i just got a new stereo for christmas, but am a little puzzeled as how to remove the front part of the dash to remove the old system, and to install the new one. Anybody have any ideas?

 

on my 01 1500, the black plastic bezel just pops off. no screws, nothing else to remove. some of the older ones require removal of cup holder stuff. i'm not sure about your 02. i know its similar/same as my 01, but i don't know if its exactly the same.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/audio-v...-speakers.html

 

start popping off the trim and unbolt things.. thats how i do it and it works just fine =]

 

there is that black plastic trim and with a firm grip u can pull it off then there is two bolts holding the head unit on and then start changing it, just be careful that black piece is kinda fragile haha

 

its not fragile. its rough and tough. i pull it off easy all the time and it hasn't broke.. yet =]

 

Its not rough and tough like you think. I've only pulled mine off twice, once to replace the head unit, once to replace the headlight switch. The second time, I cracked part of it somehow. It still works, but I will replace it someday.