Uplink
Member
Anyone tried this? I saw a photo of a prototype had a black trim ring and it looked great. It sure would match my dash alot better too. Anyone have a part number 
Last edited:
BCD996T-changing faceplate from SILVER to BLACK
- Thread starter Uplink
- Start date
- Status
That is a picture of a engineering prototype. No production units ever looked like that.
The BC-RH96 is solid black (less the chrome knob).
The BC-RH96 is solid black (less the chrome knob).
If it's not too expensive I'm buying a BCT15 plate and attempting it. I really like the black.
RESCUE4NFD
Member
Silver/Black
I like the black faceplate better too,the silver reminds me of a RS scanner..........
I like the black faceplate better too,the silver reminds me of a RS scanner..........
Well if you get the BC-RH96 remote head it should make all four of the radios faceplate black.
hydrolocked
Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
- Messages
- 161
digging up old threads, but I just got a BCD996XT faceplate - I removed 8 screws, and 3 nuts on the knobs, and everything pretty much comes apart - I bought the XT display cover, too - but didn't want to fake the 996XT, so I put the 996T display plate on the black faceplate... overall, the modification took me less time than an episode of south park.
What was the total cost, and can you post a photo of it, please?
hydrolocked
Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
- Messages
- 161
total cost was under 10 bucks -
Front Panel For BCD996XT - Accessories at Uniden $2 for the faceplate
Display Window For BCD996XT - Accessories at Uniden $3 for the display window. I did not use the display window (not a fan of rebranding a product to be something it's not, when the one I already had was reusaebl).
I don't have "in progress" photos, but here's a step by step (WARNING: THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT ENDORSED BY UNIDEN, AND NEITHER UNIDEN OR MYSELF WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR RADIO! DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!):
1) remove all cables from the radio
2) remove the outer black case (mounting knobs and 4 screws in the back)
3) remove the 8 screws holding the inner case on the radio
4) disconnect the speaker, and set both parts of the inner cover aside
5) remove the channel, volume, and squelch knobs - this requires some finesse and possibly a pair of pliers
6) under each knob is a locking nut with 2 notches in it - these must be removed. The easiest way I found to do this was using 2 small screw drivers, insert one driver into each notch and unscrew the nut
Be careful, at this point, some of the front panel pieces may start coming apart - specifically the piece to the left of the display window - the grey insert and LED lenses will slide out easily. The piece to the right of the display (covers the buttons), as well as the SCAN/HOLD buttons may also come out.
7) Turn the radio over, and look at the front panel from the rear
8) look at the new control head - you will be able to easily identify where the 6 to 8 screws belong
9) remove the screws holding the front panel to the metal front panel support / chassis
At this point, the front panel will come off - be careful, as the rubber buttons and plastic button backer will also come out. Note the orientation of these parts, as you will need to install them on the new faceplate
10) put the keypad and knob inserts in the new faceplate There are some adhesive strips installed in the faceplate as it comes form the factory - peel the white backing off first
11) if you bought a new display window, install it once the other inserts are installed If not, carefully remove the old one from your old faceplate, and put it in place on the new faceplate. some fglue may be needed to keep it in place, if the old glue is no longer adhesive enough.
12) put the buttons and button backer on the faceplate, just as they were removed from the old faceplate.
13) place the faceplate back on the radio
14) put the knob locking nuts back in on the knobs, and tighten them using the same tools as before
15) at this point, it is recommended you test the knob and button functions. while only holding the chassis, plug the radio into power, and verify that the CC, volume, squelch, and light functions operate properly (mine stopped working, but it's stuck on bright orange, which I like anyway). test each of the buttons. IF ANY function does not operate properly, remove the locking knobs, and reseat the faceplate to ensure it is not intergering with operation - then try again
16) Once operation has been verified, remove power
17) replace the chassis to faceplate screws (good luck with the corner ones - I needed needle nose pliers to get the screw placed properly,)
18) re-assemble the radio, ensuring that the speaker is plugged back in before securing all the inner case screws
19) put the outer chassis back on the radio
done!
Note that there are likely many ESD sensitive devices inside the radio - you don't need to FEEL a discharge for it to be hazardous to your equipment. I will not be responsible for damaged equipment! my modification worked flawlessly - do this at your own risk!
As far as the final result, it looks like a 996XT, but the display window says "996T", and the outer chassis has some scuffs from use, since I've had the radio for 5 years.
Front Panel For BCD996XT - Accessories at Uniden $2 for the faceplate
Display Window For BCD996XT - Accessories at Uniden $3 for the display window. I did not use the display window (not a fan of rebranding a product to be something it's not, when the one I already had was reusaebl).
I don't have "in progress" photos, but here's a step by step (WARNING: THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT ENDORSED BY UNIDEN, AND NEITHER UNIDEN OR MYSELF WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR RADIO! DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!):
1) remove all cables from the radio
2) remove the outer black case (mounting knobs and 4 screws in the back)
3) remove the 8 screws holding the inner case on the radio
4) disconnect the speaker, and set both parts of the inner cover aside
5) remove the channel, volume, and squelch knobs - this requires some finesse and possibly a pair of pliers
6) under each knob is a locking nut with 2 notches in it - these must be removed. The easiest way I found to do this was using 2 small screw drivers, insert one driver into each notch and unscrew the nut
Be careful, at this point, some of the front panel pieces may start coming apart - specifically the piece to the left of the display window - the grey insert and LED lenses will slide out easily. The piece to the right of the display (covers the buttons), as well as the SCAN/HOLD buttons may also come out.
7) Turn the radio over, and look at the front panel from the rear
8) look at the new control head - you will be able to easily identify where the 6 to 8 screws belong
9) remove the screws holding the front panel to the metal front panel support / chassis
At this point, the front panel will come off - be careful, as the rubber buttons and plastic button backer will also come out. Note the orientation of these parts, as you will need to install them on the new faceplate
10) put the keypad and knob inserts in the new faceplate There are some adhesive strips installed in the faceplate as it comes form the factory - peel the white backing off first
11) if you bought a new display window, install it once the other inserts are installed If not, carefully remove the old one from your old faceplate, and put it in place on the new faceplate. some fglue may be needed to keep it in place, if the old glue is no longer adhesive enough.
12) put the buttons and button backer on the faceplate, just as they were removed from the old faceplate.
13) place the faceplate back on the radio
14) put the knob locking nuts back in on the knobs, and tighten them using the same tools as before
15) at this point, it is recommended you test the knob and button functions. while only holding the chassis, plug the radio into power, and verify that the CC, volume, squelch, and light functions operate properly (mine stopped working, but it's stuck on bright orange, which I like anyway). test each of the buttons. IF ANY function does not operate properly, remove the locking knobs, and reseat the faceplate to ensure it is not intergering with operation - then try again
16) Once operation has been verified, remove power
17) replace the chassis to faceplate screws (good luck with the corner ones - I needed needle nose pliers to get the screw placed properly,)
18) re-assemble the radio, ensuring that the speaker is plugged back in before securing all the inner case screws
19) put the outer chassis back on the radio
done!
Note that there are likely many ESD sensitive devices inside the radio - you don't need to FEEL a discharge for it to be hazardous to your equipment. I will not be responsible for damaged equipment! my modification worked flawlessly - do this at your own risk!
As far as the final result, it looks like a 996XT, but the display window says "996T", and the outer chassis has some scuffs from use, since I've had the radio for 5 years.
hydrolocked
Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
- Messages
- 161
yeah... i don't have a steady hand - and $2 is less than the can of paint
- Status
