Instrument Panel: Installation

All vehicles 

CAUTION: To avoid damage to the instrument panel, an assistant is required when carrying out this step.
NOTE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are correctly routed when installing the instrument panel.
1. Install the instrument panel.
   • Install, but do not tighten, the 6 instrument panel side bolts.
CAUTION: When installing the instrument panel upper bolt, care must be taken to prevent damage to the windshield.
2. Install the instrument panel upper cowl bolt.
   • Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
3. Install the instrument panel upper cowl bolt cover.
4. Install the LH instrument panel side bolt.
   • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
5. Install the LH instrument panel side bolt cover.
6. Tighten the 6 LH and RH instrument panel bolts.
   • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
7. Install the rear footwell duct extension.
8. Install the LH and RH instrument panel support brackets.
9. Install the 6 LH and RH instrument panel support bracket bolts.
   • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
10. Install the LH and RH rear footwell duct connector pushpin retainers.
11. Install the lower ground wire and bolt at the LH lower cowl.
    • Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
12. Connect the 3 electrical connectors at the LH lower cowl.
13. Connect the 5 SJB electrical connectors and the LH bulkhead electrical connector.
Fig 1: Identifying Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Connect the BPP sensor electrical connector.
15. Lower the glove compartment door.
    • Open the glove compartment door.
    • Press the 2 glove compartment door retaining tabs and fully lower the glove compartment door.
16. Connect the electrical connector located on the heater core and evaporator core housing.
17. Close the glove compartment door.
    • Lift upward on the glove compartment door.
    • Press the 2 glove compartment door retaining tabs and fully close the glove compartment door.
18. Connect the blower motor electrical connector.
    • Install the wire harness pin-type retainer onto the heater core and evaporator core housing.
19. Install the ground wire and bolt located at the RH lower cowl.
    • Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
20. Connect the 3 electrical connectors and the antenna cable located at the RH lower cowl.
CAUTION: Do not allow the upper steering column shaft to rotate while the lower steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
21. Install the upper steering column shaft onto the lower steering column shaft.
22. Install a new upper steering column shaft-to-lower steering column shaft bolt.
    • Install the ignition key and rotate the steering wheel to gain access to the upper steering column shaft-to-lower steering column shaft bolt.
    • Tighten to 28 Nm (21 lb-ft).
23. Rotate the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
24. Install the hood release handle.
    • Install the hood release handle bolt.
25. Install the RH and LH lower cowl trim panels.
    • Install the 4 lower cowl trim panel retainers.
26. Install the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels. For additional information, refer to INTERIOR TRIM AND ORNAMENTATION article.
27. Install the RH and LH door scuff plate trim panels.
28. Install the 3 wire harness pin-type retainers.
29. Connect the park brake lever electrical connector.
30. Install the SRS module.
    • Install the 3 SRS module bolts.
    • Connect the electrical connectors.
31. Repower the SRS. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.

Manual transmission 

32. Install the gearshift lever. For additional information, refer to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION EXTERNAL CONTROLS article.

Automatic transmission 

33. Install the selector lever. For additional information, refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION EXTERNAL CONTROLS article.