2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission A-pillar Removal?

[WMonroe]

What holds the A-pillar on? I'm afraid to pull on it too hard because I don't want to break it. (I'd rather spend the money on a #11 plate instead of a new A-pillar ).

Thanks for all replies.

Will

 

[Piston Slapper]

A-Pillar

Just pull it. Has Clips on it that fit into a slot that are tension loaded to keep it it. Just pull straight on the top and you'll get it loose. TWo clips on it total. One at top, one in the middle. bottom is just held on by the dash. ONce you get the clips loose, pick up toward top of truck to get it out.



Good luck... .

 

[WMonroe]

Thanks alot. I will go try it, I'm trying to hide my cb wires behind it.

Thanks

Will

 

[WMonroe]

Anyone that has a cb what are you using for your power source? I was thinking of tapping into the hot wire for the cigarette lighter and then I would just use the power outlet for anything I need to plug in. I was wondering if maybey there was somewhere easier to gain power?

Thanks

Will

 

[HerbW]

Where to get power?

Remember, the cigarette lighter looses power when the key is off. When I put my "A" pillar gauges in, I tapped the large size solid blue wire coming down the steering column from the ignition switch. This is behind the plastic cover under the wheel held on by three screws and two clips. This also turns off when you take the keys out. On my '98 truck, I have a second accessory plug in the dash that never looses power if that's what you need, then tap it.

 

[WMonroe]

Herb--Do you know what is fed by the blue wire? I just don't want to overload anything.

Thanks

Will

 

[DDT]

I hooked mine in at the fuse panel beside the drivers door. I used a male spade connector. It is hot all the time. a test light will find it.

 

[Clinton]

I went straight to the battery for the CB. Hot all the time and you have to remember to turn it off when you shut down, but it really wasn't any trouble to go that route. I took the wire through the rubber grommet in the firewall on the driver's side. Supposedly, this cuts down on alternator whine and electrical noise. It is also what the TSB on adding radio equipment advises. Good luck.

 

[davemac]

I mounted my cb on the roof next to the overhead console. Just used the hot wire to that. No wires down the a-pillar. It is a constantly hot power source & I`ve left the cb on for up to 5 days. No problem

 

[Andy Redmond]

Piston Slapper owes you a new a-pillar cover!



Seriously, the clips may have been broken anyway.



The 94-97's clips comes loose from the plastic pillar. The "plasti-weld" was poor to say the least. A carefully placed pilot hole and screw, usually makes it nice and solid place to anchor your gauge pod to the oe cover.



The pre 98's (94-97) have metal clips screwed to the steel a-pillar and the cover has plastic clips that slide over them.



Remove the door/carpet sill protector's 4 screws. Don't forget the fifth one near / under the parking brake pedal. Remove the sill protector. Then grasp the apillar and slide it towards the open door (not into the cab from sitting in the driver's seat perspective).



It should slide right out. East and west, that's it!



Good luck

Andy



Good luck,

 

[HerbW]

To Will Monroe

I don't have a drawing to know what exactly the large blue wire feeds, but my dealer installed alarm was wired to it by them. There is one large red wire and one large blue wire there. The red is hot always, the blue is behind the key switch. I read that the gauges that I installed only need a one amp fuse, so I didn't worry too hard about current draw. I installed a fuse holder inline between the blue wire and the gauges just in case I grounded out it didn't take out anything. I then removed my headlight switch and tapped the light brown wire for gauge lighting that also dims with the factory dimmer. This also is protected by an inline fuse. I solder and heatshrink all connections to be sure all's right. Let us know! Herb

 

[WMonroe]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I ended up going straight to the battery for power. I pulled the wire through the rubber grommet that the hood release cable goes through. It went rather smoothly. I hung the cb on the ceiling in between the sunvisors. All I have left to do is wire in the antenna and I'll be in business. Thanks again for all the advice.

Will

 

[Woodenhead]

All I have left to do is wire in the antenna and I'll be in business.

Don't forget to tune it (that is if it's one that requires tuning)



Mike

 

[illflem]

I guess since you didn't say anything that Piston Slapper doesn't owe you a new a-pillar cover!

For what it's worth the service manual says to have a replacement A-pillar cover on hand before removing the old one. Guess DC expects them to break.

 

[WMonroe]

Woodenhead- I got one that you don't have to tune. It's my first one like that so we'll see how well it works.



No I didn't break the A-pillar cover. It actually came off rather easily. I guess I got lucky and have strong plastic welds.

 

[Piston Slapper]

I was wondering what I owed for too?? Oh well...