Is it hard to replace a radio in a 01 Dakota? Do I have to remove the whole dash just to replace a radio? Are there any links(preferably with pics) that would help me do this?

 

if you order from crutchfield.com they usually come with installation instructions and i've done them in numerous cars and its not to hard at all...i know the changed the interior in 01 so i'm sure its a little different than my 00

 

If ThePlaymaker is correct about the dash change being in 01 ( i think he is) then you have the same dash as me (2004) and replacing the radio in mine was easy but you do have to take the bezel off, if i remember correct there are 3 screws just above the instrument cluster and the rest just pops off.
make sure you get the wiring harness and dash converter, real cheap from wally world, and makes everything easier and looks a lot better.
good luck

 

if you order from crutchfield it will come with instructions on how to do it and if you get a radio that works with your truck you will get a wiring harness(sometimes its free and other times its like 30.00 but still worth the 30.00) On my 98 it took me 30min to get it installed(would of been longer if it didnt come with harness) thats taking the old one out and putting the new one in. Hardest part of the entire thing was soldering the wires .

 

it's cake. its 2 screws above the gauges, then pull. you can probably work with the wires to your hvac controls/ 4x4 control (if equipped) , and headlight switch still connected. otherwise unplug them and pull it out.

 

If you don't have tilt steering it's also helpful to remove the torx screws holding the 2 covers together on the steering column. Be careful when working the dash panel out around the hazard switch. You have to kind of compress the part of the dash trim bezel that covers the instrument cluster together and sort of roll it out from between the steering wheel and the dash. It's a really tight fit without tilt steering. The dash panel is big but it does snap out. It takes patience.

Jimmy

 

good tip or go about it like this ( i dont have tilt steering and works for myself). without having to take anything else apart, once your have the dash face popped from the frame, turn the key in the run position (truck isnt running) , drop the shifter all the way to first gear, apply the parking brake first. then work the gauge cut out over the steering wheel then pul the dash face up over the steering wheel.

 

2001DodgeMan, you're getting some well-meaning but incomplete information. I just replaced my radio in my 2002 (same as yours) and if you go HERE you can spend $7 and get sep-by-step directions.

I'ts quite simple if you follow their instructions.

One more thing... if you have 4-wheel drive be sure to check the switch once you get it all back together. It's easy to bump it out of 2-wheel drive.

 

Remove the 2 phillips screws from under the top of the bezel on the instrument cluster. Remove the 3 torx screws under the bottom edge of the knee bolster panel under the steering column, disconnect the plastic retainer for the parking brake release lever & remove the knee bolster panel. It helps to remove the screws holding the instrument column covers and take both halves of the cover out of the way. Then the dash panel will snap out. Disconnect the climate control, passenger air bag switch and headlight switch connectors, put the shifter in 1st gear if you have an automatic transmission and work the panel out of the truck being careful of the hazard switch and be careful not to scratch the instrument cluster bezel. Then just remove the 4 screws holding in the radio and unplug the 2 harnesses and the antenna end.

You will need an installation kit for an aftermarket stereo, and it really helps to have the matching wire harness to connect the new unit to the existing OE radio wire harness. It will take the guess work out of wiring the new radio, plus if you ever sell the truck it will be really easy to reinstall the old OE radio. You can buy both parts at any good car audio shop or at Best Buy. Both together should not cost more than $25.00. Some of the brands of installation kits even have an instruction sheet in the bag with the kit.

The wire harness will be color coded the same as the harness for the new unit. Be sure to connect the blue/white wires together to turn on the OE Infinity amplifier, if you have one. If you have separate tweeters up on your sail panels, you have the Infinity system. The Infinity amp is located in the passenger's kick panel but there should be no need to access it if all you are doing is installing a new radio. Also be sure to insulate the orange and orange/white wires on the harness if your new radio does not have a separate illumination wire. If the illumination wires short out in the dash, you will have no dash lights and need to take it all back apart again to fix it.

Also, you can get a piece of plumbing strap (they may call it a back brace) at the car stereo store or at the hardware store and bolt one end to the back of your new radio and bend it under the radio towards the front, then run a screw thru one of its holes into the horizontal plastic brace under the OE radio location, between it and the area for the climate controls. Doing so will offer more support for the unit, making it less likely to break internally, plus it will be harder for a thief to steal it. Most guys would not take this step, but when I was an installer I always went by the motto, "if I can't find time to do it right, then how will I find time to do it twice?'". Solder and tape or heat shrink your connections, or use crimp connectors properly attached with a quality crimping tool and the new radio should work fine for years.

Jimmy

 

He summed it up. But compared to many vehicles its cake.