I've been searching like crazy and I can't find any threads about removing the stock head unit. How do you remove it?

 

The door, surround and air vents is ONE single piece. It's pressure fit by tabs. You need to yank and wiggle on the semi open door to get the bottom corners to come loose. Then you must continue to work the rest of the piece off as you go up. When you get to the vents, the whole piece must be detached by wiggling and pulling it downwards.
This will expose the bolts that hold the HU in.

 

I found in my car at least it was easier to start at the top.

The dash gives a little and I was able to just stick a finger in there and pop two clips, then the rest was easy.

 

on my 04 it is nessacary to remove the center console to put it in

i started by tugging on the door on each side slightly

 

Same here. Popping up the plastic center console cover was required on my '05. With the center console cover in place, the bottom edge of the stereo cover couldn't slide back far enough for the tabs to come out of their slots without bending them. Getting them back in like that was nearly impossible.

The downside is that after removing and replacing the center console cover, the action of the sliding door isn't as smooth -- there's a jerk at about 2/3 of the way open.

 

Mine is acting strangely too.

 

Me three, but it's been like that for well over a year now so I don't really notice it anymore. I wouldn't try to fix it. The worst thing that can happen is the metal retractor reel for the cupholder door pops off and you have to put it back. Ask me how I know this...

Peter

 

2004-2005 MUST LIFT the trim around the shifter before the heaunit panels come out. Check the electronics FAQ, all the info you need is there.

 

My old MY2000 did that about three times. When I traded that car in, the cupholder was NOT functioning properly.

 

thanks guys for the help, i'll give it a try when i pop in my spods today