I'm trying to put a different CD player in, and holy **** I am at a loss. How the hell do you remove that center piece? In my 03 it was a piece of friggin cake. Also, can I put the new CD player in place of the tape player? The CD player where it is sucks because it's hard to put the damn thing in while I'm in 3rd or 5th.

 

pull the shifter peice off first, then the upper dash peice. After that youll need the ford head unit kits to remove it, or fabricate your own out of clothes hangers. its fairly easy, you just have to take your time so you dont snap the plastic

 

I cant remove the center piece with the enviromental controls, radio etc. I'm afraid of snapping the plastic. I removed the shifter, removed the screws to remove the center piece, and unscrewed the screws under the tape player. That's where I'm stuck. Do I need the tool?

 

just pull it off. you arent going to break it unless you grab it from the corner and rip with full force.