QuestionI cant seem to get at the radio unless I take the bottom half of the dash off.What do I need to do to get the radio out ?
AnswerThis vehicle is a tricky one to disassemble. You do have to remove the front dash plate (the part that surrounds the radio, climate controls, instrument cluster, and so on). Unfortunately, the front dash plate can't be removed until the top dash pad is removed.
Here's step-by-step instructions:
1. Open the driver's door, and pull off the panel at the end of the driver's side dash (the panel with the fuse box cover built into it). Underneath the panel there's a black 7mm (or 9/32") screw. Remove this screw.
2. Open the passenger door, and pull off the panel on the passenger's end of the dash. Remove the black 7mm screw underneath this panel.
3. Remove the Philips screw securing the defrost vent grill, at the center of the top dash pad. Remove the grill, then remove the two 7mm screws underneath the grill.
4. Open the glove box. Remove three 7mm screws under the front edge of the glove box opening.
5. Look inside the glove box. You'll see an opening at the top. Inside the opening are two brass-colored 7mm machine screws. You'll need to remove them both.
6. Lift straight up on the front edge of the top dash pad above the instrument cluster. Once the plastic retainer clips pop loose, you can carefully remove the entire dash top. Be very careful; you'll be exposing the passenger side air bag. Don't let the metal bracket attached to the dash pad puncture the air bag.
7. Look at the top edge of the front dash plate, above the instrument cluster and vents. You'll see three 7mm screws holding the dash plate. Remove the screws.
8. Carefully pull around the perimeter of the front dash plate to release the pressure clips. Disconnect the wire plug on the back of the dash plate, to the left of the steering column. You should be able to remove the dash plate completely.
9. Once the front dash plate is removed, you can take out the three screws that hold the factory radio.
Hope this helps!
Brian
