want to deep six 2002 cd changer

My cd changer has jammed for the last time. Is there another brand that fits as a direct replacement? How do you remove the plastic dash cover to remove the old one?

You can buy a tool to pull out the stereo or just use a couple of nails (make sure they are fairly snug fit in the holes) that fit in the removal holes on each side of the stereo(4 total). Insert until you fell them hit s spring type piece and then push outwards and pull back on the stereo. I've used a coat hanger before, it's a little tricky if you don't use the actual tool because you have to make sure you go deep enough into the hole, yet not to far. There's only a couple of roberts screws to take out (just above the heat control) and then the plastic cover pulls off (only clips hold them on after the screws are removed).

Once the old stereo is out, you can buy a direct plug in adapter at Walmart (colour coded so it's easy to wire in) to avoid having to butcher the factory harness. Then buy a face plate that will allow you to install a smaller stereo in the double size Ford stereo hole if you aren't using another Ford stereo (also can be bought at Walmart).

I can see the holes you refer to on my Mustang but my 2002 Explorer has a "woodgrain" cover around the heating and entertainment cluster. I can pry it up a litle but it feels like it will crack with any more pressure.

Some Ford, you have to remove the trim before. My 99 F-150 I beleive was set upo that way. However the trim should remove the same way as in the previous post (two screws just above the heater control and clipped on) except for the fact it has to come of before the radio. I've never taken the wood grain trims off, but I thought they were just glued on to the existing trim. Sorry, that's really the only info I can provide.

I can see the holes you refer to on my Mustang but my 2002 Explorer has a "woodgrain" cover around the heating and entertainment cluster. I can pry it up a litle but it feels like it will crack with any more pressure.

I know its a little late but just for reference...

You have to remove the trim, what i did was use 2 screw drivers and wrapped some cloth/heavy duty shop rag around the tip and shaft (about an inch up) so it doesn't damage the trim.
Slide them in between the trim and the dash and pry it off... it is hard to remove and will feel like its gonna break but it won't.
once you get the trim off its 4 screws, remove them and the POS ford stereo will slide out.
When your reassembling it careful with the antenna jack because its only in there by tension so its a little loose.

Thanks for the help. I did get it off with a paint scraper and a mini pry bar. Like you wrote, I thought it would break, the clips that hold it are very strong.