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'03 - '06 tj bezel HU removal?

6K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  erickpl 
#1 ·
Stats:

2006 Wrangler X, I6, 4L soft top


History:

Have attempted to search the JU site for information as well as contact stereo installation shop, dealer ship and checked local library for information.

What is being attempted:

Would like to place two sw's in the factory position for front fog / driving lights and rear fog / driving lights. Need information on the removal of bezel which surrounds stereo, heating, air bag and empty aux light sw blank. This tj does not have an ash tray. It seems to be similar to '03 - '05 model year. There are no screws, clips or other fasteners which can be seen. According to the Haynes manual you have to remove the entire dash. Is this so?


What is being sought:

Help with removal of bezel safely and with least amount of upset to dash and surrounding area?

Thank you

C.
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Most, if not all, TJ's have 2 screws on the top of the center stack area, under the defrost panel that runs across the bottom of the windshield. This is held on with 5 clips. You can use a flathead screwdriver to remove this vent cover.

Once off, you should see 2 screws at the top of this center stack cover. A phillips screwdriver should take care of them easily.

Undo them. 97's and later have 1 more screw where the ashtray would normally be (these have the 3 switch bezel pods). Your newer one has the 4 switch pod (at least that is how it sounds). Try removing this entire cover once you've removed those top screws. You should be able to pull it right out, but it may be tight. The center cover is held on via those spring type clips, and part of the clip may either come off with the cover or stay in the dash.

I'm not 100% on this, but I wonder if that area next to the switches (where the ashtray WOULD have been) is removable to expose the other screw near the bottom center of the stack cover, but I think with the newer TJ's only those 2 screws at the top is all you have to undo.

Once you get that cover off, the actual switch bezel should be held on with 4 phillips screws. Getting the blank switch covers out is easy. Just use a flathead and they'll slide out backwards (to the back of the bezel pod).

My information is based on a 97, and may not help, but I don't think they changed it THAT much to make you remove the entire dash to get to the center items.

Stranger things have happened.
 
#3 ·
It's held on at the top by two screws under the vent like erickpl said, but you don't have to remove them to get to what you want to get to. The rest of the bezel is held on by clips. Just grab the bottom corners and gently pull. It will hinge up and give you access to the two screws that hold on the piece that you want to install the switches in.

At least that is how it works in my '04.
 
#4 ·
Stats:

2006 Wrangler X, I6, 4L soft top

Follow up:

After much deliberation and patiently looking over the center bezel / cowl it became apparent that it was indeed separate from the dash as a whole and that the directions found here on this site from a much earlier post http://www.wranglerforum.com/showthread.php?t=3230&highlight=head+unit
would be applicable in part, but not whole. The following is a write up for the exact way in which the wok proceeded.

1. It is necessary to have a 1-1 1/2" putty knife with tape to cover the blade at least 2/3 of the shank. A #2 Phillips screw driver. Two small flat blade jeweler screw drivers.

2. Starting at the drivers side and working toward the passenger side place the putty knife under the far end of the defrost vent and gently sway the putty knife up / down till the vent lifts.

3. Proceed to approximately the mid point and gently lift ( be very careful the material is thin) up / down till the vent frees from its hold.

4. Continue the process along the top until you are to the passenger side and gently lift the vent with your right hand (steady its length with the left) toward the window then pull it up and out toward the rear.

(Lay the vent in a safe place where it wont be damaged)

5. Remove the two center #1 Phillips screws (make sure to hold on to them tight as they could easily fall in side the vent) and lay them to the side.

6. The center bezel / cowl is really tricky in the 2006 tj model (at least for me it was). It will be necessary to place your fingers up near the vent and gently tug till the vent starts to shift forward (stop when it moves about an inch) and do not go to far as it will be necessary to first remove the lower section of the bezel.

7. There are four clips which hold the unit tight to the dash (and I do me tight). One each is located nearest the section by the HU and one each is located at the base in the lowest corners. The corner ones must be released before the upper bout is completely shifted forward.

8. Gently push with the putty knife at the lowest points at each side of the bezel / cowl (it may be necessary to adjust your position by hanging out of the jeep and then placing the putty knife in the corners and lifting) until the unit pops out off its retainer slots.

9. Place center housing to the side in a safe place.

10. Four #2 Phillips headed screws hold the four slot and two 12 V power outlets in place. Remove the four #2 Phillips screws and gently lay the fixture down.

11. It will be necessary to use the jeweler screw driver in this step to release the 12 V power outlet from the wiring harness.
There is a blue housing on the lighter module and a grey housing on the 12 V power outlet (black) module. Place the small screw driver into the clip opening and press in and up at the same time. Careful not to slip and hurt yourself or to damage the surrounding plastic dash.

12. It is necessary in this step to hold the unit assembly in your hand and using two jeweler screw drivers remove the plastic blanks from the main body of the assembly. Place one small jeweler screwdriver on each side of the snap clip and press the screw drivers in till the clip releases (be careful not to press to hard).


It is really easy to break and or gouge / damage the surrounding plastic and clips that hold the dash together so caution must be used at all times. Also, your back will take a bit of a beating trying to run the wire up under the dash once you do install the sw's and replace the center bezel / cowl. It was necessary to tape all wires together in a harness and run them through a wire loom so as to get them to fit smoothly through the dash opening.


C.
 
#5 ·
What, no bubble wrap? :)

See, I'd just pop off the vent cover with a car key, toss it in the back seat, undo the screws, then just pull. :) hehe

But mine IS a 97.

Glad you found the instructions and were able to get it. We were close though. :)
 
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