I have an REC Navigation Radio and purchased the Nav Radio center dash bezel. I searched here for this, but find conflicting reports on how to remove the center bezel and upper dash strip. I downloaded the service manual and it doesn't give much information.

I have an '06 with automatic and that stupid mini console on the floor in front of the split bench. I also already have factory Sirius. Do I need to remove the floor console and lower storage panel/cover below the center dash bezel before I can remove the bezel? Has someone done this installation?

Thanks in advance for your help. I don't think this is a very hard deal to install, but I don't want to break something because I pried when I shouldn't have . . .

Thanks!

 

remove transfercase shifter boot(pulls out by hand)
remove drink holder rubber insert(pulls out by hand)
remove 4 screws on drink holder.
remove 2 screws holding lower dash trim piece(right in front of cup holder)
remove 2 screws holding in radio bezel(located under the dash where you just removed the previous plastic piece)
pry off radio bezel carefully.
done

 

I'm getting right on it.

Thanks!

 

It's in.

I started with the intention of taking photos, but it was a bit more involved than I thought it was going to be and I did without the photos so I would get finished faster. Here's the instructions as I would give them for an '06 4x4 Big Horn automatic with split bench. . .

Remove the negative cable from your battery.

As checkster said, first remove the drink holder/mini floor console by prying out the rubber drink holders (2 8mm-head screws under there) and pulling up on the t-case shifter boot and removing the two 8mm screws under that, too (4 screws in all). Remove the mini console by shoving the boot sideways through the hole on the console and lifting the whole thing over the shift lever/****/boot. You don't have to pry the top cap off the shifter and remove the shift ****.

Next, remove the floor trim piece that's in front of the console (1 8mm screw). Then, remove the too-bad-you-don't-have-a-cupholder-here lower dash trim piece by removing the two black Philips screws and then snapping it down and out.

Look up under your radio bezel. There are two Phillips screws holding the bezel on. The screws are directly under the 12v power point and the cigar lighter. They're hard to see, so you need to get under there to look. Once the screws are out, start carefully prying the bezel out, starting low and working high. It will snap out with some effort. Remove the plugs in the back for the two 12v sockets and the HVAC control panel.

Lay your new Nav radio bezel next to the one you've removed and transfer the HVAC control panel (4 Phillips screws), the two storage cubbys (3 Phillips screws each), and the wide lower storage bin (4 Phillips screws) to the new bezel.

Remove your existing radio (4 Phillips screws) and carefully unplug the wires from the back. Remove the storage bin under the radio (4 screws) and discard.

Remove the dash panel up top by prying up on the rear part (nearest you) all the way across the dash. After the rear clips are out, carefully pull the trim piece away from the windshield and towards you to release the front clips. This exposes the top of the dash where the GPS antenna goes.

Place the GPS antenna in the tray to the right of the center speaker hole as shown in the REC instructions. It's held in place with two-sided tape. Fish the antenna wire through (the wire comes back by the antenna and feeds down next to the defroster vent that's right behind it on the dash), wrap the excess up as shown in the instructions (the instructions also say to NOT bend the wire - go figure) and secure with the included padded tape.

Carefully plug everything into the back of the REC, including your new GPS antenna plug. Push the REC into the hole and secure with the four screws. I suggest reinstalling your negative battery cable and turning the REC on to make sure it works now, before reinstalling everything.

Now, reverse the procedure to reinstall everything.

The radio itself was a breeze to install. Removing everything was a giant pain, especially as I kept thinking about how much I paid for this truck as I was prying panels up. Reinstalling everything actually went much faster.

The REC works, has a great Sirius readout, and the navigation works great, too. I'm very happy with it.

 

great write up!! thanks for all the info. did you get a pretty good deal on the set up? ive been wanting to do the same thing, but was considering aftermarket???

brett

 

I didn't get any great deal. I went to my local Mopar Accessories dealer to get the REC and bezel. I paid more because I wanted the factory nav radio that was brand new (no unknown issues) and was easy to operate. It really is easy and intuitive. I still haven't read the manual through but am able to operate everything with ease.

 

Phil-

Also very good info. I have the SLT standard Siruis non-nav radio in my truck and may now consider an upgrade. I just need to be able to find this thread when and if I do decide to swap.

I was at a local audio/tint store having my wife's car's windows tinted. They have an Alpine nav radio with hookups for both XM and Siruis installed is $1399 + tax. Also am considering that as well.

 

I'm planning on doing mine tomorrow. Thanks for the great write-up.....

 

Took only around an hour and I was up and running. Phil, very, very good directions!! Thanks

 

Thanks for the write-up. Just checking; does the REC retain the steering wheel controls? Can you play a DVD movie on it or will it only read the Nav software?

Thanks!

 

You cannot play DVDs on it as is but there's a guy on another site that has figured out how to do it. It's expensive but he's also figured out how to make his backup camera play through it too. Pretty ingenious indeed....

If you have the steering wheel controls now, then they will work with the REC. This thing works very good too. Just make sure you have a newer unit with the better joystick and also the most current disc. The early joysticks were prone to breaking....
I bought an antenna and apparently they changed the mounting plate on it for the 07s and made it bigger. Mine was too small to use both mounting holes so I had to get by with just one. No big deal....

 

I'm all for tweaking it! Zilla, can you pm me the link of the modded unit?

Thanks!

 

Could you explain the dash part a little clearer?

I'm thinking that the enitre dash pulls off. Is that correct?

If so what do you pry up on first? At the windshield or nearest the passenger and driver?

I'm really glad you posted this, I'm going to do this.

TIA,

Bone

 

The center of the dash is the first part you pull off. You start with the tray on the floor and work your way up to the bezel where the radio is. There are two screws on the bottom side of the bezel that you remove and then it's all clips. For the antenna install you need to remove the piece of the dash that is at the windshield. It's all clips holding it in place. It is a very easy job.....

 

Thanks Zilla...I'll let everyone know how it goes.