I made a post in an earlier thread that I successfully was able to remove the radio unit in my 2008 Ford Focus and some people wanted to see pictures on how I did this. If you've seen the 2008 Focus's dash unit you know it looks pretty intimidating to remove. After playing around a bit I was able to remove it with no special "DIN tools." The only thing you'll need is a flathead screwdriver, a 7mm ratchet wrench, and a little bit of carefulness and patience.
1) You want to start off by pulling the e-brake all the way up as far as you can. I also found it helps to put the key in the ignition (you don't need to start it) and put your automatic transmission into D or L. This will just make it easier when you pull off the plastic that surround it.
2). Open the middle storage compartment and pry the plastic up with a flathead screwdriver (see picture below).
3) Once you remove the center plastic that surrounds the e-brake and shift stick you need to remove the 2 screws that secure the bottom of the radio unit into place (please see the below picture).
4) Using a flathead screwdriver pry the plastic plate on the passenger side (where the airbag is located). This won't come all the way off, as there's a screw keeping it from doing so. You should be able to to get it off enough to be able to remove the radio.
5) Remove the two screws holding the plastic that surrounds the steering wheel.
6) Lower the steering wheel all the way and remove this plastic.
7) Remove the vents above the top of the radio dash unit.
8) Remove the two screws holding the radio in place.
9) Starting from the bottom begin to pull the dash unit out.
I hope this helps for anyone who wants to try this. I apologize for not knowing technical words for things or for my lack of explanations. I hope the pictures speak pretty much for themselves. Good luck!
Whoa - nice write-up and gutsy move: improvisationally tearin' up the console and dash of your brand-new car! I'd be far too squeamish for that. (That stereo must not sound all that good, huh? EDIT - oh, I just found your other thread re: Sirius. Got it.)
Now the question is...can i go to a junkyard and find an 08 with with the same color interior and swap out my steering wheel with one that has the control buttons and a radio that has Sync and a 6-disc?????!
Oh and the mirror since thats where the mic is for the phone. Im also guessing that all the wiring is pre ran as part of the harness for the whole 08 foci series and i can just "Plug & Play".
I believe Metra makes a kit already for the 08+ Focus, it was at CES this past year so I'm guessing its out on the market already. Only thing is somebody was saying the cost is gonna be around $80, so he should be good if he buys that.
So I just purchased a 2008 SES today. Love SYNC. Question is, my 00 se had a sony head w/ipod cable to glovebox. Can I do that with the stock unit? Other models seem to have connection thru console. Please advise.
So I just purchased a 2008 SES today. Love SYNC. Question is, my 00 se had a sony head w/ipod cable to glovebox. Can I do that with the stock unit? Other models seem to have connection thru console. Please advise.
Also, on A/T vehicles you do not need to put your key in the ignition to move the shifter, look to the front right corner of the shifter bezel, you will see a small plastic "block" that pops out, under that is the override button for the shifter interlock, you can stick your key, screwdriver, whatever in there and then move the shifter like normal.
Hey guys,
I am new to the site, and let me start by saying that this tread is exactly what i was looking for, thanks. I just have a couple of question. Can i hook up a amp to the factory stereo? Is there a amp turn on lead wire on the back and audio output connection? Thanks to this tread, i now know how to take the stereo out, but i don't want to take everything apart until i know for sure that i can hook up a amp. If someone can post a pic on the back of the stereo, it would be great. Thanks in Advance.
And yes you can wire up an amp. You need to go buy an LOC(Line output converter). You can buy one of these at your local best but or circuit city. Should cost around $30-$40. You will tap into your rear speaker wires behind the stereo. This will give you your RCA's. As for the Turn on, you can just run a wire to a fuse that is in use when the car is on, such as gauges(may work not sure), but something like that. The rest of the amp wiring is normal.
Thanks for the help. I figured that a LOC would be the best way to go but i wasn't sure what to do with the amp turn on. I guess that i will have to try a few different fuse and see if i can get it to work. Thanks again.
when i was wiring my amp, i used a LOC from the local radio shop. it was an axxis and so far it has not had any problems. it was easy to install. you can reach the wires from your trunk. what i did was i took out the side panels in the trunk, then opened the back seat. i found the wiring harness that had the speakers in it. If you look closely enough you can see the rear speakers, if you have an 08 coupe. and i followed them to a easy to access location. i spliced the wires from the LOC into these and did the basic amp hook up and it sounds great
Thanks a lot for the pictures. They helped a lot for wiring in my sub and amp. I found that the easiest way to wire a remote turn on, ( JCR ), is to go to your local auto parts store (i went to autozone) and get an Add-A-Circuit, and just run that from an unused fuse under the dash. (mini add-a-circuit's are about $6-$12 depending on where you go).
hey so i just got a new 2008 ford focus ses 4 door and im trying to install a sub and amp but i need help can anybody tell me what i need to do. thanks
there is an aftermarket panel available. i priced one at a shop near me for about $54. you can either use a double din with it or single with a tray under or above. i dont have the part umber on me at this time however. sorry.
very helpful! i've been wondering how to do that because i want to paint blue flames on my console. the threads about adding an amp were also VERY helpful. thanks, all.
also, will pulling off the cover where the airbag is cause any problems with the airbag or cause it to deploy? I see in previous years, "how to's" will tell you to disconnect the battery to prevent the airbag from going off. is this something I should worry about??
I know this is a really old thread, but I'm trying to fix the aux port that finally gave up on my 2009 Focus SE and am worried about the airbag part. I've always been good with working on sound systems, but just curious if I should worry about the airbag going off or breaking because I popped this panel off.
Hey guys so is it possible to use the stock head unit and just connect an amp and subs to it? Or will i need to replace the headunit if I want to use my sub and amp? Thanks in advance guys!
yeah it's possible...I have that done on my '11 Focus SE. I just used a LOC(Line-Out Converter) to get the RCA's and then put a switch on a 12V+ source to get the remote for the amp...pretty simple once you removed the dash and it works great! I suggest getting something to boost the voltage output level for the RCA's...i used an equalizer that gives 7 volt rca output. good luck
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