Instrument Panel: Installation

All vehicles 

1. NOTE: To avoid damage to the instrument panel, an assistant is required when positioning the instrument panel to the vehicle.
   NOTE: Make sure not to damage the RH front door trim panel or the instrument panel when installing the instrument panel into the vehicle.
   NOTE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are correctly routed when installing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

   Install the instrument panel into the vehicle through the RH front door opening.

2. Install, but do not tighten the 6 instrument panel side bolts.
3. Install, but do not tighten the 4 instrument panel center support bolts.
4. Install, but do not tighten the 3 instrument panel upper cowl bolts.
5. Tighten the 6 instrument panel side bolts.
   • Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
6. Tighten the 4 instrument panel center support bracket bolts.
   • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
7. Tighten the 3 instrument panel upper cowl bolts.
   • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
8. Connect the small RCM  electrical connector and attach the 2 wire harness pin-type retainers.
   Fig 1: Locating RCM Small Electrical Connector And Wire Harness Pin-Type Retainers

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Install the ground wires and the 2 bolts to the floor pan tunnel.
   • Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
     Fig 2: Locating Floor Pan Tunnel Ground Wires Mounting Bolts

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Connect the antenna cable and the satellite radio connector, if equipped.
    Fig 3: Locating Satellite Radio Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Connect the instrument panel RH bulkhead electrical connector.
    Fig 4: Locating Instrument Panel RH Bulkhead Electrical Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Install the rear footwell duct and the 2 pin-type retainers.
    Fig 5: Locating Rear Footwell Duct Pin-Type Retainers

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Install the LH and RH front carpet sections.
    • Install the 2 pin-type retainers.
14. Install the driver footrest pad.
    • Install the 2 pin-type retainers.
      Fig 6: Locating Driver Footrest Pad Pin-Type Retainers

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. Install the hood release handle.
    • Install and tighten the hood release handle bolt.
16. Connect the 2 SJB  electrical connectors and instrument panel lower LH bulkhead electrical connector.
    Fig 7: Locating SJB And Instrument Panel Lower LH Bulkhead Electrical Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Connect the instrument panel upper LH bulkhead electrical connector.
    Fig 8: Locating Instrument Panel Upper LH Bulkhead Electrical Connector

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
18. Install the steering column shaft to the steering column.
19. Install a new steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt.
    • Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
      Fig 9: Locating Steering Column-To-Shaft Mounting Bolt

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
20. Install the LH and RH instrument panel side finish panels.
    • Make sure to align the instrument panel side finish panels retaining clips to the holes in the instrument panel.
21. Position the weatherstrips.
22. Install the LH and RH scuff plate trim panels.
    • Make sure to align the scuff plate trim panel retaining clips to the retaining clip holes in the body.
23. Install the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels. For additional information, refer to INTERIOR TRIM AND ORNAMENTATION .

    Police vehicles without floor console 

24. Install the lower center instrument panel finish panel.
25. Install the LH and RH center instrument panel side panels.
    • Tighten to 3 Nm (27 lb-in).

    All vehicles 

26. Install the floor console. For additional information, refer to CONSOLE - FLOOR .
27. Install the front seats. For additional information, refer to SEATING .
28. Install the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to STEERING COLUMN .
29. Install the TXV  manifold.
    1. Install new O-ring seals.
    2. Install and tighten the TXV  manifold and nut.
       • Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
         Fig 10: Locating TXV Manifold Mounting Nut

         Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
30. Connect the heater hoses to the heater core.
    Fig 11: Locating Heater Hoses Clamps

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
31. Install the PCM bracket.
    • Install and tighten the 3 PCM bracket nuts.
      Fig 12: Locating PCM Bracket Mounting Nuts

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
32. Install the wire harness retainer onto the PCM bracket stud.
    Fig 13: Locating PCM Bracket Stud Wire Harness Retainer

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
33. Install the PCM. For additional information, refer to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS .

    Vehicles with 3.5L engines 

34. Install the strut tower cross brace.
    • NOTE: LH side shown in illustration below, RH side similar.

      Install the LH and RH strut upper mount nuts.

      • Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).
        Fig 14: Locating LH And RH Strut Upper Mount Nuts

        Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
35. Install the vacuum hose clips onto the strut tower cross brace.
    Fig 15: Locating Strut Tower Brace Vacuum Hose Clips

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    Vehicles with 2.0L engines, 

36. Install the upper engine cover.
    1. Make sure to align the 3 engine cover holes to the retaining points.
    2. Press down on the engine cover to secure.

    All vehicles 

37. Install the wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft assembly. For additional information, refer to WIPERS AND WASHERS .
38. Charge the refrigerant system. For additional information, refer to CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION AND DIAGNOSTICS .
39. Fill the cooling system. For additional information, refer to ENGINE COOLING .