head unit... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69halfton · 08-01-2007, 06:04 PM

i have decided im just going to bite the bullet, and cut the dash. I figure once its done, it will look nice, and the pain of cutting vintage sheetmetal will heal eventually.

now the question remains...what holds the back of the deck up once its in the freahly cut hole.

what did some of you do?

what do you recommend doing?

72 cheyenne pdx · 08-01-2007, 06:25 PM

most, if not all, stereos come with a cage to mount your stereo in. The cage has tabs that bend and go behind the sheetmetal. That should hold the stereo in pretty good. I would also recommend using the cage as the template to cut the dash out. This way you won't cut too much out.

Good Luck

69halfton · 08-01-2007, 06:59 PM

yeah, i was looking at that...and it just doesn't seem like it will hold well enough agains only the sheetmetal of the dash...

72hotrod · 08-01-2007, 09:12 PM

The radios I have installed have a stud or threaded hole in the back end for a support strap. Get one with holes from a car radio installer or something generic from some hardware or auto parts store. Set the unit in the dash, attach the strap to it just snug, find some solid structure under the dash that you can screw the strap to, bend it just enough to reach(straighter is better),mark the location for the screw (be sure the unit is straight/level). Remove the unit, attach the strap where you marked under the dash with a screw, re-install the unit and connect the strap to it. Just look at everything carefully and use common sense. I really hate getting under the dash 'cause I'm usually in some contortionist pose (like upside down) where my neck is straining to hold up my fat head, and all the blood in me is in the wrong place. And under the dash is tight, making me cuss from frustration and claustrophobia. So, grit your teeth and bare it so you can get it done and start enjoying the tunes as you cruise!

08-01-2007, 06:04 PM	#1
69halfton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: King City, Ontario, Canada Posts: 974	head unit... i have decided im just going to bite the bullet, and cut the dash. I figure once its done, it will look nice, and the pain of cutting vintage sheetmetal will heal eventually. now the question remains...what holds the back of the deck up once its in the freahly cut hole. what did some of you do? what do you recommend doing? __________________ - Jason If you can turn, Youre not going fast enough. Favorite caption: first car to 200 mph in the 1/4 mile, no parachute, drum brakes all the way around.. ..back when men were men.

08-01-2007, 06:25 PM	#2
72 cheyenne pdx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 382	Re: head unit... most, if not all, stereos come with a cage to mount your stereo in. The cage has tabs that bend and go behind the sheetmetal. That should hold the stereo in pretty good. I would also recommend using the cage as the template to cut the dash out. This way you won't cut too much out. Good Luck

08-01-2007, 06:59 PM	#3
69halfton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: King City, Ontario, Canada Posts: 974	Re: head unit... yeah, i was looking at that...and it just doesn't seem like it will hold well enough agains only the sheetmetal of the dash... __________________ - Jason If you can turn, Youre not going fast enough. Favorite caption: first car to 200 mph in the 1/4 mile, no parachute, drum brakes all the way around.. ..back when men were men.

08-01-2007, 09:12 PM	#4
72hotrod Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Red Chute,LA Posts: 62	Re: head unit... The radios I have installed have a stud or threaded hole in the back end for a support strap. Get one with holes from a car radio installer or something generic from some hardware or auto parts store. Set the unit in the dash, attach the strap to it just snug, find some solid structure under the dash that you can screw the strap to, bend it just enough to reach(straighter is better),mark the location for the screw (be sure the unit is straight/level). Remove the unit, attach the strap where you marked under the dash with a screw, re-install the unit and connect the strap to it. Just look at everything carefully and use common sense. I really hate getting under the dash 'cause I'm usually in some contortionist pose (like upside down) where my neck is straining to hold up my fat head, and all the blood in me is in the wrong place. And under the dash is tight, making me cuss from frustration and claustrophobia. So, grit your teeth and bare it so you can get it done and start enjoying the tunes as you cruise!



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