DIY - How to remove stock radio.

[pikkashoe]

Well I took out my radio today, and decided to take pictures to make it easy for anyone else to do this.


Tools required - phillips screw driver , flat head screwdriver and 8mm socket and wrench.

1. First thing you need to do is take out the panel where the power outlet is, below the radio. It attaches only with six clips, there are no screws holding it. Basically you have to just grab it and pull back hard. Mine was a pain to get off. I suggest putting the gear lever in L to give you more space. Once you pulled it off, disconnect the black connector. It has a small tab you have to push underneath to remove it.



This is what it looks like after you have removed it.



Here you can see the six clips that hold it in place.



Now you have to open the little compartment right below the radio, and remove the cover panel. Just use a small flat head. It has a notch where you can just pry it open. It pops right out.

[pikkashoe]

Here you will find the one screw that holds the radio in place. Its an 8 mm socket. You will have to access it from below, through the space where the power outlet panel was.

[pikkashoe]

Now in order to push out the radio from behind, you have to remove the glove box.
First you pull out the black cover panel below the dash, its attached by three clips. Just grab it and pull forward, it pops right out with no force.





Now remove the glove box. Its held on by two 8 mm bolts underneath and a black plastic catch on the right side. Just unscrew the bolts, pull off the plastic arm on the right and pull forward. You have to press the tabs in the rear of the glove in wards. These tabs stop the glove box from opening all the way. Just push in to clear the sides and the whole thing slides out.

[pikkashoe]

Now just reach in and push the radio forward with your hands. I was able to push it enough to pop it out with my hands only. The manual states to use a blunt object like the handle of a hammer, slide it in behind the radio and then using the leverage, pop it out. I was able to just push forward, then with your other hand, grab the panel the radio resides in, by pushing forward there should be a small gap where you can grab the panel, then just pull it out. It pops right out, as its only held in place by clips.



BE VERY CAREFUL TO NOT LET THE METAL FRAME OF THE RADIO TOUCH THE DASH AFTER YOU HAVE PULLED IT FORWARD, it will scratch the dash very easily. I suggest you put a towel underneath the radio before you pull it forward to avoid scratching the dash.

I scratched the dash underneath the radio. Little trick, use a black sharpie, fill in the scratch and then smear it around with your finger. It matched perfectly and you cant even tell it was scratched.

[pikkashoe]

There are four connectors you have to disconnect (I Have an LX with no USB). They are the antenna, the radio wire harness, the hazard switch, and the airbag switch. The antenna, hazard and airbag switches, you have to push a little tab, then they pop out. This picture shows the radio after I removed the connectors.



The radio connector has a white tab, that you need to use a screwdriver to pry open. Just use a flat head to pry it open.



PS - Here you can see where the metal frame of the radio scratched the dash. Its just to the left of the gray connector.

[pikkashoe]

Now you have to move the hazard and airbag switch to the new radio mounting frame. They are both held in place by phillips screws. Each has two. Just unscrew them and then transfer them to the new frame and reattach.





Also remember to transfer over the red plastic pieces that are located in the tabs from the original frame. Be careful as they are really fragile. With out these, the frame will not clip in.



This is the aftermarket double din frame that will go back in place of the factory one.




That's it, at this point just add your radio of choice, wire it up and your done. Slide the new frame back in, connect the hazard and airbag switch, antenna and radio harness. Let it clip back in. (note I dont know if the 8mm screw will fit back into an aftermarket radio, Maybe Cobb can comment on this). Put back the small cover, and the panel which holds the power outlet and you are done.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM.

Hope this helps anyone who is on the fence of doing this by themselves. Its very easy, and it took me about 20 minutes from start to end.

[pikkashoe]

Updated instructions with steps to not use a screwdriver to remove the radio.

This way now you dont damage the dash.

[weskm]

Originally Posted by pikkashoe

There are four connectors you have to disconnect (I Have an LX with no USB). They are the antenna, the radio wire harness, the hazard switch, and the airbag switch. The antenna, hazard and airbag switches, you have to push a little tab, then they pop out. This picture shows the radio after I removed the connectors.



The radio connector has a white tab, that you need to use a screwdriver to pry open. Just use a flat head to pry it open.



PS - Here you can see where the metal frame of the radio scratched the dash. Its just to the left of the gray connector.

Pictures seem to be gone even tried to go to link ,
farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4531028563_942a86064a_o.jpg
Wes

[N9QGS]

I was looking at putting in a Kenwood DNX-6160 Stereo. Is it my undertstanding there is some additional items that needs to be acquired? a trim plate, I heard Metra and Scoche makes these was one better then the other? Also I read about antenna connection issue, there is some adapter. Is there a list of what and where to get these items and item numbers?

Also my sister said there is a security feature built into the stock radio do you have to disable something on that to remove the radio?

the USB connector in the center console, can that be used with an aftermarket radio? I like the idea of putting the iphone in there with the holder..

[cheesie]

nice!!
id take the radio off only if i could replace it with the gps one