Removing stock HU

[acfyu]

Sorry for a bit off topic. Is your HU a 6-disc changer? If yes, r u selling it? I'm interested. PM me if you do.

 

[hmoffatt]

Try doing one side then the other and sort of wiggle it out. I did it with two coat hangers. Pull out the center piece (where the tape deck would be). Stick the tools or coat hangers in correctly and pull from the tape deck hole.

So how would you get the centre piece out? I can't see a good way which wouldn't scratch it really badly. (I want access to the back of the HU to connect auxmod or similar, not to remove it.)

I have 4 of the tools but haven't had much luck yet. Mainly due to no way to grip it to actually pull it forward.

 

[chuyler1]

A screwdriver from a eye-glasses repair kit worked for me. It looks like it will be tough to get out but it really just pops right out. A paper clip might work too. If you don't suck up and remove it, you'll be bitching and moaning about getting the rest of the unit out.

 

[dinux]

just wondering if you are still having a problem removing your stock head unit? i had a problem too. it probably took me about two hours total, and i attempted to use the same instructions from crutchfield only i had four 4U tools. i ended up taking the front of the stereo off so that i can see the clips then putting the tools in. i found that sometimes the tools would go behind the actual clip and i could not see that until i took the front of the stereo off. finally got it out in the wal-mart parking lot when i got pissed since i had to go to circuit city anyways since crutchfield sent me the wrong dash kit. anyways, good luck

 

[RedKatanax9]

So how would you get the centre piece out? I can't see a good way which wouldn't scratch it really badly. (I want access to the back of the HU to connect auxmod or similar, not to remove it.)

I have 4 of the tools but haven't had much luck yet. Mainly due to no way to grip it to actually pull it forward.

It's actually very easy to get the HU out and all you need are two U shape tools. Just make sure you insert them all the way in the middle and lower holes (till you can't go any further), and use a spread and pull motion, as in grab on the U tools, push them away from the HU, but toward the left and right dash, and at the same time pull them out, you might have to wiggle at it a little as well.

 

[1sty]

Ford radio keys.
Best buy sells them for about $5, as do several auto parts stores.

 

[protege503]

TO take the center piece out just grab at the bottom of the vents and pull. very simple. but to take it out of the car you have to diconnect the heater wires.

 

[SlowPro98]

I just changed my headunit over the weekend, it took me about 20 minutes, and I didn't even need any tools other than what came with it from Crutchfield. They sent me 4 radio removal tools, I only needed 2 of them. I just put them in all hte holes till I hear the prongs pop, then I put them in the center-most holes and pulled, out she came. I had already prewired the harness (cause I just couldn't wait to install) and so I just tucked everything in, put in the new pocket, and installed. The only thing that didn't come with the kit is something to secure the back of hte radio, it wabbles around in the pocket, so everytime I hit a bump, it clicks and clacks. I'm proably going to make a shim or something to help keep it from bouncing.

While I had the radio out, I was amazed at how much space was back there. If i had more $$$$ I would get a car-puter.

 

[chuyler1]

A metal bracket should have come with your head unit to secure the back.

 

[SlowPro98]

Yeah, there were instructions, but no pieces. I think i got jipped. But I don't even care, I love new toys! (headbang)

 

[MaraUCSD]

Where are these "holes" that you insert the tool into. Do I need to remove the trim ring or something?

What is the absolute FIRST thing I need to do to remove the stock HU? I can't see any holes just looking at it. If anybody wants to post a picture of the holes that would be great.

Thanks.

 

[chuyler1]

THere are two trim pieces (one on each side) that pop off. Behind them are the holes.

 

[MaraUCSD]

This thing is being a real bastard. I guess I will just keep trying. I am using a couple of coat hangers, but the bastard doesn't want to budge. Sooner or later I am bound to get it right... (rant)

Any tips?

 

[scorch70]

This thing is being a real bastard. I guess I will just keep trying. I am using a couple of coat hangers, but the bastard doesn't want to budge. Sooner or later I am bound to get it right... (rant)

Any tips?

Just take a look at this pic

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46788

It will give you an idea of what you are working against. I couldnt remove mine with the tools, so I just laid down on the floorboards and pushed in on the retaining clip, and pulled out at the same time. Piece of cake at that point. After a couple hours struggling with those piece of s*** U tools.

good luck,

 

[MaraUCSD]

Just take a look at this pic

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46788

It will give you an idea of what you are working against. I couldnt remove mine with the tools, so I just laid down on the floorboards and pushed in on the retaining clip, and pulled out at the same time. Piece of cake at that point. After a couple hours struggling with those piece of s*** U tools.

good luck,

Hey, do you have the 6-disc changer? I also crawled on the floorboards and managed to press in both clips, but the bastard won't budge. I can get it out a little bit, so that the clips are no longer engaged, but then it won't move. I pulled REALLY hard. I had a shop install a LOC at some point, and I am thinking that they may have zip-tied something together back there that is stopping me from pulling it out.

How hard should you have to pull once the clips are disengaged?

 

[scorch70]

Hey, do you have the 6-disc changer? I also crawled on the floorboards and managed to press in both clips, but the bastard won't budge. I can get it out a little bit, so that the clips are no longer engaged, but then it won't move. I pulled REALLY hard. I had a shop install a LOC at some point, and I am thinking that they may have zip-tied something together back there that is stopping me from pulling it out.

How hard should you have to pull once the clips are disengaged?

Hi MaraUCSD, yeah, I have the 6 disc changer. You shouldnt have to pull too hard once you push the clips in. It was fairly easy at that point. You may end up having to pull the whole stereo surround off to get it out.

 

[MaraUCSD]

Yeah, I think something must be ziptied together back there. Today I am going to take out the center console and the glove box and hopefully I will be able to see where it is zip tied.

Thanks for the help.

 

[MaraUCSD]

I finally got the HU out today. I took out the glove box and manually pushed on that bracket, and reached up behind the dash to push on the left side. I really had to push EXTREMELY HARD on the brackets to get them to release. I don't think there was any way I was going to get it out with those tools.

If anybody else has trouble with the tools, I highly recommend removing the glove box and pushing on the clips manually.