Cut up dash-Is it worth trying to save?

[JMD]

The cab I bought is perfect except for the hacked up radio slot. Looks like the PO just cut it and then folded the tabs back to make room for an aftermarket radio. Question is, do you guys think it's worth trying to bend and weld it back to original? What's the best way to go about it?

Yes I could just install an aftermarket radio, buy a patch panel from LMC, or buy that cool aluminum insert that another member here makes, but I'd like to keep that $80 for parts that are more fun...

[Clavo106]

imo.. I would just cut it out and add a patch.. that looks like its going to be more work to straightin out.. PITA.. imo..

[Spartan]

Patch pieces come up in the for sale section or place a WTB and somebody will have one.

That would be how I would do One of trucks didn't come with a radio so I just covered to hack with a delete and put the stereo under the seat.

I agree though. Unless you have mad hammer and weld skills it will be a PITA.

[swamp rat]

I want you to see basically what your looking for in this post, the patch panel will be cut in four places and have little welding, the upper welds mostly being covered by the bezel and dash pannel, ideally this repair panel should have been cut further to the outside on the bottom by an inch or so to get to the smaller metal. you can see in the pic next to it how a different attempt was made the hard way.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...7&postcount=24

Try and avoid these, way too much work and thinner steel.

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...number=DFRP072

[notsolo]

Different no weld option, Is the rest of the dash good ? If that is the worst of the damage I would use vise grip's and carefully flatten that piece. Mold a thin piece of sheet metal to fit up and down across the backside. ( pre-drilled hole ), J-B weld and clamp to back side, fill crack, sand smooth. Most radio's have adjustment at the knobs (depth )and a front bezel will cover the rest. I decided to try J-B weld after reading this...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=369713.....I repaired My old grille, shape was good but had holes and other damage, then painted over.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=499980

[Grumpy old man]

Repair what you already have it's not that bad . Why cut the dash out for such a small repair ? Give it a shot and if it doesn't look the way you want THEN go for a replacement panel .

[68is4me]

x2 ^

Hammer and dolly, little welding and grinding and once the radio is back in nobody will ever know, ezpz

[70LonghornCST]

As already stated above, fix what you have. Clean it up by cutting out the bent/twisted area out, and cutting a piece to fit the hacked out section (Orange rectangle on your dash).

I did that to mine:

However, I did notice that on yours, you may have bending extending out of the radio area and up toward the dash pad area. (See the yellow rectangle on your dash). If that's the case, you'll need a larger patch, going up under the dash pad. Not a big deal, but if you're going to fix it, get it well the first time.

[JMD]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I tried to rework the existing piece but I don't have the tools or skills to make it look decent. That area of the dash is very noticeable and I think as soon as there's some glossy paint on it every single imperfection will be highlighted.

70LonghornCST, I noticed the same thing, looks like the whole thing is bent out of shape but it's just the camera...weird.

I like the idea of cutting out the whole center section. Easier to weld and most of them will be hidden anyway. So now the question is, does anyone have a dash they want to sell me?

I'll try to get a hold of the guy I sold my original cab to. Since the bottom half of the cab was so rotted he said he was only going to cut it up and use it for parts. Kinda sucks to buy back pieces of a cab that I previously owned though...

[swamp rat]

What Notsolo suggested is way more intensive than he realises, removing the whole dash requires removing the windshield then drilling out about 60 or so spot welds on the lower windshield flange, there are also some bolts under the dash but they are no big deal. Then of course all the spot welds you drilled out have to be re welded while clamping the flanges back into place

[JMD]

I found a non AC dash panel that will work, $35 bucks shipped to my front door. Too bad it's cut in such a funky place...

I think my best bet is to cut out the radio portion with the bottom cut running through the middle of the ash tray slot. Thoughts?

[swamp rat]

Wait for a better one, i got one like i described for $40.

I'm not saying it cant be done using that but i would probably just cut out the radio portion on the bottom. Just remember that welding creats heat and heat tends to lead to warpage so go slow and use spot welds

[GTSideSwipe]

Eh... just get a patch panel. That's what I did.

http://www.manestruckparts.com/store...Category_ID=20

[JMD]

I bought the patch panel and cut out a chunk that I think will be seamless once it's all painted. The plan is to tack it in place with a weld every 1/8th inch and then, since my welding skills are deplorable, I'll use that JB weld trick mentioned earlier to hide any holes.

[hamjet]

100% better looking already....