Radio removal fail

[rowjelio]

Okay so I finally had time to take a look how to remove the radio, and it has some weird Chrysler removal bits. Lame. The removal procedure is as follows:
4 or 5 black screws along the bottom, you will have to be in your back for these.

I recommend removing the 4 screws to remove the column cover plate as well

You need to move the shifter into 1st gear for clearance, all the way to the bottom.

You need to tilt the steering wheel all the way down as well

Then just man-handle that thing out. The left side has a wiper switch, the right side has 2 blue bulbs, a small tiny bulb for defrost that goes into a square socket, the defrost connector, a rubber boot for the cig lighter, and a spade connecter to the left of the boot connector. All of these things pop put, no threads.

I had to squish the dashboard because it's soft and foamy but warped and oversized and swollen. So I had to squeeze the top to clear the plastic bezel, also squeeze the right hand side for the same reasons. I even had to squish in the power antenna switch inwards to clear the plastic.

The hardest part for me was squeezing the plastic because it was hitting the shifter thing (see photo) , just have to rotate and squeeze and pray that the brittle plastic doesn't break. I'm gonna have to do it again once I get the Chrysler bit. And then I'm gonna fix the radio and have to remove the bezel again. Hopefully it will get easier with time. Good luck my dudes

 

[70NEWYORKER]

I ran into those anti-theft screws on my St. Regis back in the early 80's.
Needle nose vise grips and some obscenities for lubricant and they spun right out. Found some proper screws at the local Ace.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

This is the socket you need to remove those screws.
fits 68 69 70 Charger and 67 68 69 Barracuda Flip Top Gas Cap Security Screw Kit | eBay

Alan

 

[Boydsdodge]

Loosen the steering column screws to lower the column for more room, or drop it to the seat.

 

[commando1]

That looks like it's in a Formal. Yes?
I've pulled a lot of those radios and have never seen security screws.

 

[rowjelio]

That looks like it's in a Formal. Yes?
I've pulled a lot of those radios and have never seen security screws.

Allegedly the PO was an old man who only took it to the dealer. So far the story is holding up hah. I read in another thread to take a Dremel with a slice bit and slice a slot into the head and use a screwdriver

 

[Big_John]

I had the security screws in one of my cars. I can't tell you which one though.

I just drilled a hole in the screw heads and walked it out with an E-Z out. Easy as cake.

 

[rowjelio]

I had the security screws in one of my cars. I can't tell you which one though.

I just drilled a hole in the screw heads and walked it out with an E-Z out. Easy as cake.

I don't own an easy out kit , but like, the Chrysler bit is $25. I have a Dremel with a cutting bit for free.. Hell even an easy out kit is $15 at harbor freight. I think I'm gonna try one of those methods and then put regular screws back in on install

 

[Big_John]

I don't own an easy out kit , but like, the Chrysler bit is $25. I have a Dremel with a cutting bit for free.. Hell even an easy out kit is $15 at harbor freight. I think I'm gonna try one of those methods and then put regular screws back in on install

A set of E-Z Outs with reverse drills are something that should be in your toolbox. The reverse drills are great because they don't drive the screws in deeper and may actually walk the bolts out.

But if you can get in there with the Dremel, go for it.

https://www.amazon.com/UYECOVE-Piec...8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[Mr C]

Those security bolts appeared in 78, I think...maybe late 77. They are not in there too tight. I've gotten them out with needle nose. Once you get them started, just use your fingers. Replace with 3/8 bolt of similar dimension when they are out.

 

[rowjelio]

Okay I got the radio out. The first screw I was able to slice with the Dremel easy. The second one the Dremel did not fit. Tried all sorts of things. After like 20 minutes I decided to just drill a hole into it. My plan was to drill a series of holes to make a line for a screwdriver. After one hole, I wondered if my 2 prong security bit would fit. It did! That was what I thought was the hard part. I was very wrong.

After 15 minutes of trying to slide it out, I realized there is a bolt in the back of the radio. I laid on my back from the driver's side, my hand all disfigured and I couldn't reach crap.

Came in from the passengers side, I could feel one last bolt from behind the radio it but there was barely room for anything. By sliding it forward a little I was able to fit a 7/16 socket (quarter inch drive of course) and barely started turning it. From there I switched to the thumb wheel finger grip driver, again fumbling and my arm all deformed and unnatural.

I finally got it off, and still had to fight the connectors to get it out. It did NOT want to give me the radio lol.

Now I get to take it apart and see what I can do I can stop driving in complete silence

 

[SPF Required]

They definitely don’t design cars for 60 years of service in mind. Great job on your ingenuity!

 

[rowjelio]

PS I also broke this thing, looks to be for dash lights, of course the wire is super short. I crimped on some more wire and used spade connectors. Will probably wrap in electric tape. I only saw the radio plug into it, the other socket was empty.