re:  Date: Mon, 7 May 2012 12:57:05 -0700
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Note to self about Dash Removal

Ben has a nice how-to at <http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm>

I followed it and it worked out right nicely.

Now I'm putting things back together.

First note to self: before pulling the steering wheel, put a mark on it
so I can tell when it's on right. I expect the steering wheel and the
van will be disagreeing about the van's direction of travel.

Second note to self: Bring 24mm socket so I can pull and straighten out
steering wheel once wheels are straight
 
 
I just did a complete job on dash, (couldn't have done it without Ben's pictoral tutorial) heater unit, wwasher, well just everything.  I didn't know re marking steering wheel and then read in Samba that someone had difficulty getting the dash back on if 2 brackets aren't in correct position.  Too late for me but what I did when remounting the 2 brackets I left slight slack (just a titch not tight!) so that when I had to put the dash on I could move the brackets to fit.  And I put regular bolts in place of those PITA cone headed bolts   gggggrrrrr 
 
Though I'm no automotive engineer, those "sheer bolts" can not possibly be any safety feature in that they direct the column any specific way, simply because they are identical and at identical positions on the base so that just doesn't make sense.  I've added a "kill switch" if someone wants to steal my SCOOBY!
 
  Today I re-removed the bleached out vents on the front and side of the dash and spray painted them with flat black (my dash, etc.... has brown and black) and they look much better.
 
Also added a shift extender from BD.  Gosh I almost have an orgasm every time I shift now.  WHAT A difference!!  Had to grind down my shift knob to fit but it worked out GREAT!  This shift extender (or anyone) should be mandatory.  Even improves the gear shifting smoothly.

Zee that's  ZedEE or DAIZEE  aka gtadaizee