At some point I will get a new windshield and I wondered if it was a lot easier to replace the dash with the windshield out of the truck. Anybody done that?

 

I have taken them out at the junkyard both windshield in and out. I didn't see any real difference except you don't need a long extension while taking out the dash to cowl bolts along the top.

Don't forget your VIN tag is riveted to that piece of plastic, have a plan for dealing with it before you start.

 

Thanks Pat, do you mean it's riveted to the dash itself?

 

It is riveted to the plastic dash-top - the piece infamous for cracking and that is held in by the "dash to cowl" bolts that Pat mentioned.

 

Man oh man. Chrysler... why??

What have guys done in the past when replacing the dash? Gotta have a VIN these days or your vehicle will get confiscated and crushed.

 

I'm not qualified to offer legal advice...
so what I'm not telling you that I would do is carefully drill out the rivets, and rivet your vin plate to the new dash top. If it makes you feel better, go to National Parts Depot's Mustang catalog and get some vin-plate rivets (check the size, though).

Also, you should still have the sticker on the door-jamb with the vin.

To be sure, call whatever office is in charge of such things (in TX, either Department of Public Safety or Tx Dept of Transportation) and ask them what you need to do.