• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

HELP!!! I can't get my trim off

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jwilli
  • Start date Start date Mar 15, 2011
J

Jwilli

New Member
Mar 15, 2011
4
0
0
Lexington TN
Mar 15, 2011
#1
  • Mar 15, 2011
  • #1
There mught have already been a but i just my car, and it came with a aftermarket radio but i wanna put something better in it, but i cant figure it out. If someone could help that would be awesome, thx.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,297
1,641
214
Acworth, GA
Mar 15, 2011
#2
  • Mar 15, 2011
  • #2
What kind of radio is it? All those aftermarket radios install in different ways. Most of them come with special tools to install and remove.

Kurt
 

Zero Signal

Active Member
Feb 24, 2003
2,633
2
46
Tucson, AZ
Mar 15, 2011
#3
  • Mar 15, 2011
  • #3
The trim pulls right off if I remember correctly. It's just press-clipped in. If it's the head unit you're having issues with, that's another story.
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
2,564
3
0
Burlington, NJ
Mar 16, 2011
#4
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #4
Zero Signal said:
The trim pulls right off if I remember correctly. It's just press-clipped in. If it's the head unit you're having issues with, that's another story.
Click to expand...


You need to take off the shift knob and remove the boot and surround. Then you need to press the tabs and pull out the empty bottom din. There is a screw that holds the trim to the dash under the radio, That needs to come out first. Then there are just tabs/clips holding it in.
 
J

Jwilli

New Member
Mar 15, 2011
4
0
0
Lexington TN
Mar 16, 2011
#5
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #5
It's a panasonic, and i took that bottom screw out and tried pullin it out but it wouldn't unclip, and i don't wanna break anything. Is there any special tools i can get to take it off?
 

alleymad95GT

Member
Jul 14, 2009
204
0
16
Okemos, Michigan
Mar 16, 2011
#6
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #6
I bet what you have is a "collar" (which is just really a metal box with tabs on the side of it) that the head unit is clipped into...if you look, you should see some narrow little slots on the side of the head unit...those slots are designed to accept the tool that came with the head unit...you would slide the tool in and it pulls some little clips into the head unit, thereby releasing the unit from the collar.

If you don't have the removal tool, you need to find something that will fit into thos slots and release the spring clips...a small paring knife or fillet knife may work...among other things...

Anyhow, you will have to stick whatever you find to stand in for the removal tool into the slots and then pull the head unit out with the tools still in...if that makes sense...

Just a guess of course, not knowing precisely the head unit you have...
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Mar 16, 2011
#7
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #7
Alleymad95GT is correct on removing the radio. I use Pioneer head units, and they have small metal tabs that slide in on either side of the unit. Of course, I had to remove the plastic trim around the head unit itself. On Pioneers, the plastic trim easily pops off; not sure about a Panasonic.

To remove the head unit, you should not need to remove the plastic trim that Adam95GT is talking about. But if you can't remove the radio any other way, you may have to. He did miss a few screws, however:

There should be one screw at the bottom of the radio trim piece, now visible when you remove the plastic trim around the shifter. The second screw that Adam mentions is only visible way back inside the dash when you remove the bottom din/storage tray. After removing the storage tray, there's a long plastic bar that sits right under the radio. Follow it all the way to the back, and you'll see one screw holding the plastic bar to the dash frame.

There are two screws in front and above the storage tray, just out of sight. You can get to the screws without removing the storage tray, they're on the outside.

The rest of the radio/HVAC trim is held in by metal clips that come loose when you pull on it.
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
2,564
3
0
Burlington, NJ
Mar 16, 2011
#8
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #8
Yea i always just pull the trim out... easier on my knuckles.
 
J

Jwilli

New Member
Mar 15, 2011
4
0
0
Lexington TN
Mar 16, 2011
#9
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #9
My bottom din is a cd player, so i need to get the ford removal tool to get that out, right?
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Mar 16, 2011
#10
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #10
Jwilli said:
My bottom din is a cd player, so i need to get the ford removal tool to get that out, right?
Click to expand...

Yes. You won't need the CD player if you're going aftermarket, so you can get the storage tray from LateModelRestoration.com, or check out a local junkyard or eBay:

1994-00 Mustang Utility Compartment by Ford at LRS - Same Day Shipping!

As for the FORD DIN tool, just found a website that describes how to make your own from a coat hanger:

I-Hacked.com Taking Advantage Of Technology - Coat Hangar Ford DIN Radio Removal Tool
 
C

CrazySaint

New Member
Mar 16, 2011
3
0
0
Mar 16, 2011
#11
  • Mar 16, 2011
  • #11
I have a similar situation. I bought a 95 with an aftermarket Alpine stereo that's dead. I bought a new Alpine stereo to replace it, but I can't see how to remove the old one.
 
J

Jwilli

New Member
Mar 15, 2011
4
0
0
Lexington TN
Mar 19, 2011
#12
  • Mar 19, 2011
  • #12
Hey guys i got it figured out, its easy now lol all you need is the ford removal tool from autozone for like ten bucks if that, so i finally got my good pioneer out and got rid of that panasonic. So now all my speaker work. Just thought i'd let yall know and thanks for the suggetions, they really helped out.
 
C

CrazySaint

New Member
Mar 16, 2011
3
0
0
Mar 19, 2011
#13
  • Mar 19, 2011
  • #13
Well, figured out how to remove the old radio. Once you remove the faceplate, there are round metal things on each side that look like recessed screws. Grab those (might need a tool, I used screw drivers) and slide them up, the radio comes right out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Electrical Need help identifying what these electrical items are (93 LX 5.0)
  • dan50
  • Apr 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
175
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 12, 2026
dan50
Paint and Body Rotten moon roof trim
  • Teen'93stang5.0
  • Apr 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
121
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 15, 2026
Teen'93stang5.0
C
Electrical Under dash wiring
  • ChicagoMustang
  • Apr 17, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
109
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 17, 2026
AeroCoupe
S
Car shakes when taking off help???
  • STANKYstangs
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
280
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 27, 2026
LILCBRA
D
2021 GT p2015
  • danp1983
  • Jan 20, 2026
  • 2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
0
Views
147
2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk Jan 20, 2026
danp1983
D
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?