K5 Dash and front interior panel assembly

[brans87]

I have never had interior in my 87 K5 and now have all the pieces to reinstall the front interior and dash but was curious if any one here could tell me the order that the parts need to go in.
New dash pad with clips/screw, A-pillars, pieces below A-pillar between dash, kick panels and headliner with needed trim.
Any advice would be good. Know I can do trail and error but figured would ask here first. I do not yet have weather seals for doors if wondering. Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[midnitewarya]

First thing, get you some nice stainless screws, self tapping if you can find them. If you have any of the original screws, bring those along. Try and find some slightly larger than the originals. Make sure they are stainless! Next, go over your metal and inspect all of the original holes from where the old interior was screwed in. Make note of any holes that look stripped out or too big. You can try and fix them by pounding them down, but it'// be easier to use a larger screw.

1. Headliner. Doing this will take care of the pillar trims and roof trim. (Heavy duty two sided tape is awesome.)
2. Kick panels.
3. Any trim left over.
4. Dash. Make sure all of the clips are in their respective holes in the metal framing before you give it that final push. This goes a long way to making the instrument panel fitting.
5. Instrument cluster panel.

Take your time, don't tighten anything down until it is all in. Use a power drill and set the torque real low. Finish all you can by hand, to prevent stripping and cracking the plastic.

 

[midnitewarya]

Oh snap. Make sure you put your sunvisors on before ANY of the trim.

 

[brans87]

Got the headliner in tonight and A-pillars set in place. Just got figure out how to slide all wiring for audio etc through pillars to keep it clean since no carpet (entire inside Raptor lined.

 

[midnitewarya]

You should have plenty of room behind the pillar trim to run a decent amount of wiring. If not, spread the wiring evenly between the two pillars. Also, the A-pillars themselves are hollow, GM put all of their wiring inside the pillar itself. I use a coat hanger. The opening comes out about mid dash level through a hole between the inner and outer skin.