda neat…… just like the prewire, service loop harnesses wired into Ruby, this dash was built with a standard cable operated speedo but the rest of it was wired the same as Ruby was today……. I’ve been installing Mac’s dashes the same way since the beginning….. take the speedo cable out, unplug the molex connections and the dash comes out in 1 piece   Next is to cut the dash in half removing the original plastic dash supports …. this is a fun part!  Still a raft of wires going everywhere, after 18 years of scotch locks and wiring added all that will have to come out……. everything is taken out down to the original wiring    Never fear I can do this… and the layers of wires are removed 1 circuit at a time outsieand inside as well

So as the sun went down here is the progress on Texas Tux… side panels will also come out for refinishing, the stretched vinyl on the passenger side of the dash is coming off for a new wrap and the red carpet will go for the meantime though it project my knees Stay tuned for more…..

This morning I’m delivering a coach for it’s next restoration phase being done at another shop.  Hey, it’s fine with me…… with mechanicals done it can now be driven…. our work load is such that we are not continuing this project.  I’ll be gone a good part of the day delivering it… stay tuned, I’ll do pics for ya.

Of course other stuff is happening, these dash projects are mine…… with the blue Ford 4wd pickup done, the 57 stretch limo making it to the Turkey rod run on Thanksgiving …. musical chairs has a whole new series of projects on the guys minds…. me too.  I’m excited I get to stay on these dash/AC projects……. fun times….

I continue to see the visits increase watching the dash stuff… come on in, the waters fine… I’m hoping to answer that age old problem of a crappy dash AC… thanks for watching and stay tuned…… Wish me luck on the delivery and I’ll see ya tomorrow……

Liked it? Take a second to support jimbounds on Patreon!