Dash Removal For Radio

jel · 01-19-2008, 08:51 PM

I've seen a lot of helpful posts on stereo swaps. I wanted to contribute my step-by-step photo essay for those who like to see each step in detail (to make it easier and show that it's not that hard). This job was pretty easy for the most part. The most difficult part was probably getting the horseshoe piece from under the climate control facade. Don't have the harness for the new Dual yet, so no pics of the finished product. I do have gauge facades and backlit LEDs on order and I'll be posting a similar essay once I receive that product.

jel · 01-19-2008, 08:53 PM

Continuing

jel · 01-19-2008, 08:55 PM

And more of the dash removal

jel · 01-19-2008, 08:56 PM

Last of dash removal

xmicro_Redline · 01-20-2008, 02:26 AM

Nice Job!! Thanks for the contribution, finally one thread with thorough instruction!

Barry · 01-20-2008, 06:36 AM

That was great. I allways wondered about that

marlboromike · 01-20-2008, 07:30 AM

That was great...I intend to eventually put new gauges in myself..but will I have to take apart the entire dash?

jnag698 · 01-20-2008, 11:18 AM

EXCELLENT job !!!!

Now I will know what the shop-jocks do when I PAY them to do the same thing.

BTW............... How did you get the kid's foot-print removed? or did you just disconnect the shoe?

jel · 01-20-2008, 01:32 PM

From the previous threads I've seen, replacing the gauge facade will require the top portion of the dash to be removed which spans the entire width of the car. So I'll be eventually doing a photo essay of that process by similar photo steps. I decided that since I'll basically have the whole dash apart before I put it back together for the stereo and gauges, I'm going to attempt to redo my top-half dash panels and doors in black suede leather and do some of the area around the stereo and shifter in carbon before putting everything back together.

My kid likes to close the glove box with her foot since she can't reach it with her hands from the car seat after doing the "magic" garage door remote.

marklynn70 · 01-20-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jel

From the previous threads I've seen, replacing the gauge facade will require the top portion of the dash to be removed which spans the entire width of the car. So I'll be eventually doing a photo essay of that process by similar photo steps. I decided that since I'll basically have the whole dash apart before I put it back together for the stereo and gauges, I'm going to attempt to redo my top-half dash panels and doors in black suede leather and do some of the area around the stereo and shifter in carbon before putting everything back together.

My kid likes to close the glove box with her foot since she can't reach it with her hands from the car seat after doing the "magic" garage door remote.

You will not need to remove the entire with of the dash, just remove enough screws to lift it above your steering wheel (on a rag). From here you will be able to reach in and remove the 4 screws holding the gauges in place. Quick disconnect wire bundle on the back side of gauge cluster. I already replaced Little Missy's, as well as gone back in because the needles were not properly lined up. You basically have everything off that you needed out across the bottom to the right of the radio. From there you just need to go up. There is a screw behind the center vents that is the last one you need to remove to pick it up enough to work under. Hope this helps, PM or email me if you have any questions.

jel · 01-27-2008, 02:07 AM

I've found that getting the placement of the new stereo in the dash is a pain. Move up, move out, move down, move in, repeat. This is probably the hardest part of getting it to fit.

Sky Hi · 01-28-2008, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the thread. I'll be installing seat heater switches in the dash and wondered what was involved to dismantle it. This eliminates the guesswork!

vstar · 01-29-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlboromike

That was great...I intend to eventually put new gauges in myself..but will I have to take apart the entire dash?

Mike are you doing the DDM single din gauge mount ? You will need to do this....

jel · 01-31-2008, 09:39 PM

I was having an impossible time aligning the stereo so it wouldn't catch on the dash surround while opening for inserting a disc. I finally walked away from it (from my last post) and started fresh tonight. After looking at everything, it became apparent that connecting the stereo to the piece of dash AND THEN putting the whole assembly in was the answer. The stereo doesn't have to be screwed into the old holes, and then aligned for the dash piece. The after market stereo frame connects to the stereo (and the surrounding part of the dash), and you can just insert the whole thing together. This would have been nice to know. Now you do if you didn't (like me).

jstkilntim · 03-01-2008, 10:27 AM

Just wondering what dash kit you used. Our Metra kit had alignment holes/tabs. Even w/ cutting two of them off, it ligned up perfectly.

jel · 03-01-2008, 11:15 AM

I think it was the Metra 95-3302, but I think I was going about it the wrong way at first. It worked out in the end.

redman7 · 03-08-2008, 08:10 PM

I really appreciate this! I am going to be putting an Alpine 9884 in my wife's '07 Sky Monday and this is a huge help. Now, if anyone knows about the 8" speaker behind the seat (I want to put two Kicker CVR 8"s) and how the door panels come off I'll be set. I've been doing installs for 20 years and this little hot rod has be baffled.

jel · 03-09-2008, 01:13 AM

Look at #11 forward in this thread for your door question.

