Here is the setup:

Some idiot (me) decided to drill some holes into the dash for switches right above the driver's side speaker in the dash. (I did it when I first bought my Jeep a few years ago and am now just getting around to running wires) Well, I just purchased an OR-Fab sport cage (I highly recommend it) and am getting ready for the install. Anyway, I realized if I don't get some wire to those switches right now I certainly won't be able to do it after I put the cage in. So, I fabbed up a wire harness for each of the three switches then realized that there is no way for me to plug the connectors in to the back of the switches (not enough room for my hands) with the switches in the dash. I can't pull the wires through the holes and plug them into the switches first because I can't get the connectors to pull back through the threaded nut that tightens the switch against the dash (I hope that makes sense).

Possible options as I see it:

So, I'm thinking I could (1) ditch the connectors, buy a soldering iron and pull the wires through and solder directly to the switches which should allow me to still tighten the threaded switch nut;

-or-

(2) loosen the dash enough to get my hands back there to plug the wires into the switches with the connectors (I'm not talking about the side dash panel or the panels below the steering column...I'm talking about the actual dash panel that has the speaker grill on it)

I've searched and can't seem to find where anyone has pulled the dash. Any of you know if it is a relatively simple process of just loosening bolts? Is there anything significant I need to worry about?

Thanks in advance for all responses.

 

Yep, you need to take off the dash and loosen the front panels. The dash comes off with just 3 or 4 bolts as I remember so no biggy. Sounds like you're mounting them where I mounted mine:

 

Dude! Someone messed up your rig! Your steering wheel is on the wrong side!
(Sorry, but it just looks funny to us on this side of the pond)

 

Hey, I was away from the UK for donkey's years and am far more used to a leftie like you guys. Looks weird to me, too but am slowly adjusting to it.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Yep, I have pretty much the same switches in about that same location. Guess my project tonight will be to yank the dash.

 

i put mine in the same spot. No need to remove dash, just pop side panel out and you can access the rear of the switches from this opening no problem!

 

Then you must have a lot smaller hands than me I can't get in there far enough with my hand to put the connectors on the innermost switch. I even tried to put the connector on with a pair of needle nose pliers and I just couldn't get it to go.

 

sorry...i didn't see that you had the style of switch with the nut on the back...mine were the push in style with plastic tabs.

 

Did you try removing the speaker box? It is held in with 3 bolts and 1 or 2 wiring connectors. The driver side is the harder one to remove but that should still be easier than removing the entire dash.

 

Good idea, I may give that a shot first.