I tried to remove my 1968 non-rally gauge cluster yesterday and could not completely remove it from the dash. I took out the perimeter philips head screws and the lower steering column cover halves. I removed the speedometer cable and the wiring harness. The only issue I'm having now is the steering column (non-tilt) seems to be blocking the gauge cluster from tilting all the way out. Am I missing something? What else do I need to do? Any help/pics will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You need to drop the steering column (three nuts)so the gauge housing clears the wheel. Not a big deal but take note of the aluminum wedge at the rear bolt and mark it's position.

Also, you should be removing the entire gauge carrier (the plastic housing that holds the gauges). From your description above it sounds like you are trying to remove just the gauge cluster from the backside? Maybe I am missunderstanding your post...

Don't ask me how I got it out because it was way too long ago. I did take the steering column out though. But here are some pics of the back for reference. If I'm remembering right, that square slot on the right had something in it that made it tough getting It out.

Man, if my memory is this bad this is gonna be a long rebuild....

Colorado, thanks for the info. I will try it, watch the rear wedge and mark it's position.

Earlybird, I am trying to remove the whole unit.

Junior, the square slot is where the wiring harness clips into.

Thanks guys! I love this site!

See, I new sumptin' went in there

Yes, you have to remove the 3 bolts holding the steering column to dash bracket and let the column dangle down enough to clear the dash carrier.

OK guy time to pick your brains again.
I removed the gauge carrier successfully. I replaced all bulbs, making sure they were all good. Wire harness securely clipped in. My turn signal lights, idiot lights (brake, gen) work fine. What I can't seem to get to work is the gauge illumination lights. Headlight switch works. Maybe the dimmer is malfunctioning? Has this anything to do with my problem? The circuit board seems undamaged and in great condition. The bulbs and sockets work in other locations. I'm stumped. The speedo light used to work. The gas gauge light was broken, hence the reason for checking all the bulbs back there. What else can I check?

How do you know the headlight switch is definatley good? Try pulling the switch so the lights come on and then rotate the knob as if you were diming the dash lights, try pushing the switch in and out, put it in the running light position and rotate etc. My guess is that the headlight switch itself is bad. The power for dash lights comes from the switch and often the diming mechanism inside goes bad (the rheostat or whatever it's called that allows the diming go bad, the thing is, your headlights will still work even if the diming mechanism is toast)...

If the gage illumination worked before, you should back track your work. First make sure that the plug is seated all the way in. Also, my circuit board looked fine but was starting to delaminate slightly causing lighting issues. Replaced and all was good.

Did you completely reinstall the cluster with all the screws, or is it just hanging there for testing? The top center screw is used as a ground for the cluster. If that screw is missing it could be contributing to your problem.

Pete

Ground screw is connected.
Turn signals indicators work, brake, gen work. Even the high beam light works. Just not the illumination for the gauges themselves.

If you twisted the headlight switch reostat and that did not "undim" the gauge lights, I think your headlight switch is kaput.