[DeTomaso] The latest adventures in the garage

[Mark McWhinney]

>>  first, and most important, you must do some stretching of the back and
neck muscles. Then you lay on your back and cram your head under the dash.
with one arm you hold a flashlight, with your other arm, you move any wires
that are in the way and hold them out of the way and with your third arm you
remove the holder that the bulb goes into.
   
>>  Actually, the hardest part is just lying n your back and crawling under
the dash. The rest is pretty easy and goes pretty quickly. It does help to
have a good light source too.
   
>>  This is how I did it anyway...others will probably chime in with an
easier way.
   
 
first, and most important, you must do some 12 ounce curls with your
favorite beer.  Then you hold the beer in one hand while you undo the three
thumb screws on the console.  Pull the console towards you then push over
towards the driver's side to expose the backside of the four gauges.  Pull
and replace the bulbs.  Crush the now empty beer can on your forehead while
making macho grunting sounds.  Get a new beer.  Chug it down.  Now feeling
no pain, slip under the dash, pull the old bulbs, and replace.


Seriously though ... it is easier to do without seats.  If you can get your
seat out easily, do so.  I do not have seats in my car, so I can go from
standing to reading the backside of my tach and speedo in under five
seconds.  It is actually comfortable.  I can even get my legs in the car and
close the door.  

Also, a good, compact fluorescent shop light make life much easier under the
dash.