I need to remove the VSM on my 2002 F250. I've read through the forums and it seems like the consensus is to lie on your back and put your hand underneath the dash near the hump to get to this little gremlin. Well, I tried for about two hours and I just can't do it. I've got big hands and they barely fit through the gap.. Getting a ratchet up there with one hand and trying to turn it just isn't working. Hell I can't even get the connectors off even though I've squeezed until my fingers are numb. I'm afraid without being able to use both hands for the ratchet that I'm going to end up pulling a random wire out of a connector somewhere on accident and then I'll be stuck chasing down some electrical issue.

Can anyone confirm the nut size? I saw on one video I was watching that it's 10mm, but I feel like when I get the deep well socket over it it's not fitting correctly. Of course I really have no idea because I can't see what I'm doing.

I've seen a few people say that removing the radio doesn't give you access to the bolts.

So what does that leave me with? Any other options? I've found a couple of videos of people taking apart the dash, but it seems like they're either taking it clean off and pulling the whole thing out as a unit or just changing out the instrument cluster. Not sure how to get behind the circled area in the photo. If anyone has any good advice or video links I would appreciate it.

At this point I would even consider paying for someone to do it as I want to get it out of there ASAP but the truck doesn't currently have a PCM or an IDM so it's stuck in the driveway.

 

Don't know if this might help. I had to look up VSM and this was in the tech folder at top of forum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18744085

Don't know about removing center dash, but might be something in the tech folder about that too.

 

The Ford Service Manual instructions are attached, but they leave a lot to be desired. It does not state the nut size, sorry. This post claims the nut is 10mm, like you heard in the video you watched.

I searched for "Ford Super Duty VSM" and selected the first video that came up that said location or removal in it, I have included it below.

Where are you located roughly, there may be someone in your area that can offer a hand.

Hopefully this helps.

 

I’ve looked at the removal of the VSM in my ‘02 and it appears that with the radio removed and the cup holder completely removed, the removal of the VSM is possible. The nuts are 10mm, will need a long 1/4” extension and possible swivel joint. My hands are big but I can reach thru the radio access and touch the three connectors. My truck is a daily driver so I’m not sure I want to remove the VSM not knowing if the truck will run with it disconnected.
Good hunting.

 

Thanks, I'll give removing the radio and cup holder a try. I've seen how to remove factory radio but this one is aftermarket and I've seen a few dash kits for my model that say once they're installed they're not easily removable. So hopefully this is not the case with mine. Can't hurt to give it a shot.

I'm in Dallas. Hey I appreciate those links. I'm curious, in the service manual it says " Remove the lower center dash trim panel. For additional information, refer to Section 501-12."

Do you happen to have that section?

 

I do... So, here is what 501-12 has listed...



I have uploaded the top three sections under "Removal and Installation" for you to reference if you like. They are Instrument Panel, Cluster Finish and Center Finish.

As for the aftermarket radio, they "usually" come out with the dash/instrument cluster bezel as one piece. Then, the stereo can be disconnected from the bezel. Not difficult, just a PIA.

 

I appreciate you uploading that for me.

I decided just to plunge in and take the dash apart and while it was a PITA, in the end it made it much, much easier for me to get that VSM out. It's really in a terrible location.

I'm sure most of you mechanically minded guys could just figure it out yourself no problem, but I went ahead and snapped a few pics in case any other newbies like me end up reading this thread.

First, follow the first half of this video:
Note - I had a turbo gauge that was mounted in a location that made it hard to pull off the dash panel. I kept worry thinking I was going to snap it, but in the end It came out fine. I will clarify for anyone who has an aftermarket radio that doesn't have an easy removal mechanism, when you take the dash panel off, the whole radio slides out with it, so just be prepared because it puts a lot of weight on that plastic piece and you have to unplug the wires in the back of it, of course.

Next you'll have eight 7MM bolts you have to take out. Four for the cupholder and four for the lower panel (the one that covers exactly where you need to see). The bottom left red arrow that I drew on the photo below should be further over to the left, but you'll figure it out.



There are two that you access by looking down through the hole in the dash at the top of the cupholder tray.



Unplug the connectors on that panel



Now you have a lot more room!


View of the VSM. It is mounted to two bolts and you remove it by unplugging the three wire connectors and then use a 10 MM deep well socket on two nuts and then lifting it off the bolts. I am really glad I took the dash apart as I know other people have done it by just sticking their hand under the dash but I don't think I could have done it.





Finally out of the truck




View of the connectors. Mine were really hard to get off. I have a pretty strong grip but it was still a bear getting them to release. I had to put a crazy amount of pressure on the gray one.



Just a note, the drivers side bolt on my unit had some kind of plastic cap on it as shown below.



Now that sucker is out and I'm crossing my fingers I don't have to do that again.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

ITUW, so what are your plans for your VSM now that it’s out? Will the truck start, run, etc with it out? What year is your truck, 2002 or 2003?
Nice job removing the dash with pics, patience is essential.
Nice job.

 

Thanks! Patience is right. I broke a tiny plastic catch on the wiring connector that goes to my dome light switch because I couldn't get the connector off and I didn't take my time. It shouldn't affect the function though, and that was at the beginning of the process. After that I just slowed down and took my time.

The truck is a 2002. My plans for the VSM is to send it to a company called Repair Laboratory who say they can repair broken ones. By doing it this way I won't have to worry about programming, and it's a little cheaper than finding one on ebay or wherever. My symptoms were sporadic power windows, door ajar light staying on all the time (even though I made sure all the door latches were freed up) and a power issue with the radio. All classic symptoms of a VSM from what I can tell. I'll edit this post once I get the repaired unit back and state whether or not the repair worked.

I'm not planning on attempting to start or drive it without the VSM on it, I'm just going to wait until it gets back. I had my PCM and IDM tested and I'm waiting on them to get back to me, so I couldn't try to drive it right now even if I wanted to.

 

Thanks for your response sir.

 

No problem at all. I always try to help out when and where I can in an effort to pay it forward or pay the FTE community back for all of the help, advice and guidance it has provided to me along the way.

I am glad you got it sorted out!

 

have you seen/tried taking off the dash bezel so you're no just reaching through the radio hole?

never mind, I didn't see that you got it figured out