Most Ford vehicles come with a standard radio, which is a good source of entertainment for drivers and passengers. But there may be reasons why you no longer want it on your Ford.
So, what should you do if you do not want a radio unit on your Ford vehicle and are hesitant in shelling out the big bucks for professionals to have it uninstalled? The answer is simpler than you might think!
You can learn how to remove a Ford radio without tools from our detailed but succinct article here. We will take you through all of the necessary steps! So, Dig in!
Table of Contents
4 Steps to Remove a Ford Radio without Tools
In short, the steps to quickly and affordably remove a Ford radio without tools are:
- Disconnect the negative battery cable
- Get access to the stereo mounting bracket
- Pull the stereo out from its mounting bracket
- Pull out all the wiring at the back of the unit
There is more to know about each step. For more elaborated details, read on!
Step-by-Step Instructions
The typical way to remove a car radio or stereo system is with a Ford din removal tool. However, there are plenty of scenarios where you may not have one readily available. So, in such cases, are your hands tied? Certainly not!
Below, we have curated the steps to remove a car stereo without din tools for your reference. Read carefully and follow along.
What You Need Before Starting
Gather the following:
- 100mm wrench or a screwdriver
- Two sharp knives
- A wire cloth hanger
- A pair of pliers or a wire cutter
Once you have all of the above materials, you are ready to proceed!
Step-by-step Instructions
Before you jump into any action, switch the engine of your car off. Then, find a spacious and preferably quiet place to work.
Step 1: Disconnect the negative battery cable
First, use the 10mm wrench or screwdriver that you have prepared to disconnect the negative battery cable from your car’s battery. Afterward, all you have to do is loosen up the clamp leading to the negative lead post.
Step 2: Get access to the stereo mounting bracket
Then, clear the path to your stereo mounting bracket by removing any dash panels or other accompanying interior components. This will make it easier for you to carry out the remaining steps.
Step 3: Pull the stereo from its mounting bracket
- Method A – Using two sharp knives
Now, take the screws on the sides of your stereo off with the help of a screwdriver. Next, lift the stereo unit from its mounting bracket using two sharp knives.
Sink them into the narrow opening on the sides to act as a handle for pulling the stereo unit out from its mounting bracket. This will give you access to the wiring at the back of the radio.
- Method B – Using a homemade radio removal tool
If the knives do not work, try to make your own removal tool. Here, you will replace the standard Ford radio removal tool with a wire cloth hanger.
Hold the wire cloth hanger with one hand. Then, cut it into two “U” shapes using a strong pair of pliers or a wire cutter with your other hand. Invest in a good pair because cheap, ordinary cutters will not be powerful enough to cut the wire and will also damage it.
Cut at the bottom part of the hanger. The cuts should be roughly two 7-inch or 8-inch sections of the hanger. If they do not automatically fall into the shape of a “U,” use your thumbs and fingers to manipulate the shape of the wire. Do not rush through this because you can accidentally injure yourself.
These will now be your Ford stereo removal tool.
Identify the holes on either side of the Ford’s stereo plate. Then, insert the ends of your handmade tool into the holes. You should push it inwards until you hear a click. Next, use the hanging segments as leverage to pull the stereo out from the mounting deck/dock. Make sure that you do this carefully but sharply to remove the unit successfully in a single outward motion.
Step 4: Pull out all the wirings at the back of the unit
Next, proceed to pull the wirings out by their respective wire binder. Be very careful in this step. It is dangerous if you pull the wires directly. Pull the antenna cable of your unit from the back as well.
So, there you have it! All the steps to remove your Ford’s car stereo without special tools. It is easier than it sounds, right?
Get Expert Help to Remove the Ford Radio
If you have gone through all the above steps and decide that manual removal is not the way to go for you, consider seeking service from a repair shop. They will have professionals who can do it for you.
These people are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Plus, they have the right required equipment to remove your radio or stereo unit perfectly. You can rest assured that they do this quickly as well.
However, they will charge you for labor costs by the hour. So, be ready to spend a bit of cash. The fees will vary depending on where you seek service. Box shops in bigger cities will usually charge higher, for instance. If you are on a budget, it is best to go for smaller, local stores. Otherwise, there may even be freelance mechanics that you can hire.
If you do not have a repair shop in mind, it is advised that you talk to fellow Ford owners for suggestions. Since they own a vehicle from the same family as yours, their recommendations will be more relevant. Otherwise, you can look through the following reliable service providers: Firestone Complete Auto Care, Mini Tune, and TVS Automobile Solutions.
Conclusion
With that, you have reached the end of this article on how to remove a Ford radio without tools. Hopefully, it has been easy to follow and helpful. If you have any other follow-up questions or thoughts regarding this topic, you are welcome to leave a comment. We are always delighted to hear from our readers!
After four years working as a radio mechanic, I know that everything about radio communication is not breezy, even though it greatly benefits us. That is why I set up a website sharing my skills and guides to help non-professional users use their radio headsets, set up their antennas or choose the right products, etc.