What do you need?
Screwdrivers ... various kinds. Both fittings. , Patience. !
Any TIPS i should know?
BE CAREFUL when taking screws out - having them fall into the dash could be a timely mistake! (Searching for a screw inside the dash is not fun).
FRONT PANEL REMOVAL
This DIY was done with a Phase 1 Base Model 1.3L Echo. All other NCP10/NCP13/Phase2 models are essentially the same - the dash and panels still come out the same way. .
Firstly, we must get rid of all the parts around the dash that are in the way.
Beginning with the front panel, pull off the air-con knobs. With the 3 knobs off, you'll be confronted with the following.
Take out the 2 screws in the left and right side controls. This is all that holds the whole panel on. Gently pull from the bottome upwards, and it'll unsnap from the dash.
There are 3 plugs connected to the main panel. Remove these 3 (They are for Aircon Controls, Demister, and hazard lights), and the main panel will come right off. Put it aside in a safe place
CLUSTER REMOVAL
Next we'll tackel the main instrument cluster.
Pull at the sides, then upwards. It'll unsnap from the main dash.
The Odomoter / Brightness controls are plugged into the cluster, so make sure this is detached before you put the cover in a safe place.
With the main cover removed, you'll see the following.
There are 4 screws holding the main cluster into the dash.
Remove all 4 screws where the arrows show below.
There are three main plugs holding the cluster in that are the main source of power and information for the cluster.
Unplug the one on the front left.
Then unplug the two at the rear.
With the cluster out, the three plugs will dangle in the gaping hole Scared Yet?
SPEAKER REMOVAL
The next step is removing the front speakers. Use the smallest screwdriver you have to 'pop' the cover upwards from the front corner facing you.
Below we are looking at the left hand side.
With the cover off, the speakers are held in by 2 screws. Remove them with the shortest philips head screwdriver you can get hold of. This is a bit fidly if you dont have the right tools. A socketwrench could be user her as well with a 8mm or 10mm fitting (not sure of size because i used a screwdriver).
Remove the speaker. Unplug from factory wires / or aftermarket connectors in my case.
REPEAT instructions for right side speaker.
A PILLAR PANELS
Next step is removing the A Pillar Panels. Firstly, take a look for the kick panels.
For this example, we'll look at the left hand side only.
Unattach the kick panel, and begin to remove the the door surrounds.
Remove the door surrounds to the roofline just past the A Pillar Panel..
With the door surrounds pulled back, you now have ample access to the sides of the A-Pillar panel. Pull the A Pillar away from the body up the top left. BE CAREFUl, as there is 2 clips holding it into the shell. Breaking this clips, or cracking the a pillar panel could be a big hassle, so pull gently. I got them off without a hassle.
REPEAT same procedure on the right side.
With the Main panel , cluster, speakers, and A pillars out, we are ready to remove the main dash. !!! EXCITED? I AM!
DASH REMOVAL
The dash is held in by only 4 screws!!
Take a look at the left hand side where you removed the speaker ... remove the screw shown below.
Take a look at the middle of the dash where you removed the cluster... remove the 2 screws shown below.
Take a look at the right hand side where you removed the speaker ... remove the screw shown below.
With the screws removed, the only thing left holding it in is the following PLUG. Its a little black box with DENSO on it, this is part of the control module for the speedo part of the cluster.
UNPLUG the white plug from the little black box.
With everything unplugged, and no screws remaining in the dash, pull upwards from the front edges, and gently pull the dash out of the car!
Below is the finished product. Lots of interesting wires and stuff.