The F-150 -- the most popular amongst the F-series lineup -- did not arrive until 1975, despite the F-series itself arriving in 1948. The F-150's popularity took Ford by surprise, and nine years later the automaker eliminated the F-100 and set the F-150 as its base pickup. The 1989 F-150 featured an optional AM/FM radio available to help drown out road noise. Replacing this radio is a fairly simple task.
Instructions
- 1
Open the ashtray located under the radio bezel -- the plastic trim surrounding the radio and HVAC controls. Grab the outer edges of the bezel with your hand, and pull it away from the dashboard to disengage the retaining clips. Remove the bezel and set it in a secure location.
2Remove the four radio-retaining screws, using a Phillips screwdriver or a ratchet and 7 mm socket -- the tool depends on the type of radio.
3Slide the radio from the radio chassis in the dash just far enough to access the wiring on the rear of the radio. Press and hold the unlock button on each of the two wiring harnesses on the rear of the radio, and pull each wiring harness from the radio. Pull the antenna cable -- the black cable -- from the rear of the radio. Remove the radio from the F-150.
4Plug the two wiring harnesses into the rear of the radio -- they are different shapes, so they can only fit in one receptacle each. Insert the antenna cable into the antenna input on the rear of the radio.
5Slide the radio into the chassis in the dash -- take special care to guide the radio's wiring into the chassis. Tighten the four radio-retaining screws, using a Phillips screwdriver, or a ratchet and 7 mm socket.
6Line up the clips on the rear of the radio bezel with the slots in the dashboard, and press around the perimeter of the bezel to engage the retaining clips.
