97 F-150 Factory Stereo Swap
 

I have 97 F-150 with a stock AM-FM cassette stereo. I just received a factory stereo out of an 2003 Explorer. My local stereo shop made me a connector that will allow the stereo to plug into the factoy plugs. I just have one problem. The dash has a plastic piece that slants down over the top of the radio. I have been told that I may be able to just cut it out. Does anyone have any ideas about if this should be done or what may be above the plastic besides the dash? Thanks! :'(

the new unit should fit right into the old slot

did you get the 97 radio out

Brian

Yes I got old radio out with no problem. The problem is that the 97 radio has the large face like all factory radio's do. But after that it gets real narrow on the back side of face where as the new radio is the same thickness all the way back.

ohh i didnt know that,, sorry but i cant help any

Brian

I'd like to help but I can't (never been in there) but I have to tell you after reading your question I had to laugh because I thought
"I just received a factory stereo out of an 2003 Explorer" was a funny statement.
Is it Hot?
Good luck

Rodburnr,

also i would be carefull when cutting under the dash, you dont want to cut anything important up under there. That would suck. Well good luck.

Brian

yup, you can cut and remove the plastic. I did it to my 97 f-150 when I installed my new stereo. Just use a hacksaw blade and start removing it by cutting up both sides and then across the top. Kind of a pain it the butt and time consuming but it will come out :) just keep hacking away:-D

Thanks! I went ahead with the surgery today...lol:-X04 . It was not bad . I used a dremel and a cutter bit and it went pretty well. Thanks again! :-X22

The dashes must come with a different bracket when a factory 6 disc indash changer comes in one.
Jimmy