cutting dash for stereo

[76bonanza]

Why is everyone opposed to it? Is it just to keep it stock? Mine is far from stock already.

For those who have put newer head units in will they all fit? Any depth issuses or face plate sizes that wont work? Is it fairly easy to cut with say a dremel?

Thanks

[chevymaz]

I debated on this issue for a while also and finally decided what the heck...so I cut mine with a Dremel and installed a Pioneer Head unit in with no issues.

[CochinoFilipino]

Originally Posted by 76bonanza

Why is everyone opposed to it?

Not everyone is.

I AM opposed to the hack job some PO did on mine because it was not done cleanly.

[epthree04]

i think the stock look of the dashboard looks great with the older style radio so thats why i dont want to cut into it. also that its an original and perfect condition dash.

[1968 c10]

I can see both sides of the issue... I probably would have left my dash intact, but the PO didn't give me the option.

If you do decide to cut your dash, please make it look better than mine, which looks like it was hacked out with a butterknife by a drunk monkey.

After the monkey sobered up and realized the horror of what he did, and tried to cover it up with a piece of stainless steel.

Oh, and another thought... if you cut the dash, put in a decent stereo... my dash was trashed for some generic-sounds like s#!t am/fm cassette player.

I brought my truck off of pictures alone, but none of the pictures showed the dash...I was pissed when I saw it.

[76bonanza]

chevymaz was there plenty of room in back behind the unit and was it hard to cut cleanly?

[76bonanza]

also chevymaz does it all fit in the indention of the radio part of the dash if you know what I mean? Also any pics.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Plenty of room just measure 45 times cut once.. Dremel works very well..

[shifty]

Originally Posted by 1968 c10

Oh, and another thought... if you cut the dash, put in a decent stereo... my dash was trashed for some generic-sounds like s#!t am/fm cassette player.

yeah - and what looks like a shaft-style radio at that, which should have fit in the stock opening

[Huskerboy2]

I wont cut my dashes because I like the stock look. But, it's just too easy to install a stereo somewhere else in the truck so you don't have to cut the dash. Glovebox, console (if you have buckets), etc.

[kelsfine69]

Dont Do It... Dont Even think About it...

[mplex2000]

I won't cut them anymore (I did when I was a kid) if they are uncut, but mine has already been cut a bit, so it's getting cut again to fit a standard din unit.

[BigMike]

I think this is considered a "Hack Job"



Looks like this now, (or at least until I can get some paint on her)...Did paint the firewall though it's a start.



Peace,

Mike

[special-K]

It`s one of those things that is alot of work to repair at a later point.Someday we`ll probably have mini-discs and head units made specifically for old vehicles that will slip right in.Then,we`ll be sorry.Like:sunroofs,63-67 Vette wheel-openings,Stepside fenders hacked for tail lights,GMC grilles chopped-up to change the center bars...

[76bonanza]

I look at it this way I bought this truck because it is the best looking truck I have seen new included. Put a 350 in it for more power. Lowered it for better looks will install one piece windows for looks and no wind noise. I like the look of a modern radio in our dash very custom. And although you can mount a new stereo anywere the best and most functional place is the dash. Same reason I drive my rig in the rain and every day to work because I love it and I want to use it. But anyway anyone got any pics of good in dash installs adn clean cuts?

[mocwon]

For me it was a non-issue, so I cut it. With many other items updated on the truck and the desire to have a good radio/CD player where I could reach it when driving made the decision simple for me. IMO, if done properly, the new radio/CD's look much cleaner and neater than the original shaft style radios.

[Billla]

Originally Posted by 76bonanza

Why is everyone opposed to it? Is it just to keep it stock? Mine is far from stock already.

To me it's just one of those things that's a one-way trip - i.e., once it's cut, it's a helluva lot of work to put it back in stock trim. When I face those kinds of choices, I just look for other alternatives.

For the resto-minded guy, a cut dash is just one less part that's in the big parts pool for these trucks...and I think we're all aware that part of the affordability of these truck is a boatload of used parts at cheap prices (except for tow hooks, but that's just insanity

[Billla]

Originally Posted by big.mike

I think this is considered a "Hack Job"

Mike, that's some REALLY nice work! Do you have any shots before the primer went down?

[boraxman]

I have virgin dash and doors...whatever thats worth. I almost wish someone had cut them before me cause I wont.

[shifty]

that reminds me, my stock doors have some rust bubbles popping up on them. i need to do something about that :\

[Brainchild]

Originally Posted by 1968 c10

If you do decide to cut your dash, please make it look better than mine, which looks like it was hacked out with a butterknife by a drunk monkey.

After the monkey sobered up and realized the horror of what he did, and tried to cover it up with a piece of stainless steel.

Looks like the same guy owned my truck,looks like it was raped.I do like having a CD player,but I would prolly not cut the dash had it not been done already.I like the stock radio look also.I all depends on where you're heading with your project.

[1968 c10]

Shifty, that was what pissed me off the most, the cassette player would have fit with no problem at all.

Mike, very nice job fixing your dash! Can I ask where you made your cuts at to fix it? I have a dash out of a 72 at my disposal if I decide to fix mine, but don't know where the best place to cut would be.

[shelby987]

to cut or not cut is really an issue of whether you are planning on selling your truck, and if you prefer the looks of old or new. I was going to put mine in the glovebox, but I didn't want to mess with having to have the glovebox door open all the time. I considered one of the companies that uses all the new equipment, and stuffs it inside of your old radio, but for $500 I would at least like to play a CD.....cost and convience influenced my decision....the $400 saved is still going into my truck though, and not my pocket!

[cstanley]

same s@#$, different day. PO cut mine, i've been trying to decide whether to restore it. i drive mine, so i like modern tunes. at the end of the day if you want modern tunes, i think a cut dash is the way to go. it's FAR cleaner than having an original radio (that you don't use) and another radio in numerous possible locations, always junking up an otherwise clean interior, no matter where it's put. you'll always lose something. i was drifting toward a carputer, but my newest thought is this: it's the chrysler nav radio (made by alpine) and are available on ebay. i'm trying to figure out some interface issues with older vehicles (somehow it has to be hooked up to the car's computer) but it may be the way i go.

this image is a photoshop quickie using a pic that mario72 posted of his dash a while back (sorry mario72, i didn't have access to another pic of my own dash)

anyway, here it is. it's 1.5 din, so i'm not really sure whether it'll fit like this or not. i think it looks cool b/c of the rounded corners, whick look to fit into the dash location.

[jimmydean]

I'm still looking to do a Mac Mini once the rest of my interior is done this summer. I'm not 100% on the location, but it's something I am looking to do next winter.

I am torn between leaving the dash stock and using a decoy deck, or cut it up and do a fresh install with all the trimmings. Guess I'll know when I get there, I'm a ways off at this point.