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nosticks · 09-02-2016, 11:33 AM

First off, I have a little more in my tool box besides a cell phone, duct tape, and WD40. With that introduction the "I'd call Thor Customer Service" responses are unnecessary. I think this was a dealer aftermarket installation.

I need to get to the blown 10amp blade fuse on the back side of my radio, a Pioneer FH-Z500UI. I pulled the engine cowl to gain access to the back of the radio, but there is no way to get behind it. I can not even tell what type of mounting system was used. I have tried inspection mirrors but they too have little room to maneuver. My only conclusion is that the radio must have been installed from the front side of the panel. So there must be some trick to releasing it.

The Pioneer on line installation manual just says to mount the radio and primarily deals with wiring and operation. I studied the manual and downloaded it. I have tried twice now on two different days with a thought day in between to see how to get it out without success. Any audio people out there with a clue on this issue. I'm ready to try a shaped charge or wrapping it with primer chord.

twinboat · 09-02-2016, 11:51 AM

If they used a Ford install kit, I believe there are 4 small holes, in the face, to push pins ( I use Allen wrenchs ), into, to reliese the unit. Then it pulls out the front.

nosticks · 09-02-2016, 01:48 PM

Not Ford unit. No holes.

olustee bus · 09-02-2016, 02:14 PM

I have found a youtube video on how to replace a radio on a e450. What year do you have. What color duct tape do you have.

nosticks · 09-02-2016, 03:07 PM

2015

nosticks · 09-02-2016, 05:12 PM

Here is the picture of the problem.

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twinboat · 09-02-2016, 06:27 PM

Try sliding a hacksaw blade down the side and feel for a spring latch, while pulling the radio out.

Podivin · 09-02-2016, 06:34 PM

I agree with the hacksaw blade 'trick'. The last couple of after market radios I installed had cages that were installed in the dash, then the radio slips into the cage from the front and clicks into place. If it were a single DIN radio I'd say you'd find a spring clip in the middle of the radio on both sides. That looks to be a double DIN, so I don't know if you'll find one on each side or two on each side.

If that filler plate (not really sure what to call it - the kind of picture frame that goes around the radio) will pop out, you might get a better idea of what you're up against.

nosticks · 09-03-2016, 05:14 AM

I've tried to remove the filler plate to the point of any more pressure applied would break it. I can slide a thin blade around each side but can not see how it is attached. The install manual has an illustration showing the filler having some sort of snaps at the top and bottom sides. If that were so I would not have been able to slide the blade completely around it. I will try the hacksaw blade, but the filler must come off first to gain access to the sides.

kybob · 09-03-2016, 11:00 PM

You are close the small trim piece will have to be removed first.There are more than likely two tabs on top and two on the bottom that have to be released to get it out without braking it. Try to insert a small thin blade like a feeler gage between the radio face and the trim piece about one inch in from each side top and bottom to release the trim tabs.
When you get that off there will be one or two small holes on side of radio that you have to insert a pin in to release the spring tab holding the radio in the mounting bracket. Pull radio out enough to release it from the bracket then do the other side.
If you are lucky the previous owner might have left a strange U shaped pin in the glove box which would be the tool to release the spring tab in a perfect world.

tcg · 09-04-2016, 06:32 AM

Head down to your local auto parts store and buy a set of DIN removal tools. They are flat shaped tools that slide in between the radio and DIN cage.

Do a Google search for DIN cage to see what they look like. The cage is placed in the hole after removing a factory radio to enable aftermarket radios to be installed by just sliding them in.

However, looking at the manual for your radio it appears it's possible that the radio was screwed into place or at least a factory bracket was screwed on the side and then installed. If that's the case than some more disassembly of the dash may be necessary.

I really think you just need the removal tools to release the tabs and it should just slide out.

I've used various tools in the past and it will be a lot easier if you just pick up the removal tool for a couple bucks.

Good luck and I'd be interested in your final solution.

nosticks · 09-04-2016, 09:20 AM

That's the plan. Will post results.

Very interesting though, on this and another forum, I've had lots of responses suggesting removal of this and that, but you really have to look at the picture I provided. The You Tube videos out there deal with all kinds of installs, Ford included, but none with the panel configuration of the 2015 E350 Super Duty Chassis. Even with the trim piece removed, there would be no room for bolting/screwing of anything dealing with the radio.

nosticks · 09-06-2016, 04:33 PM

And the answer is, I gave up and took it to a car audio shop. 20 minutes later the radio was removed, fuse replaced, and reinstalled. Cost me $25 even and I watched the process. I could now do it myself but would take a little longer than the 20 minutes the tech took, but not much.

The deal is on a modern (2015) E350/450 Super Duty Chassis the entire dash fascia from the left of the steering wheel to the glove box must be removed. It's all one piece. I was surprised to find it simply snaps off the dash panel all the plug in switches disconnected and then the radio is held in by 4 bolts. The panel surrounding the radio is not removable, it is the actual mount. Thanks to all who guessed and gave me ideas on how to remove it.

mc8404 · 09-07-2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosticks

And the answer is, I gave up and took it to a car audio shop. 20 minutes later the radio was removed, fuse replaced, and reinstalled. Cost me $25 even and I watched the process. I could now do it myself but would take a little longer than the 20 minutes the tech took, but not much.

The deal is on a modern (2015) E350/450 Super Duty Chassis the entire dash fascia from the left of the steering wheel to the glove box must be removed. It's all one piece. I was surprised to find it simply snaps off the dash panel all the plug in switches disconnected and then the radio is held in by 4 bolts. The panel surrounding the radio is not removable, it is the actual mount. Thanks to all who guessed and gave me ideas on how to remove it.

Glad I saw this! Just read all the responses and was going to say you have to remove the entire dash. I've done that on mine - 2016 E-450 and has the same set up (was checking some connections for audio/video output) and I got the head unit removed with the 4 screws in the corners. What I couldn't do however was FULLY remove the head unit. I couldn't get the dash panel out and over the gear selector on the steering column. I tried twisting, shifting to D, bending...just wasn't happening.

How the heck was the shop able to do that?

Thanks.