How do I get the stock stereo out of my VL commodore? It seems stuck... i had a look and it seems like theres some bracket screwed in at the top of it but i can't see any way of getting at it! Anyone know how to get the sucker out?

There are two ways - 1 - drop most of the dash down and undo the bolt on the bracket. You then just need to remove the bracket. 2 - Get your biggest screw driver, crow bar or whatever and a hammer and go about beating the dirty mofo out. Option 1 is tricky, time consuming but safe. Option 2 is fun, good for stress releif but dangerous.

the stock stereo had spring loaded clips down the sides .. when i removed mine I didnt know this, and basically just pulled on the bugger till it came out .. one side was already half out when i started, which i think is why this worked .. i basically levered it forward, and it pulled the clips on one side backwards untill they snapped back, and it came right out .. i was even able to straighten the clips and resell the old unit .. dunno why anyone would want it, but .. ah well.. then fitting a new one was nice and easy with no damage done to the dash.

Mmm i had a look and there's no spring loading on it - maybe you had a different series to me or something. I can't figure out how to get the top of the dash off! is it just screws? i may just take the sucker to strathfield, let those goons do it 4 me

You can take it to Strathfield but they're gonna charge like wounded bulls to get it out. You'll be looking at like $120 to get it taken out and the new one fitted. There are just screws in there to remove it.

U'd b good 4 breakin' into cars and steelin stezzaz'

Racist i know but you could always park your car in local aboriginal area with a sign saying first person to get the head unit out gets a tallie... watch it come out in seconds and only cost ya one beer.

or you could park it there and lock it up good put the alarm on and go round the corner. same result but doesnt cost you anything.

Easiest thing to help you get these out is to buy a Workshop manual - KMART's auto section should have them. They tell you exactly what bolts are where to remove the dashboard and get to the radio.

hammer and chisel

uhmmm.. ok there is a security bracket usually on the left hand side of the stereo with a screw facing the wrong way (its a bitch to get to) you basically have to drop your dash, or do what i did, drop half of the dash and rip the **** out of it (i only managed to rip the bracket) i twisted and pulled until it finally gave way... you'll then be able to get to the bracket (whats left of it) which you can unscrew and put the other one in! SIMPLE! and it'll only take about 4 hours

my head unit had 2 spring loaded clips holding it in, either side, all i did was take the side of the head unit off at the front, behind that were 4 small screws, took then out, and put a flat blade screw driver and moved one of the tangs down, and the head unit came right out, 10 minute job, and i didnt even know what i was doing either.

kick the living fudge out of ur old tech and smash it to bits and simply ref it out or u can pop it out with a screwi

yea man just get into it give your self a lot of time. it only took me 10 min or so to get it out of my VL but just the same be jental but forsefull at the same time. just for something different you should keep it in there (the original head unit) if it something different and original your looking for in a car than a VL with a standard stereo is the go. man honistly how many here have seen one latley. lol lol lol lol Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

me i still got my 1.............................sitting in the garage

And where the **** is MY stock Calais deck while we're on the topic?

the way i got it out was i got one of those socket rench things and pulled off the end and used that.i pulled out the ash try and stuck my hand in there and managed 2 get 2 the scew with the end of that socket thing, if the screw is lose u should b able 2 get it. fvuk goin 2 srathfield they'l charge u an arm and a leg. tell me if it works 4 ya

the best way is to pull the entire dash apart, that way u can start frest and rewire the whole thing propperly, and like it did, i used the security piece on my new unit, so its a bitch to get out as well. the fisrst time u pull the dash apart is the hardest, but u find that it just gets easier and quicker every time!! i can pull mine out in record time now!!!!! rock dogg

LOL @ rock dogg i'll race ya mine must have been in and out about 12 times since i put my stezza in only barsted is air vents i have trouble some times poping the basteds out sometimes i still got my stocky too (along with teh stockies from most of my mates cars hell i must have 15 holden radios in my shed theres even a HQ and a HG radio in there)

heh, i know what u mean with those air vents last time i pulled it all apart and put it all back together, i had a piece ledft over!!!! it was the bit from the top centre air vents that goes behind the vents, on of the first bits u put in when u put it back together..... one of the most annoying thisng possible to happen!!!!!!!!