Dash removal

[TheBrownBandit]

Hey everyone! I was wondering if someone could help me out by explaining how to remove the metalish looking part of the dash (or the woodgrain part of the dash as I seen in other models) of my Celebrity. The light bulb from my HVAC controls is blown and right now with the cold weather, it's a bitch trying to tinker with the heater at night while driving and not knowing where I'm setting the switch without turning on the courtesy lights. It would be helpful to know as well due to the fact I need to replace the cigarette lighter. Will I have to remove the aftermarket radio? Or does the piece come out by itself not affecting it? Thanks ahead of time!

[a1veedubber]

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z269/a1veedubber/Junkyard%20finds/87-90Celebwoodtrim-full.jpg

You didnt say what year your car is. Is it similar to this? (87-90)
If it is, it is pretty easy to remove, and the radio stays in the dash.
1) Remove the three phillips screws along the top, underneath the lip that goes along the bottom of the gauge cluster.
2) Remove the headlight knob (done by inserting a small screwdriver in the slot on the shaft and pulling towards you)
3) Remove the little nut thingie that goes around the headlight switch shaft
4) Remove the cigarette lighter. This is arguably the hardest part. I remove it by taking off the panel beneath the steering column, reaching up and twisting off the back of the lighter. The front part of it just pulls out then. It may not look it, but the lighter consists of two parts that screw together, they also hold the dash & trim panel between them so by taking the two halves of the lighter apart you are done!
5) I cant remember this part, but at this point the right side of the panel may need to be pulled out a bit from behind the large pad on the right side of the dash.
BTW, If you have rear defrost, the rear defrost switch comes off with the trim panel, every thing else stays in the dash. The defrost switch has been removed from the trim panel in the pic I posted....

[TheBrownBandit]

That would be it! Except my dash has the brushed aluminum looking piece and I have a 1989. When I purchase the Celebrity, it came with an aftermarket radio so naturally it came with the install kit. Is the install kit connected in anyway to the dash piece? Or is it supported by another part on the inside of the dash? When I installed the new radio I couldn't tell but by the looks of the posted pic I'm assuming not. Will removing this piece give me better access to the area behind the radio? For some odd reason I can get the radio to go all the way in so right now it's sticking out a bit. At first I thought it was because of the wiring but I tried to tuck the wiring in neatly and thought it would allow me to push it all the way in but apparently not. So I'm hoping that if the install kit isn't connected to the dash piece it will allow me to better install the radio. Thanks for the help!

[a1veedubber]

The radio (install kit in your case) isnt connected to the dash trim piece at all! If you remove the trim piece you will find that the install kit is attached to the interior of the dash with 1-4 7mm screws. It might help to take the whole install kit out so that you can reach back there to get your wiring in place.
In my opinion, without modification, an aftermarket deck must stick too far out to look good. In my 86 coupe, when I installed my aftermarket Sony ES I actually cut out the rear bracket behind the radio in my dash so I could slide it all the way back in for a flush fit. Thats just my own personal opinion though!!

[86euro]

I agree, the metal support bracket at the back of the radio cavity is in the way. It needs to be bent or removed for most aftermarket radios to fit well.

[Tuddi]

I agree, the metal support bracket at the back of the radio cavity is in the way. It needs to be bent or removed for most aftermarket radios to fit well.

I removed it for making proper space for my radio/cd/mp3 player. I really don't understand why the support was made the way it was made.

Without it the dash is (and will continue to be) stable enough, even for mountain road driving.

[Prospeeder]

I have a CD player with 9 band equalizer in my 6000, it even says Pontiac on it, its out of a 99 grand prix. Works nice and fills the space, i think thats the best alternative for anyone going for a stock look or to be cheap

[ochy38]

my pioneer fits perfect with that thing behind it and it fits without the kit

[86euro]

my pioneer fits perfect with that thing behind it and it fits without the kit

What model is it?

[briconner]

wow, to what model where you able to install a new car stereo? I was also planning the same thing with my vintage project car.

[mechanizeddeath]

With the Ciera, at least, there is plenty of room behind the dash panel for a stereo. I bought a multi-GM kit from Metra, and was able to use the flat mounting option instead of the ugly "stick out of dash" piece. It isn't truly flush as it is with imports that use the metal bracket mount with screws, but I can handle the faceplate sticking out just a bit rather than the whole unit.

[briconner]

wow, to what model where you able to install a new car stereo (http://www.jcwhitney.com/stereo-accessories-and-cables/c608j1s17.jcwx)? I was also planning the same thing with my vintage project car.

Thanks mechanize. I am planning to order a new stereo... though I am still just waiting for my extra money to kick in this month. :)

[lackneramanda]

I removed it for making proper space for my radio/cd/mp3 player. I really don't understand why the support was made the way it was made.

Without it the dash pad (http://www.carparts.com/Dash-Pads/600022778.car) is (and will continue to be) stable enough, even for mountain road driving.

looking to remove my passenger side dash pad where the grab handles attaches to. Need to take that part of the dash oput and have it recovered. Any tricks to its removal ? It a 69 AMX