Don't be intimidated by the idea of removing the dashboard, it's not very complicated, the only thing is it's size. Budget 2 hours for this job if you have the right tools, though it will most likely take less.
Tools needed:
Philips screwdriver
Flat screwdriver
Ratcheting wrench
Sockets sized 9mm through 13 mm
1/2" open ended wrench
10 mm open ended wrench
pliers
You'll need to take off the front of the dash first. Lower the steering wheel, and there are three screws at the top of the gauge housing that need to come out. then gently pry off the front of the dash, you may need to pull the cupholder out if it gets stuck. Reach in the back and unhook the electrical connectors for the cruise, hazards, fogs, dash brightness, etc. Once these are out, there is a cable connected to the climate control that is tricky. You need to get the cable out of the brown clip holding it in, then move the climate control until you can pull the metal part out. After this, you will be able to pull the front part off.
Next is the bottom part. Remove the kick panels by the console by pulling the clips out near the firewall, remove the trim piece by the shifter and undo the two screws closer to the parking brake. Then, start prying off the bottom panel, and using the pliers undo the bolt behind the hood release. After this you should be able to pry off the bottom part. now, using the flat screwdriver, pry off the triangular piece that is hidden by the door when it's shut. You will see
two bolts here, there are two bolts in the same place on the passenger side also. These bolts are the red arrows in the picture below.
next, use your 1/2" open ended wrench and undo the
bolts that hold the steering wheel up to the dash. these are in green in the picture below. Let the steering wheel fall.
Next, use the flat screwdriver to pry off the panel right next to the windshield. I have aftermarket tweeters so I cut the wires, but you should hunt down the connectors if you have the stock sound system. Under this panel, you will find
three bolts, shown in yellow in the picture below.
Lastly, there are
four bolts near the ECU, shown in blue below. undo these and your dash will wiggle freely.
Gently pull the dash away from the firewall, reach behind and undo all of the electrical connectors, and you will be able to remove the entire dashboard. Installation is the reverse of removal.
