So have a 1988 pioneer. Want to take the stock jeep pos radio and replace it with a pos that takes CDs, do I have to remove the whole dash panel to replace radio. Last time I did one on a jeep it was just visible screws above the center

 

Just did my 89 Sport.

A few screws on the dash panel as well as a small piece under the steering column and the whole works popped right off.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Installation is reverse order. I bought an aftermarket wiring harness, so the whole process was less than 30 mins.