96 XLT radio bezel + radio question

[xj14y]

Earlier, i was curious about how to get it out. I have no done anything, no repairs, no poking about, just one day I was going down a bumpy road and the whole dern bezel, radio, ac controls and all, nearly fell out. It was then that I noticed there were some cracks, and the vents were kind of just rolling around in there, not properly secured

My immediate thought was a couple of well placed drywall screws should do it, but I am going to have to keep the vehicle for a while yet. I am all about doing what you can where you are with what you have, but visible drywall screws or tape of any kind would just anger me.

Any idea how I could reattach a cracked bezel, or better yet find a replacement that won't cost a fortune? Or does anyone have other suggestions?

I may live with it for a while and replace the radio while I'm poking around in there. Anything to look out for when replacing the factory radio? I know there's an amp in the back, and someone makes kits to plug new radios into that amp to keep your same speakers and wiring. anyone have success with these kits?

 

[blueka]

do you have pictures of the damage so we can give you some correct advice?


Si

 

[Joe Dirt]

Radio install: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274434

Bezels are a dime a dozen at the junkyard if you have one around you... eBay they're cheap too.

 

[xj14y]

I'm kind of afraid to pull it all the way off because it does go back into position with some urging. It feels like it stays connected at the bottom, but it does not "click" or "snap" into anything at the top. I can sort of wiggle it back into position where it stays, but there is still a gap at the top. It still wants to pop out on bumpy roads or under hard acceleration.

I don't have a camera, so I kind of have to explain it to you.

The main cracks on the bezel face itself are right on the strip at the bottom of the factory installed radio. Those are the only visible cracks at least.

Are there clips in the dashboard that could break? And are those replaceable?

 

[barneyrubble318]

Feel below the radio, but above the climate controls. There should be 2 screws. Unscrew them and the whole bezel should pop out about 3 inches. Then you have to unclip the wires from the cigarette lighter by hand. Then pull it out a little further, then depending on your Ex, you have the wires on the right for 4x4, fog light, rear wiper, etc. Those all just pop off too. Remember which wire goes to what.

I don't think you will break the bezel pulling it out, it is pretty sturdy. The bottom is held in by the screws you removed. The top is held in by 2 clips that fit in holes in the dash.

Take your time, use a little force and it should come out. The A/C vents may not have been clipped back into the bezel correctly by the last person who took it apart.

The clips are part of the bezel, if you pull it straight out you shouldn't break them.

 

[Joe Dirt]

...and the wiring harnesses only fit in their specific locations...

You can see the shadows from the 2 bolt locations above the fan and heat/ac knobs in this pic. They are 7mm.

 

[xj14y]

Long time since I posted this or lurked about in here, but I'm finally getting around to getting the ol gal fixed up. Been driving it for the last 2 years since my last post, and only put tires and oil into it. Think I'll keep it.

Ordered a replacement bezel (25 bucks shipped on ebay). And I discovered that the screws mentioned upthread are still in the dash, the plastic around them broke off. Easy enough to replace.

I was going to ignore it until the factory radio stopped working. I need tunes. Spent about $100 and got a JVC unit from Crutchfield that included all of the wiring doodads and adapters I'll need to install, and I can now use my mp3 player without that blasted fm transmitter deal that never really did work right.

Thanks for the info. Looks like a fairly straightforward installation with the new bezel.