I have a (new to me) 95 Legacy L wagon that I'd like to change the radio in. Having busted up a couple of Toyota radio surrounds before I figured out how they came apart, can anyone tell me how to remove the plastic piece around the radio to get to the retainer screws? Any help is always appreciated!

If it's anything like mine the screws are hidden behind the cupholder, undo those, and 2 that are a pain in the rump roast to get out under the ashtray, then the trim pops off and exposes all the mouting for the radios.

Originally posted by EOppegaard

If it's anything like mine the screws are hidden behind the cupholder, undo those, and 2 that are a pain in the rump roast to get out under the ashtray, then the trim pops off and exposes all the mouting for the radios.

 

Two ways to remove the screws in above the ashtray:

 

a very short (called a stubby) #2 philips screwdriver

 

or the trick I use:

 

Use a 1/4 drive rachet with a 1/4" socket and use a #2 philips screw bit which happens to be 1/4" and will fit the socket. This method allows you to get a lot of torque on these hard to reach screws.

 

See my radio/speaker installation guide which applies to the 2000-2004 Legacy/Outback, most of whats in it does apply to earlier models as well.

 

 

My guide

After removal of cup holder and ashtray screws, the trim is loose exposing the 6 radio frame screws, also philips. The front 4 are easy, the last 2 are one on each side of the radio about 3 or 4 inches in. It's a very narrow opening to get to them and the chances of dropping them into the black hole below is high.

 

If you have a magnetic tip or some other trick for keeping hold, use it.

Thanks for all the advice, I'd definitely wrecked another dash without the info. Special thanks to alias20035 for the guide, it's excellent! I recommend it.

I don't know the reason you want to replace the radio, but if it is to gain a CD player, I recently got an original equipment Panasonic (optional in '95-'99) from a yard and put it in the '98 Outback. The wiring harness and bracketing are already there. It took 1/2 an hour and would have been quicker than that if I didn't take the time to wash all the coffee spills out of radio and temp controls from the poorly placed drink holder.

 

 

The CD player fits right in where the little junk collector is below the radio. One cable connection for power another to connect to existing radio and it was done. Sweet little install, I wish I had done it along time ago. Had to wait for donors in the junk yard I guess.

 

I might add the wife (who's daily driver this is) was VERY appreciative (emphasis on very).