looking for tips to remove clock panel

Need help to remove the clock and hazard panel?

 

It really is a pain. I don't know how I got mine out. It's very decieving as to what is one piece and what is another. The worst part is I don't think I learned anything from my experience so I can't really help you much and if I had to repeat it again I'd probably have just as bad a time.

 

Took me a while too. I resorted to sticking butter knives in between the plastics, getting pissed and just wedging it as hard as i could. Made a snap, and i thought i broke it, but came out with out a scratch.

 

Wouldn't removing the headunit make it easier?

 

You gotta remove the headunit. Use a knife to pry out the ac controls and disconnect those. Then pop off the black panels under the ac vents which leaves a hole. Inside those holes, you can access the clips to remove the headunit. Pull the headunit out and start taking it apart from behind. This will give you access to that piece you want.

 

I worked on at about 45min last night, and got so aggravated,that I had to stop before I tore something up. I am going to try again this mourning.

 

I got a really really small flat head screwdriver, ripped an old shirt, wrapped the end with the small piece of fabric so I didn't scratch the dash, and the AC controls popped right out so I could get to the bolts holdin the head unit in.

 

This might help. Plus, it's enjoyable to look at.

http://www.*********.com/tacoma/installation/stereosystem/

 

This.

I even had the little instructions from the dash adapter kit that turned out to be worthless.

 

Yea its a real PITA to do. I didnt know what the hell was going on when I first did it and it took me like 80 minutes to take the whole thing apart (I was gonna paint my face plate black).

 

thanks for all the input, I finally did it !!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know this is an old thread, but still comes up first on google when you search this issue.

Just removed the clock from my headunit. ********* is wrong, there are 6 clips, not 4. Each is very small, 2 on top, 2 on bottom, and one on each side. Wedge knives in the top and bottom to keep the clips free from the holes.

Then slide 2 knives in the sides and push the clock out from the front (pushing on the display part GENTLY).
It comes out very easy, but the major pain is retracting all the clips at the same time. I see why everyone thinks it is so difficult.
The key is don't give up.

 

Since this old thread was revived I'll ask here, when you are pushing the clock out are you pushing the front face and it's coming out the back, or are you pushing on the back to pop it out the front? Any pictures from anybody?

 

That sucked and I accidentally snapped part of the stock dash kit on the way out. It's a good thing I'm not ever selling my truck.

 

Removing the stereo as a "unit" with the clock is EASY - crazy to me how easy it is actually, every vehicle I've ever had has been much more work. Now, removing the clock from the stereo trim is the tricky part. I found a kinda crappy, yet helpful, video on youtube: https://youtu.be/0-zlZgTotcg

The video doesn't do a good job showing exactly what you're dealing with but it was enough to point me in the right direction. Which was really helpful because I was going down the wrong avenue and prying parts that were not getting me anywhere. Once he gets it removed you can get a glimpse of the areas you need to focus on to get it removed.