cutting the dash

[skeeter288]

personally, i'm still running a shaft mount radio, but i've taken the ash tray out
and replaced with an equalizer/booster.cutting the dash dousn't make much diff to me.i probably will when my radio goes up.

as far as the gas tank? you can't be doused with gasoline if you arre in an accident with the tank under the bed.however, this is just my opinion.

[mocwon]

I cut mine for the DIN size unit. Much more convenient and easier to get to than the glove box mounting. Done correctly, it does not detract from the appearance but that's obviously just my opinion. Newer DIN style radio/CD combos are far superior in performance than any shaft mount stereo ever available. I also lowered mine, relocated the gas tank, put a fuel door in the bedside, welded up the antenna hole and made other modifications too numerous to count.

Now, my 1970 Mach 1, was restored with only bolt on options and no cutting other than the Shelby upper control arm relocation to improve handling.

[Mudder]

I'm all for cutting!!!!!!!!

[muddpile]

The dash is the only thing on my truck that hasn't been cut up, so I figure I might as well make it match with my dremel. AM sucks too bad to want to keep it stock around here.

[ChevLoRay]

I cut the dash on my sons' 69, back in '99. He wanted a din-sized unit with a CD player, so there was no option for us. I used a Dremel Tool, and sized the cut with the sleeve that the radio (a Jensen) slid into. When I sold his (my) truck, the prospective owner never flinched at the opening. He could see that it was not butchered....and, it wasn't.

As for the past, I've seen so many dashes that have been butchered when the owners would mount, or just try in some cases, to install a radio that never was intended to fit. Anyone with a few years under their belt, will recall the factory radios that Ford used in '55, which had a round face/dial. I have seen that radio, installed in a 55-59 Chevy pick up dash. Not good. At least in todays' lifestyles, we have some standardization in radios, with DIN and Double-DIN being the majority of the offerings from various manufacturers.

Any job that is worth doing, is worth doing well. If you want to install a DIN-sized radio, then by all means go ahead an do it. I have one more double-shaft Pioneer, that will fit my '69. When it takes a crap, I'll see what's on the market and make my decision at that time. If I can adapt a Sirius/XM tuner to my Pioneer and and make it work, it'll happen. I'll just use a Dremel Tool and carefully plan my cut, then make it happen. It will look good, and the DIN-sized radio will fit and look very nice.

[MrC1]

Mine's not cut and I plan to keep it that way.

Anyone care to list and/or post some pics of the radios that fit in the stock dash opening?

[crazy longhorn]

The dash is not cut on my Longhorn......but this is only 'cause I have not spent the cash for a good system! IMO, these old trucks are not going to pull the bucks as the old muscle cars do (for stock resto). after chopping the top 4", channelling the body 1 1/2", dropping suspension, shaving, adding a steel tilt clip......I guess cutting the dash would be a moot point Anybody want my stock dash? He!!, I dont think its worth anything.......but if you have some bucks, I will cut her out Too much yackin.....its your truck, build it how you like it..... L

[cflvulcan]

no balls!!! cut the dash!!! lol. if it bothers you just put it somewhere else: glovebox, center console.... but this is coming from a guy who relocated the gas tank, lowered it, and i dont have much money for new trim and marker lights so i shaved them off. i was gonna lose the heater box too off the firewall too cause i needed another one but luckily my friend got me one.lol. later...

tom

[BowTieMan]

Originally Posted by cflvulcan

but this is coming from a guy who relocated the gas tank, lowered it, and i dont have much money for new trim and marker lights so i shaved them off.

tom

Thats a hot rodders way of "fixing up" an old truck. lol I was going to do the same thing with my lights but got some new ones for x-mas.

[Green Machine]

Anyone have any pics of a "properly" modified dash and a good looking unit installed ??

[Mudder]

I don't think mine looks that bad. You can see a little of the old radio cutout on the left. If a guy wanted to get rid of that you could probably make a plate to go behind the radio.

The dash doesnt show the orange peel in person like that one pic does.

[matthufham]

Originally Posted by Mudder67

You can see a little of the old radio cutout on the left.

i cut out the holes and welded sheetmetal there. it looks way better this way.

[mocwon]

[QUOTE=matthufham]i cut out the holes and welded sheetmetal there. it looks way better this way.

Yeah, that's what I did too.

[matthufham]

your truck is beautiful, again (can't say that enough).

[FUNMUDDER]

I guess I don't see what the big deal is about cutting a dashboard. If its your truck, you do what you want with it. The PO of my truck put in a cheap cassette/AM FM radio in the stock holes, and it looks way worse than cutting the dash to put in newer radio.
And besides, a custom AM/FM radio for these old trucks is what, 180 dollars or more? I can buy a badarse CD/Radio for that, and possibly universal mount speakers, too. Just my thoughts on this. I'd cut the dash anyday

[72MARIO]

I cut and filled the radio knob inpressions. Before I did the paint. The cut looks awesome. It looks stock and not hacked up. I would NEVER want only AM/FM in my truck.

[72-stomper]

If you do a real clean instalation,,,,I wouldnt mind...Take your time!!!Make it look factory!!!
NO BEST BUY JOB!

[FUNMUDDER]

Hell yeahs brother!

[chevymaz]

That looks great Mocwon...where did you get the aluminum bezel and glove box?

[matthufham]

Originally Posted by chevymaz

That looks great Mocwon...where did you get the aluminum bezel and glove box?

if i remember, they're custom made

[mocwon]

Originally Posted by chevymaz

That looks great Mocwon...where did you get the aluminum bezel and glove box?

Here's the website:

http://www.jjengineering.us/products/products.htm

The owner's name is Javier Sanchez, a really nice guy to deal with.

[72MARIO]

Here is mine cut and primed . You dont see the gap on top once the trim ring in installed.

[FUNMUDDER]

Yeah, but if your "Runnin down the road, trying to loosen your load" and want to skip a song ar change the station, you have to:
A:Have a friend switch it, if theres a friend with you.
B:Pull over and switch it
C:Suffer through the pain of crappy music or commercials.
Therefore, I will cut my dashboard.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by FUNMUDDER

Yeah, but if your "Runnin down the road, trying to loosen your load" and want to skip a song ar change the station, you have to:
A:Have a friend switch it, if theres a friend with you.
B:Pull over and switch it
C:Suffer through the pain of crappy music or commercials.
Therefore, I will cut my dashboard.

One word: Remote

[blazerparts]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

One word: Remote

bingo