96 Ford Bronco Radio Removal Instructions

Prior to 1978, the Ford Bronco was a compact SUV targeted to compete with the Jeep CJ-series and the International Scout Harvester. In 1978, Ford saw greener pastures in the full-sized SUV market, and changed the Bronco into a full-sized SUV based on the F-series pickup. In 1997, Ford saw that buyers were looking for more luxury than utility, and eliminated the Bronco in favor of the more comfortable and stylish Expedition. The 1996 Bronco came standard with an AM-FM radio, and had an optional CD- or cassette player available. Replacing the Bronco's radio is straightforward with the correct tools.

Instructions

1

Look on the far left and far right of the radio unit, and find the two holes on either side of the radio -- these are the radio removal tool access holes.

2

Insert about one inch of the Ford radio removal tools -- two U-shaped metal components -- into the holes on either side. Press and hold the curved part of the tools outward to release the radios locking tabs -- the tabs are out of view, so you must do this by feel. While holding outward pressure on the tools, pull the tools rearward to slide the radio from the dashboard until the radio's locking tabs clear the dashboard. You might need to repeat this step several times before the radio is clear of the dashboard, as the tools sometimes lose their grip on the radio and slip out.

3

Grab the radio by hand and slide it out of the dashboard until you can access the wiring on the rear of the radio. Press the locking button on the wiring harness plugging into the rear of the radio, then pull the harness from the radio with a slight wiggling motion.

4

Pull the antenna wire - the thick black wire -- from the rear of the radio with a slight twisting motion.

5

Plug the wiring harness into the rear of the replacement radio; listen for it to click into place. Press the antenna wire into the antenna input on the rear of the replacement radio.

6

Slide the radio into the dashboard until you hear the locking tabs click into place.