Tips on removing dash / replacing dash power point?
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Tips on removing dash / replacing dash power point?
Hiya folks.
My front power point has gone and kicked the bucket. I have zero idea about how to go about removing the dash in order to get to this little bugger.
Any tips/tricks on how to remove the dash and replace this thing?
The power point is both electrically broken AND physically broken - the housing is detached from the rear of the dash (I may just pop rivet it back if I can rig it up), but I need to figure out HOW to get back there.
Thanks in advance!
-E
My front power point has gone and kicked the bucket. I have zero idea about how to go about removing the dash in order to get to this little bugger.
Any tips/tricks on how to remove the dash and replace this thing?
The power point is both electrically broken AND physically broken - the housing is detached from the rear of the dash (I may just pop rivet it back if I can rig it up), but I need to figure out HOW to get back there.
Thanks in advance!
-E
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Camas WA
try this thread - good one for removing the dash
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...t=dash+removal
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...t=dash+removal
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 7
From: OR and UT
I just pulled my dash face the other day to replace some dash bulbs. You have to start by removing the radio. If it is the factory radio with the 4 holes, just put a medium size nail in each one and push them to the outside while you slide the radio out. Then it's the two screws above the radio and give the dash face a good pull to pop it out.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
The thread refered to by bwindel, above, is a great thread for what you are trying to do. The pictures are great! (Even if I do say so myself.) And note that the radio removal tool is only 5 bucks. It is well worth the investment as another thread shows you how the radio locks might be buggered up if you don't use the proper tool. Maybe not. But if they are buggered up and the radio does not come out you may be buying a new dash. But then, it is a risk some are willing to take. Sucessfully, I might ad.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
From: Metro Detroit, MI.
I removed the dash two days ago putting in my F650 lower dash. Its simple as stated above.
1. remove radio.
2. remove two (6mm i think) screws located in the radio opening. at the top.
3. Pop out the light switch and disconnet the two plugs.
4. I started on the outside piece near the door and started to pull out the dash loosening the clips.
5. Since I have the four gauge pillar I had to put the shifter in 1st to clear the panel once is was all loose.
Before I go on, which power point are you replacing. I have two one one the upper dash and the second on the lower dash below the cupholders.
6. if its the lower power point, its only four more screws to remove.
1. remove radio.
2. remove two (6mm i think) screws located in the radio opening. at the top.
3. Pop out the light switch and disconnet the two plugs.
4. I started on the outside piece near the door and started to pull out the dash loosening the clips.
5. Since I have the four gauge pillar I had to put the shifter in 1st to clear the panel once is was all loose.
Before I go on, which power point are you replacing. I have two one one the upper dash and the second on the lower dash below the cupholders.
6. if its the lower power point, its only four more screws to remove.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
What if I can't get my radio out? It releases on the left side, but not the right. I tried lots of combinations to try and pry it out with a scraper bent at 45 degrees at the tip, and still no luck.
Anyone had this happen before? Any tricks up your sleeve? I could not find anyway to get up under the dash and reach up in that area either.
Anyone had this happen before? Any tricks up your sleeve? I could not find anyway to get up under the dash and reach up in that area either.
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Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
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crutch field sells a removal tool, you could bend 2 coat hangers shaped like a v, then insert them into the 4 holes...
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 391
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What if I can't get my radio out? It releases on the left side, but not the right. I tried lots of combinations to try and pry it out with a scraper bent at 45 degrees at the tip, and still no luck.
Anyone had this happen before? Any tricks up your sleeve? I could not find anyway to get up under the dash and reach up in that area either.
Anyone had this happen before? Any tricks up your sleeve? I could not find anyway to get up under the dash and reach up in that area either.
I am handy with tools and built the ones suggested numerous times throughout the internet. I finally bought the $5 tool. Radio came out.
Then I found out that the home made tools do not have the detents like the $5 ones, they go in too far, they bend the latches making removal more difficult. If not impossible without breaking things.
The $5 tool is cheap insurance against having to replace broken parts and saves a lot of frustration.
Note, when you get the radio out there are two 7mm bolts just inside, at the top of the opening. Then the dash comes off with a pull.
There are some decent photos in this, or another thread here.
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
I have an '03 Limited and they are there.
But then, from your avatar, it doesn't look like you had to remove any bolts to remove the doors, hood, front grill, and several other parts.
Was that one sat on by an elephant? I saw one that had been rolled once and the top was flat.
But then, from your avatar, it doesn't look like you had to remove any bolts to remove the doors, hood, front grill, and several other parts.
Was that one sat on by an elephant? I saw one that had been rolled once and the top was flat.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
Will search for the tool. Think I did see one a while back at a Super Walmart. However, I am thinking that the tabs are damaged. I had removed it before and it was very easy, so not sure what happened this time.
Definately have to remove it to get to the screws.
Definately have to remove it to get to the screws.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
I just went out to my truck, slipped the tools into place, pressed the tools away from each other, and pulled.
As I did I was reminded that the tools need to "click" into place. Do not jamb them in as far as they will go. Or, not far enough. They do "click" into the retaining clips.
If the clips are damaged you may have to work to tools. Be patient. It may take several minutes to get them properly seated.
Then, with pressure on the tools, remove the radio.
Repair the retaining springs once removed.
My springs got damaged because I tried to use the home made tools. Once I got the proper tools it took me about 30 minutes to get them properly seated and to work.
Once the radio was out, I used some needle nose pliers to adjust the spring parts as they should be. Now, with the proper tools, it works every time. And, yes, as the years accumulate, I have removed it a couple of times for one reason or another.
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
I have an '03 Limited and they are there.
But then, from your avatar, it doesn't look like you had to remove any bolts to remove the doors, hood, front grill, and several other parts.
Was that one sat on by an elephant? I saw one that had been rolled once and the top was flat.
But then, from your avatar, it doesn't look like you had to remove any bolts to remove the doors, hood, front grill, and several other parts.
Was that one sat on by an elephant? I saw one that had been rolled once and the top was flat.
I've only had the dash panel out of both '02s, and neither had them. In fact, like Joe, the one in the wreck wouldn't come out, and I'm not sure why. I basically took everything out and had to kinda twist out the panel with the radio still in. I've used the same method to remove the radio in the other '02 and the '05, which worked fine in both. This one was just stuck for some reason. I was able to pull that dash panel off without hurting it though, and then removed the radio once I could get to the inside and squeeze the springs more. I'm sure I'll find out soon though whether or not the '05 has the screws.