then dont change any of it and enjoy the old car "vibe". its a lot less hassle to swap a radio back in 20 minutes then speakers and an amp.

but hey, you do you.

 

But changing out the speakers is okay? Kind of baffled by this logic.

Best of luck with BaT.

 

the number of people i had this conversation with over the span of 20 years in car audio will hurt your soul.

 

The job I'm lazy about — swapping the head unit — would be the main thing to do to get back to a factory look before selling. Because you can see it plainly without taking the door panel off the clips.

 

To swap hu takes 5 min.

Remove console (lift up, no tools)

Remove radio door (no tools, grab each side of open door, slowly pull one side then other, to pull entire door and housing out. Takes way more force than you think ot can take)

Remove two screws from each side of radio

Slide radio out, unplug

Put other radio in

 

he just doesn't want to do it. let it be.

 

Remove console with no tools? Like the entire center part? Isn't that held in with clips that can easily break, and aren't there electronics under there?

I dunno.. I always feel like removing radios and door panels.. it never gets put back as tightly as it was from the factory. Maybe it's just some OCD stuff that I need to get past.

 

Its held in with those metal expansion clips. So you just pull it out, and push it back in.

It'll only not fit back properly if you don't make sure the spring clips are all in place, and none have lost their spring (in that case, just bend them a tiny bit wider - don't overdo it, just match the good ones).

Also, don't do this when its cold, as plastic can become brittle.

Removing door panel involves dealing with same types of spring clips, its just that there are also a bunch of screws and other stuff too.

Oh, and yes, there are some switch connectors to undo if you want to fully remove console, which isn't necessary. But these come off easy. Oh, and shift knob, but that just unscrews.

 

I appreciate the write-up! So you're saying if Im careful and dont do it in the cold that I can do this all myself? I was almost certain that removing door cards was a pain.. and I don't know how to route wires through door jam etc.

But I appreciate the confidence youve given me : )

 

Youtube on replacing shift boot, but nicely covers console removal, detailed.

Start around 1.30 in for console removal. Then skip to around 8:20 for installing back in.


Note: If its ap1, you don't need to even remove console to get radio door off.

Now to remove radio cover requires a bit more force.

Video below is for ap1, but its same process for ap2, except you also need to remove console cover first on ap2.


Note, you're trying not to put force on radio door itself, as that can overstress the hinge pins. You're more reaching around the door to grab the frame. Pulling frame more than pulling door.

This video nicely demonstrates the sort of pulling and twisting involved to release the pins. Some amount of butt pucker first time you do this, but once you do it and know how, its as easy as he shows.

Also, ap2 has an airbag light, so iirc there was a wire to unplug from door once you pull it free.