Ultimate SKY Stereo Thread

AnonNomis · 06-28-2008, 03:11 PM

Thank Jel. These instructions are great, but your definition of easy differs from my own. I thought I would share what I learned while trying to take out the dash. First pic is what those round plastic circles things look like from the back. You just dig your fingers around the back of the head and pull as hard as you can. I found turning it a little while pulling and rocking it back and forth works. You may want to wear gloves. My fingertips still hurt. The second and third pic show a piece that fell out of my dash when I removed the upper part of the lower driver side dash. I think a screw is supposed to connect to this but I have no idea where. If anyone knows then please post here. Fourth pic is the string that connects to the glove compartment. I didn't notice at first there is a little tooth holding it in place. If you poke the tooth from the inside then this part comes out easy. I don't have a picture of the trunk release but I found if you push in the teeth at the top and bottom then you can push the whole thing forward out of the dash then you can more easy remove the plug portion.

**WVSooner** · 08-30-2008, 05:28 PM

Jel -

This and the upper dash removal thread are fantastic! Thanks.

Just one thing. What do you do when you have a screw left over after you put it all back together again, take it all apart again, put it all back together again, and still have the screw leftover?

I'm convinced at this point it was dropped somewhere in the trim during manufacture because I am absolutely sure I didn't miss anything.

01-19-2008, 08:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	Dash Removal For Radio I've seen a lot of helpful posts on stereo swaps. I wanted to contribute my step-by-step photo essay for those who like to see each step in detail (to make it easier and show that it's not that hard). This job was pretty easy for the most part. The most difficult part was probably getting the horseshoe piece from under the climate control facade. Don't have the harness for the new Dual yet, so no pics of the finished product. I do have gauge facades and backlit LEDs on order and I'll be posting a similar essay once I receive that product. Attached Thumbnails

01-19-2008, 08:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	Continuing Attached Thumbnails

01-19-2008, 08:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	And more of the dash removal Attached Thumbnails

01-19-2008, 08:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	Last of dash removal Attached Thumbnails

01-20-2008, 06:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Barry First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Spring Hill Fl Posts: 537 My Photos: (49)	That was great. I allways wondered about that __________________ I See Red Lines 08 Sky Red Line Silver - 12-16-07 07 Ion 07 Sky Red Line Silver - 9-22-06 07 Base Sky Silver - 3-06 07 Aura 07 Saturn Outlook XR 06 Saturn Vue 4-04 Ion Red Lines 2-03 EFX Ion Coupes 2-02 EFX SC2 Coupes 2-98 SL2's

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01-20-2008, 02:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
xmicro_Redline Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,114 My Photos: (1)	Nice Job!! Thanks for the contribution, finally one thread with thorough instruction!

01-20-2008, 07:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
marlboromike First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Marlboro, NJ Posts: 6,613 My Photos: (6)	That was great...I intend to eventually put new gauges in myself..but will I have to take apart the entire dash?

01-20-2008, 11:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
jnag698 First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mason, Ohio Posts: 218 My Photos: (0)	Fantastic !!!!!! EXCELLENT job !!!! Now I will know what the shop-jocks do when I PAY them to do the same thing. BTW............... How did you get the kid's foot-print removed? or did you just disconnect the shoe? __________________ jnag698 '07 Green/tan RL 5-speed Leather Chrome wheels Monsoon 6 disc CD Spoiler

01-20-2008, 01:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	From the previous threads I've seen, replacing the gauge facade will require the top portion of the dash to be removed which spans the entire width of the car. So I'll be eventually doing a photo essay of that process by similar photo steps. I decided that since I'll basically have the whole dash apart before I put it back together for the stereo and gauges, I'm going to attempt to redo my top-half dash panels and doors in black suede leather and do some of the area around the stereo and shifter in carbon before putting everything back together. My kid likes to close the glove box with her foot since she can't reach it with her hands from the car seat after doing the "magic" garage door remote.

