[triplejjjay]

I'm right in the middle of removing the dash so I can replace my cd/cassette player with a 6-disc player, and this is not nearly as easy as I thought it would be. Anyway, I finally have the trim bezel that goes from the radio / hvac control area to the driver door loose, and it looks like it is going to be a very tight fit trying to squeeze it up between the back of the steering wheel and the front edge of the dash. I tried to remove the top shroud cover from the steering column, finding only one screw that holds it but still it will not come off. I'm trying to proceed without removing it now, though the extra room would be a help I think. The problem I have now, is how do you unlock these new-fangled electrical connectors? Between the headlight switch, the three for heating and air conditioning, and the 4-wheel drive switch, I see four different types. Can't figure them out!!! :VHOT: :VHOT: :VHOT:

Again, I'm right in the middle of this - please help.

Thanks

 

[rockadaous]

it should just pull straight off. You have to tilt your steering wheel all the way down and put the truck in 1st gear. Don't forget to set your ebrake.

 

[B1G BLEU]

Tilt steering column all the way down, then it's 3 screws for the stering column cover and 2 screws for the dash (above the speedo) then pry off dash covering
You could go to crutchfield.com, they'll mail directions for radio and speakers for $5, ded. on next order.

 

[rockadaous]

the steering column cover screws are torx

 

[triplejjjay]

Thanks guys. After writing my post yesterday, and calming down a bit, I went back outside, and one by one I figured out how to unlock each of the electrical connectors. In the process of removing the dash face bezel there are five different types of electrical connectors, each with their own little peculiarity to disconnect. After that, and with a little gentle twisting, I was able to squeeze the bezel out from behind the steering wheel - though I never did figure out how to remove the top plastic cowl cover from the steering column, which I think would have helped a little. In the end, the strangest connector turned out to be the antenna cable connector on the back of the radio. Figuring out how to release it without breaking the plastic collar took a while, and still I'm not sure what the procedure was that disconnected it.

I now have my new oem 6-disc cd player installed, and working great.



I guess this thread should have been posted in the 'Interior/Exterior' section, if someone of authority wants to move it - sorry.

 

[tlj91021]

Hey there - I just removed my dash today to look for a rattle/vibration I keep hearing, but I also took pics for posting to the forum so here they are - hope someone finds these useful.

 

[SilsHemi]

Hey there - I just removed my dash today to look for a rattle/vibration I keep hearing, but I also took pics for posting to the forum so here they are - hope someone finds these useful.

Nice pics. Did you find the rattle?

Sil

 

[tlj91021]

No not really - but after removing/replacing everything, the test drive down a bumpy road proved to be all nice and quiet again! I'll sign this one off as a re-seat on plastic (grin).

 

[triplejjjay]

That removal process looks a lot easier than my '03. There is one piece to remove, from the right side of the stereo / HVAC controls to the driver door!