Access behind the dash (Range Rover III)

Access behind the dash is required for a number of repair and upgrade operations. The first time I had to get in there on my L322/LM was to instal a trailer brake controller for towing our travel trailer. (See the page on Outfitting the RR III for Towing). Another example is repair of the notorious steering column tilt mechanism and the accompanying telescoping mechanism. While I was doing the brake controler job I took more of the dash apart than was necessary wo I could find out how it is put together, and share the information with other owners.

Before you can remove the lower dash closing panel on either the driver or passenger side, it is necessary to remove the corresponding vertical panel that seals off the transmission tunnel in the footwell. Officially called the "center console closing panel", this is the one that contains the vertical wood trim on the left or right side of the heater controls. Removing this panel is quite easy, and is the same for left or right sides (right side described here).

Photo at right shows the right hand panel in place, with the glove compartment above it at upper right. Arrows and dots show positions of fixings (see below).

First, unscrew the single Phillips screw attaching the forward area of the panel to the fascia support structure in the footwell (right hand arrow in picture). Now, the panel is only held on by plastic clips. To be sure you don't break them while removing the panel, start by pulling the lower rear corner of the panel in the outboard direction. This will pull out the the two plastic studs oriented in the left-right direction (positioned roughly under the white dots in the photo at right). At the top of the panel is another built-in peg in the fore and aft direction (roughly where the left hand arrow is in the picture). This is disengaged by pulling the panel rearwards and slightly downwards after disengaging the first two clips.


Removing the panel after unscrewing the torx head fastener. Forst pull the bottom out, then pull the whole panel rearward.	Inside of right hand console finisher panel after removal. The panel is lying in the footwell with its bottom edge (at top of photo) against the center console, and its top edge closest to the camera. Bottom left arrow in photo points to fore-and-aft peg at top of panel, other two left arrows to the studs. Right hand arrow points to the torx screw fixing at the front end of the panel.	Photo showing access to components in the center console with this panel removed.

Under-Dash Closing Panel -- Driver's Side

With the center console trim panel removed, you can now get the panel above the footwell out, giving you some access to the area behind the lower dash. This sis simply called the "closing panel" in the shop manual. Its means of attachment varies slightly between driver and passenger sides. On the driver's side it is attached by four torx head screws and one trim stud. The latter is a cheesy plastic stud into which a plastic screw is inserted -- this attaches the panel to the firewall.

Picture coming soon -- watch this space.
Underdash panel fastenings	Above: Underdash closing panel lowered and multiplugs disconnected

When the panel is detached from its fastenings and lowered into the footwell, you have to disconnect the multiplug from the footwell light, and three multiplugs from the interior temperature sensor block in order to be able to remove the panel completely. For the light, a straight pull on the connector gets it out without any fancy catches. The other connectors have little wing tabs that have to pre pressed inwards to disengage the connector while it is being pulled out.

Under-Dash Closing Panel -- Passenger's Side

On the passenger's side the underdash closing panel is held on by four cheesy plastic Phillips head screws that screw into expandable plastic studs (see photos below) When they get a bit worn from repeated dismantling (as is inevitable on Land Rovers due to the need for frequent repairs), you might have to put tension on them by pulling down on the panel while iunscrewing them, otherwise they will just turn and not come out. When replacing the panel, getting the plastic studs to go back into their holes can be tricky because they get deformed. However, you can simply squeeze the two halves of a defective stud together to make it fit through its intended hole. The photos below illustrate the complete panel removal procedure.


Above: Removing fasteners from passenger side underdash panel Below: Lowering panel prior to disconnecting footwell light multiplug	Above: Panel removed to access underdash area Below Left: A plastic stud and screw Below Right: Plastic stud view from inside of panel. Note positioning peg on right.

More Information

Lower Fascia ends and "A" Pillar Access page
Trailer brake controller wiring

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Page last updated Oct 2006