01-27-2008, 02:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	Almost there I've found that getting the placement of the new stereo in the dash is a pain. Move up, move out, move down, move in, repeat. This is probably the hardest part of getting it to fit. Attached Thumbnails

01-28-2008, 11:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sky Hi First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central Maine Posts: 290 My Photos: (4)	Thanks for the thread. I'll be installing seat heater switches in the dash and wondered what was involved to dismantle it. This eliminates the guesswork! __________________ SKY HI VIN#401, 2.4L Chrome Wheels Black Leather Spoiler Monsoon 6 CD DDM Supercharged Stage II, intercooled KS Windscreen Clear Bra Lil Chromies Redline Dual Exhaust Heated Seats Stubby Antenna Extra trunk space! Plate: SKY 401

01-31-2008, 09:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	Tip for stereo alignment I was having an impossible time aligning the stereo so it wouldn't catch on the dash surround while opening for inserting a disc. I finally walked away from it (from my last post) and started fresh tonight. After looking at everything, it became apparent that connecting the stereo to the piece of dash AND THEN putting the whole assembly in was the answer. The stereo doesn't have to be screwed into the old holes, and then aligned for the dash piece. The after market stereo frame connects to the stereo (and the surrounding part of the dash), and you can just insert the whole thing together. This would have been nice to know. Now you do if you didn't (like me). Attached Thumbnails Last edited by jel : 02-01-2008 at 06:58 AM.

03-01-2008, 10:27 AM	#15 (permalink)
jstkilntim Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 88 My Photos: (0)	Just wondering what dash kit you used. Our Metra kit had alignment holes/tabs. Even w/ cutting two of them off, it ligned up perfectly. __________________ 2004 Velocity Red RX-8 JDM MS Body Kit 18X8 Rays Gram Light 57 Pro's RB REVi Intake, Exhaust, Springs, Sway Bars & End Links SS Braided Brake Lines & Painted Calipers JL Audio, AudioControl, Eclipse & Fosgate Tint, Red Line Fluids & Zaino

03-01-2008, 11:15 AM	#16 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	I think it was the Metra 95-3302, but I think I was going about it the wrong way at first. It worked out in the end.

03-08-2008, 08:10 PM	#17 (permalink)
redman7 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 2 My Photos: (0)	Great!! I really appreciate this! I am going to be putting an Alpine 9884 in my wife's '07 Sky Monday and this is a huge help. Now, if anyone knows about the 8" speaker behind the seat (I want to put two Kicker CVR 8"s) and how the door panels come off I'll be set. I've been doing installs for 20 years and this little hot rod has be baffled.

03-09-2008, 01:13 AM	#18 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 355 My Photos: (0)	door panels Look at #11 forward in this thread for your door question. Ultimate SKY Stereo Thread

06-28-2008, 03:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
AnonNomis Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 173 My Photos: (0)	Thank Jel. These instructions are great, but your definition of easy differs from my own. I thought I would share what I learned while trying to take out the dash. First pic is what those round plastic circles things look like from the back. You just dig your fingers around the back of the head and pull as hard as you can. I found turning it a little while pulling and rocking it back and forth works. You may want to wear gloves. My fingertips still hurt. The second and third pic show a piece that fell out of my dash when I removed the upper part of the lower driver side dash. I think a screw is supposed to connect to this but I have no idea where. If anyone knows then please post here. Fourth pic is the string that connects to the glove compartment. I didn't notice at first there is a little tooth holding it in place. If you poke the tooth from the inside then this part comes out easy. I don't have a picture of the trunk release but I found if you push in the teeth at the top and bottom then you can push the whole thing forward out of the dash then you can more easy remove the plug portion. Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2008, 05:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
WVSooner Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Virginia - but Arkansas and Oklahoma are "home" Posts: 252 My Photos: (0)	Jel - This and the upper dash removal thread are fantastic! Thanks. Just one thing. What do you do when you have a screw left over after you put it all back together again, take it all apart again, put it all back together again, and still have the screw leftover? I'm convinced at this point it was dropped somewhere in the trim during manufacture because I am absolutely sure I didn't miss anything. __________________ 2007 Saturn Sky Redline, chili pepper red / black Tag: OUSOONER Bought: 06/23/07 Named: Sooner Magic on 9/23/07 "Living the Sky life"

08-31-2008, 12:42 AM	#21 (permalink)
Skip First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: deep in the land of cotton where good times there are not forgotten Posts: 4,614 My Photos: (0)