How to Remove the Factory Stereo on a 2004 Ford F-150
The predecessor to the F-150 arrived in the 1948 model year as the F-1. The 2004 F-150 was a far cry from its 1948 counterpart in nearly eve...
The predecessor to the F-150 arrived in the 1948 model year as the F-1. The 2004 F-150 was a far cry from its 1948 counterpart in nearly every respect, except that it was a Ford and it was a truck. The 1948 F-1 had a 95-horsepower six-cylinder and a 100-horsepower V-8, whereas the 2004 F-150 had two V-8s available, creating 231 to 200 horsepower. The 1948 F-1s audio system was the hum of the tires and the revving of the engine. The 2004 F-150 featured an AM-FM stereo standard and a wide array of audio options, including CD player, cassette player and a premium sound system. Removing the 2004 F-150s factory stereo is a straightforward task despite its complex appearance.
Instructions
Removal
- 1
Wrap the tip of a flat-head screwdriver with a thin layer of duct tape to prevent damage to the trucks trim while prying.
2Pry around the entire perimeter of the radio bezel the trim piece surrounding the radio and HVAC controls. Position the bezel aside there is no need to disconnect the wiring on the rear of the bezel.
3Remove the four radio-retaining screws using a ratchet and 9/32-inch socket. Slide the radio from the dashboard just far enough to access the wiring on the rear of the radio.
4Press and hold the unlocking button on each of the three wiring harnesses on the rear of the radio and pull each harness from the radio. Pull the antenna wire from the rear of the radio. Remove the radio from the F-150s dashboard.
Installation
- 5
Plug the three wiring harnesses into their respective receptacles on the rear of the radio the harnesses are all different sizes, so each only plugs into one receptacle to prevent confusion. Press the antenna cable into the rear of the radio.
6Slide the radio into its chassis in the dashboard, while guiding the wiring into the dash. Tighten the four radio-retaining screws with a ratchet and 9/32-inch socket.
7Line the clips on the rear of the radio bezel up with the slots on the dashboard, and press the bezel onto the dashboard until the clips snap into place.
