I've seen the directions for removing the cover from the factory stereo, however, every set of pictures I have seen show an ashtray. My 04 XLT doesn't have an ashtray. In it's place is some sort of empty box looking thing.

Hopefully the pic works, so everyone can see what I'm talking about. How do you get this thing off?

 

okay, be very careful but this is how I did it. I took a dull butter knife and stuck it in the slit between it and the tray at the top. Pry it back until the clips pop, then grab the top with your hands and slowly work it down pulling where you feel the clips. The entire thing is held in by those pressure clips so just pull all the way around. It seems pretty tough like you can't break it. I've taken it off maybe 5 or 6 times. The stereo is held in with...I think M5 hexes. oh one thing, to remember is when you get the top part away there is a wire to the airbag light right at the top, make sure to disconnect it and not rip it out. Then there is 2 or 3 other wire harnesses, but they are longer.

hope that helps.

-ii

 

Right. Just pry it off with a butter knife or a flat head screw driver. You may want to put a piece of masking tape around the end of the tool you're using so you don't scratch any of the plastic. It comes off very easy. Just start at the bottom. Once you get the bottom popped off you can do the rest by hand. It's pretty durable.

Once you have the panel off you'll need a 7mm socket or nutdriver to remove the radio screws.

 

Thanks. So what everyone is saying is, "just don't bother with the box thing"?

This forum is awesome!!

 

Looks like they put an XL dash in your truck.
All the XLT's I've seen have the ash tray cup holder pop out tray.
Fine if you don't smoke, but I like to keep my crack pipe in there.

 

The "box thing" should just pull out with your hands, then you will have some access to the back of the radio trim

 

For those of us who like to shift our trucks into 4x4 by ourselves(MSOF) , instead of letting some electronics do it, you get cupholders on the floor by the shifter and not the fold down ones on the center stack.


-ii

 

Anybody have instructions for getting at the speakers for replacement?

 

Front speakers are cake. Get a butter kinfe, or a screwdriver with tape on it.....locate the notch on the speaker grill and pry underneath it. then slowly work your way around prying behind every clip until the whole thing is off. to replace just line it up and press it back in.


The rear ones depend on your cab type.

-ii

 

Mick68 is trying to be a funny guy with his "crack Pipe" remark, that's not a funny thing to joke about, especially when there are cops reading this stuff!!!!!

 

And what makes you think I'm not a cop?
Lighten up.

 

I didn't say you were not a cop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This is a real odd question....but if there are any XLT people taking off the dash......grab me the part number for the fold down cupholders if you have a 4x2 or a 4x4 ESOF. I'm having a hard time locating it.

-ii

 

OK, so i assume the same thing holds for a Lariat stereo. They look identical to your pictures I just have the wood grain around center area.