Hello, fellow Dodge owners. I've owned my 2001 Dakota for just over a year but I'm new to the forums and thought I'd introduce myself with a question:

I need to remove the dash on my Dakota to hardwire a car charger to the car dock for my phone. Getting the upper panel off won't be a problem - I installed an aftermarket stereo recently with no problems - but getting the lower panel loose has proven to be a real beast of a task. Is there a special tool needed to pop loose the metal clips holding the lower dash panel in? I've got all the screws loose but can't get the clips free.

If there is a special tool required, what's the specific name and where would I find one?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you are talking about the panel under the driver's side of the dash, after you remove the screws from the bottom edge of it, unsnap the parking brake link from the plastic connector on the back side of the brake release. Then pull the panel straight out toward the seat.

It might help you to get it started by removing the fuse panel cover from the side of the dash, it may give you a better grip on the panel. It might also help if you reach up in between the steering column covers and the inside of the dash panel; it might be easier to pull the panel loose working from there. The panel pulls straight out but it can be hard to remove if it has never been taken off before.

Jimmy

 

Thanks, Jimmy. I'll let you know how it goes. I won't be afraid of it - that panel is smaller than me.

 

Well, I tried last night and couldn't get those clips loose. I'll give it another go this weekend.

I also have a follow-up question - is it possible to just remove the smaller lower panel directly below the radio without having to remove the panel below the steering wheel? I'd like to disassemble as little as possible, and removing that single panel should give me all the access I need.

 

No, you have to remove the panel under the steering wheel first. You also have to remove the glove box and the instrument cluster bezel (the dash panel for the radio, AC-heater controls and instrument cluster) to be able to get that lower center panel out. There are screws in the sides of the lower center panel that are concealed by the glove box, the lower driver's side panel and the instrument cluster bezel. You have to remove those panels to get access to remove the hidden screws in the lower center panel. It also helps to remove the steering column cover pieces, it will give more clearance to remove the large dash bezel.

Jimmy

 

Understood. Jimmy, thank you for taking the time to give me such good advice. I'll post the results and some pictures after I finish the project.

I just have to buy the outlet, some wiring supplies, and whatever torx screwdrivers I'll need. I've been meaning to get a set of torx drivers anyway.