Radio Mount Bolt Dropped into Dash--Help!

[OVTaco]

When I was hooking up my DF-TOY and had to pull the radio, one of the bolts fell from my socket straight thru the opening behind the AC controls. Of course I now have an irritating rattle. I have spent hours with a part magnet trying to get the thing with no sucess. It sounds like its near the aux. power outlet. How can you get access to that area?

[Fluxaholic]

Well, you're going to have to take apart your interior a bit. The question is how much?

First thing to try: You may be able to get to it just by taking out the center console piece. It's easier to take off than it is to describe it, but here goes:

1. Remove the shift knob.
2. Remove the shifter cover (push the sides together and pull it off).
3. Remove the 4 screws holding down the center console piece.
4. Remove the armrest cubby (open it up, pull out the felt bottom, unscrew the 2 bolts holding it down, and then pull the whole piece up and back)
5. The center console piece should then pop off.

Once you've gotten the cneter console piece out, you should be able to look and feel around under the dash.

Hopefully, that solves the problem, but if not, you're going to have to go ahead and take that lower dash piece out that has the accessory power outlets. The only problem is that you'll have to take a few other pieces out first to get to it:

1. Remove the driver's side door sill (just pop it off).
2. Remove the driver's side kick panel (pull off the dead pedal/footrest, unscrew the rubber plug by hand, then just pop the kick panel off).
3. Remove the little tray to the right of the steering column (just pop it off).
4. Remove the dash piece underneath the steering column (remove the screw on the bottom left corner which was covered by the kick panel, remove the screw on the bottom right behind the tab cover, and pop the whole thing off). There will be wires connecting this dash piece to the switches on the left of the steering column. Don't worry about disconnecting them to take this piece all the way out. Just let it hang there.
5. Remove the dash piece over the steering column and instrument cluster (pop out the two plastic rivets under the overhang over the instrument cover using a sharp knife and then pop the whole piece out). Again, there will be wires that don't let you pull the whole piece out. Don't disconnect them; just let the piece sit loose there.
6. Remove the head unit (obviously, you know how to do this already).
7. Remove the dash piece around the head unit (it's in there tight, and you'll have to use some gentle force, but it'll just pop out).
8. Now you can just pop out the dash piece underneath that has the accessory outlets. You'll have complete access to the lower dash area.

This seems a lot harder than it is. Having done it a few times now, I can probably get everything off in less than 10 minutes. The first time I did it, I think it took me about an hour. You'll have to use more force than you think for some parts. If you have any doubts or questions, just run a search. There's more than enough info on this forum.

Good luck!

[OVTaco]

Wow, I sure hope the first part of your response works! I really appreciate your attention to detail in my self inflicted rattle. Thank you very much!

You have one hott looking Taco there too!

[Fluxaholic]

No problem. Let's just say that the third time I had to open my dash was due to a self-inflicted rattle (didn't properly secure the GPS antenna).

[OVTaco]

I feel for ya bud, Thanks again!