Hey everyone. Planning on celebrating MLK day by installing my new radio deck and speakers. The radio wiring/install I am good on.
Just looking for instructions/tips for removing the door panels and bezel to get at the radio and speakers. I am sure it isnt too complicated but I really dont want to snap or bend anything I dont need to.
1982 F150 reg Cab XLT

Also my XLT bezel is in perfect shape with factory amfm cassette player.
Want to put my bezel out there for someone looking to to stay factory before I cut it up for the DIN radio. Obviously I would need a matching bezel in good/great shape that is already cut for DIN in return.

 

There is a screw down in the pocket where you put your hand to close the door. Take this screw out, take a large flat scraper and pry the out edge loose, and then lift up and wiggle to get the door panel off. Expect to break some of the clips, it always happens.

 

take the window crank off too

 

So am I "prying" all along the entire edge of panel? And when I break these clips can i find them at the auto parts store?

 

Yes. The clips are along the sides and bottom of the door panel.Start at the bottom. once you can get your hand in there just pull on it. When you get the panel loose from the clips, you lift straight up on it to clear the lip on the top of the panel. I think napa carries the clips, not sure about autozone. If you're missing a couple it wont cause any problems

 

Thanks. Any tricks for the bezel?

 

IIRC 2 philips screws up top then just swing it down and it comes off

 

There is a tool made for popping those plastic clips out with minimal damage. It's named, appropriately enough, door panel removal tool. It has a bend in it, and the end has a notch for those clips to fit into. The idea is to get the notched part between the door and the head of the clips, and pry out.

As for the radio bezel removal, theres a couple screws up top, just below the dash pad, and I think a couple more down towards the bottom. It's really easy to get off.
When I put a DIN type radio in my truck, I went a salvage yard and bought a dash bezel from an 85/86. Those had DIN style radios factory.....

 

Will the 85/86 bezels have the same wood grain?

 

Dunno if the same style woodgrain was offered in 85/86. The one I got had a different style woodgrain.

 

Speaking of, I have this that I got out of a jy donor when I pulled the instrument cluster for it's factory tach.

It's cut for DIN, and the woodgrain has some issues, and I don't need it. Anyone needs it, just pay the shipping.

PM me and it's yours.

Cut bezel from 84 XLT

(I hope this wasn't against any kind of forum rule, I just didn't want to throw it away before I offered it out for free)