How to Install a Stereo in a 2003 Toyota Echo

In 2000, in an attempt to drag in younger buyers, Toyota released the modestly priced Echo. The Echo had one glaring flaw: It looked ridiculous with an overall height that was just 6 inches short of its overall width. In 2003, Toyota redesigned the Echo, but even the new look must not have held much appeal, as Toyota scrapped the Echo just two years later. Installing a stereo in the 2003 Echo is a relatively simple process that involves removing just two trim pieces and six screws.

Instructions

Removal

1

Grip each of the three climate-control knobs firmly and pull them rearward to remove them from the climate-control panel.

2

Find the two screws behind where the two outermost climate-control knobs were. Remove these screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

3

Pry around the perimeter of the climate-control bezel the trim surrounding the climate control panel to disengage its six retaining clips, then pull the climate-control panel from the dashboard, exposing the upper radio retaining screws.

4

Open the ashtray. Press downward on the metal tab on the inside of the ashtray and pull it rearward to remove it from the radio bezel, the trim surrounding the radio. Pry around the perimeter of the radio bezel with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips, then remove the bezel.

5

Remove the two lower radio retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver, then pull the radio outward just enough to access the wiring on the rear of the radio. Press and hold the unlocking button on each of the wiring harnesses, then unplug each harness. Pull the antenna cable from the rear of the radio. Remove the radio from the Echo.

Installation

6

Plug the wiring harnesses into their respective receptacles on the rear of the radio. The harnesses are different sizes to prevent incorrect connection.

7

Slide the radio into its chassis in the dashboard and tighten its four retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Line up the clips on the rear of the radio bezel with the slots in the dashboard and press the bezel onto the dashboard until the clips snap into place.

8

Align the clips on the rear of the climate-control bezel with the slots in the dashboard, then press it toward the dashboard firmly to engage the clips. Tighten the two retaining screws for the climate-control panel.

9

Line up the holes on the rear of each knob with the shafts they connect to, then press the knobs onto the shafts.