How to Take a Radio Out on a 2008 Silverado

The Silverado name in Chevrolet trucks first arrived in the 1975 model year. Instead of being the model name for the truck, the name Silverado identified the top trim level of Chevys C- and K-series pickups. In 1999, Chevy released an all-new, more modern-looking pickup and gave it a familiar name, the Silverado. The 2008 Silverado came in three different sizes: 1500, 2500HD and 3500HD. All three sizes came standard with an AM-FM stereo system that included a CD player and had an available MP3 decoder, DVD player and entertainment center. Taking out the radio in the 2008 Silverado is straightforward and requires basic mechanical knowledge.

Instructions

Wrap the blade of a flat-head screwdriver with a thin layer of duct tape to protect the Silverados interior from damage caused by prying.

Pry around the outside of the radio and climate-control bezel the plastic trim surrounding the radio and climate-control panel with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips.

Remove the two screws securing the accessory switch panel the panel below the climate-control panel with a ratchet and 8 mm socket. Pull the panel from the dashboard and disconnect the wiring harness on the rear of the panel by pressing and holding the harnesss locking button and pulling the harness from its receptacle.

Unfasten the two screws securing the climate-control panel the panel with the climate controls on it. Pull the climate-control panel from the dashboard just far enough to access the wiring on its backside. Press and hold the harnesss locking button, and pull the harness from the rear of the panel.

Remove the four radio-retaining screws, and pull the radio from the dashboard until you can access the wires plugged into the rear of the radio. Press and hold the locking button on each of the radios wiring harnesses the number of harnesses depends on audio options and pull each harness from the radio. Pull the antenna wire from the rear of the radio. Slide the radio from the dashboard.

Connect the wiring harnesses into the respective receptacles on the rear of the radio they are asymmetrical to prevent incorrect connection. Plug the antenna wire into the circular receptacle on the rear of the radio. Slide the radio into the dashboard, guiding its wiring in behind it. Tighten the four radio-retaining screws with a ratchet and 8 mm socket.

Plug the wiring harness back into the rear of the climate-control panel and slide the panel back into the dash. Tighten its two retaining screws.

Reconnect the wiring harness into the rear of the accessory switch panel and guide the panel back into the dash, below the climate-control panel. Tighten its two retaining screws.

Position the radio and climate-control bezel back in place around the radio and climate-control panel, lining up the clips on the rear of the bezel with the slots in the dashboard. Press the bezel toward the dashboard to engage all of the retaining clips.

Take the 2008 Silverado to a nearby Chevrolet dealership to have the radio programmed to your truck, if you installed a replacement radio new or used. If you reinstalled your original radio, no programming is needed.