Removal of Head Unit in ’04 Expedition

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=47636
Printed Date: July 03, 2025 at 11:27 AM

Topic: Removal of Head Unit in ’04 Expedition

Posted By: cjchavez
Subject: Removal of Head Unit in ’04 Expedition
Date Posted: January 13, 2005 at 4:25 PM

Does anyone know how to remove the factory head unit in my 2004 Ford Expedition? The HU has factory in-dash DVD navigation, remote CD changer and rear seat DVD entertainment. There are no visible holes where you would normally use those removal tools. Hopefully, I won't have to take the whole dash apart.

Also, does anyone have any experience interfacing an iPod controller or AUX input on this unit?

Any help will be appreciated.

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CJ

Replies:

Posted By: hoaxs
Date Posted: January 13, 2005 at 8:52 PM

Well removing the head unit may be difficult. Since the you have navi, cd changer, and dvd entertainment. You lose your extra options. But look at WWW.installdr.Com or https://www.mobileworksaudio.com/ they may have info on removing it. Or you can buy one of hanyes books that tell you about your car. And about the ipod, i know alpine sells a head unit that connects to your ipod and you control it trough you headunit. Are you going to use the same head unit or keep the factory one.

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Hurry get me a steel hanger, elec tape, zip ties, a monkey and a snorgle. trust me i've ran wires with less

Posted By: NowYaKnow
Date Posted: January 13, 2005 at 9:05 PM

"Does anyone know how to remove the factory head unit in my 2004 Ford Expedition"

Remove the (2) 7mm screws that go up near the cluster. Tilt the wheel all the way down. Those are the only 2 screws holding the trim piece on the rest is all push clips. Start removing the trim piece and undo any wiring harnesses. You'll wrestle with it for a while it can be a pain to get off. You may have to move the shifter to the lowest position as well to get the trim off. If doing so, just turn the ignition on (don't start the vehicle!), and put the ebrake on.

Once you get the trim off the radio is held in by (2) 7mm screws. Remove them and pull the radio straight out as the bottom is on a track. Unplug any connectors in the rear.

You may also want to throw some shop rags over your dash as it's very easy for the push clips to grab the dash and scratch it on these vehicle.

Good luck,

Mike

Posted By: cjchavez
Date Posted: January 14, 2005 at 11:23 AM

hoaxs - Thanks for the information. I'm not looking to replace the HU I just need to check the back of the unit. I've talked to the people at Peripheral Electronics, who make the iPod2Car and they say I need to have a certain type of plug to use their unit. Plus, my dealer says there should be an aux input on the back of the HU, but I don't believe him (who can beleive a car salesman?).

NowYaKnow - Awesome description! Thanks so much for your help.

I'll let y'all know how it goes.

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CJ

Posted By: cjchavez
Date Posted: January 14, 2005 at 11:27 PM

Thanks to NowYaKnow I was able to remove my head unit easily. Now I need to know which connector feeds the CD changer. The model number on the unit is 2L14-18K931-CK. Here's a pic of the back of the HU.

posted_image

I thinks it's the plug just left of the nut in the center, that's the plug that shares the most wire colors with the connector at the CD changer. Any confirmation is helpful and appreciated.

Thanks again.

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CJ