Help with dash hacking and new paint - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pat · 11-28-2005, 01:22 AM

I screwed up and had my cab painted before I cut the dash for a stereo. Whats the best way for me to make a new cd player fit without messing up the paint, burning it, or anything else. I figured a cut off wheel would burn up the paint. Maybe some kind of tin snips tool?
What did you all do to make yours fit. Do I need to weld in the bracket or will the tabs on the deck be enough to support it?

72MARIO · 11-28-2005, 02:19 AM

A sawzall or a hand hack saw wouldwork oky I think. Tin snips would tend to curl the metal..... If you took it slow and cut release cuts you could use tin snips with out distorting the dash. You might want to invest in a set of green coloured handle snips they are a left cut. When you cut the dash try and cut along the top straight the measure down and cut along the bottom. Other wise you will see a small gap above the deck.

Good Luck.

72MARIO · 11-28-2005, 02:21 AM

Is it my eyes or is that hole really tall like bigger than stock?

And about the cage for the deck. All I did was bend the tabs out that seems to be working fine for me.

roj2323 · 11-28-2005, 02:28 AM

rumor has it that a cd player will fit in the stock hole for the heater control and a heater control out of a late 50's chevy will fit in the radio hole. i haven't done this myself but i heard it somewhere. it would be worth a try anyway.

nice color choice BTW.
ondrew

**Palf70Step** · 11-28-2005, 09:07 AM

Line it out in pencil, then put masking tape around where you cut. A dremel with cutoff wheels does a great job. IT gives you more control and doesn't heat up the area as much. You'll use a few cut-off wheels, but it is worth it. The tape is for when you ooops (and I do too much) and seems to help with it not scrating around the edges as much.

The din insert will support it OK, but I'd recommend the rear brace on the head unit.

**CPNE** · 11-28-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat

I screwed up ...

No, you haven't screwed it up...yet

It's a sign that you probably ought to rethink this particular mod

pat · 11-28-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPNE

No, you haven't screwed it up...yet

It's a sign that you probably ought to rethink this particular mod

I thought u might chime in

Good ideas, I forgot all about my Dremel tool, and I have dozens of wheels left.
What is the rear brace? this come with the head unit, or do I need to find one? Otherwise Ill just use the tabs.

72Mario, I dont think the hole is anything but stock.

72MARIO · 11-28-2005, 11:15 AM

Delete Plate anyone ?

Mudder · 11-28-2005, 12:29 PM

Wear saftey glasses when you cut...........

pat · 11-28-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudder67

Wear saftey glasses when you cut...........

I learned to wear safety glasses after a mishap with carburetor cleaner. Ouch

**Palf70Step** · 11-28-2005, 01:47 PM

Most decks come with a little metal strap about 6-8 inches long and a stud on the back of the head unit. Just run the strap from there to the firewall or dash.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 11-28-2005, 09:27 PM

You could go with a delete plate and the din in the glove box or you could do as the pics below show..

Longhorn Man · 11-28-2005, 10:05 PM

I used a hack saw blade helb by a pair of vice grips.
It DOES look like your hole is already hacked... looks twice as tall as it should be, if so.... you'll have problems.

kelsfine69 · 11-28-2005, 10:14 PM

Dont Hack it ...Do this

Longhorn Man · 11-28-2005, 10:20 PM

hack it... it's just an old truck, and you'll never want to go back to a booring AM static sounding radio again anyways. AM sucks.. it's a fact of life.
Besides, it's just metal.

kelsfine69 · 11-28-2005, 10:32 PM

That truck looks too nice to Cut up, besides why advertise just so some kid can steal it

pat · 11-28-2005, 11:20 PM

The decision to hack has already been made, nothing will change my mind about that.
I thought my dash was original still, but after looking at the before paint pic of my cab, looks like it was cut. My truck isnt with me so I cant check. But heres the cab before paint. Hopefully the hole wasnt cut too big.

Longhorn Man · 11-29-2005, 01:13 AM

way too big. The opening should be 2/3 that tall.

724wdcopper · 11-29-2005, 01:27 AM

all is not lost... a filler panel (backer if you will) can be fashioned ( i used aluminum ) to occupy the entire radio area and cut out what you need. i used automotive double sided tape to attach it. worked like a charm. btw, my hole was not too big, but you could see the knob indents, and i didnt like that...

11-28-2005, 01:22 AM	#1
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Help with dash hacking and new paint I screwed up and had my cab painted before I cut the dash for a stereo. Whats the best way for me to make a new cd player fit without messing up the paint, burning it, or anything else. I figured a cut off wheel would burn up the paint. Maybe some kind of tin snips tool? What did you all do to make yours fit. Do I need to weld in the bracket or will the tabs on the deck be enough to support it? __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

11-28-2005, 02:19 AM	#2
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint A sawzall or a hand hack saw wouldwork oky I think. Tin snips would tend to curl the metal..... If you took it slow and cut release cuts you could use tin snips with out distorting the dash. You might want to invest in a set of green coloured handle snips they are a left cut. When you cut the dash try and cut along the top straight the measure down and cut along the bottom. Other wise you will see a small gap above the deck. Good Luck. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-28-2005, 02:21 AM	#3
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint Is it my eyes or is that hole really tall like bigger than stock? And about the cage for the deck. All I did was bend the tabs out that seems to be working fine for me. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-28-2005, 02:28 AM	#4
roj2323 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 985	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint rumor has it that a cd player will fit in the stock hole for the heater control and a heater control out of a late 50's chevy will fit in the radio hole. i haven't done this myself but i heard it somewhere. it would be worth a try anyway. nice color choice BTW. ondrew

11-28-2005, 09:07 AM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,322	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint Line it out in pencil, then put masking tape around where you cut. A dremel with cutoff wheels does a great job. IT gives you more control and doesn't heat up the area as much. You'll use a few cut-off wheels, but it is worth it. The tape is for when you ooops (and I do too much) and seems to help with it not scrating around the edges as much. The din insert will support it OK, but I'd recommend the rear brace on the head unit. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 11-28-2005 at 09:09 AM.

11-28-2005, 11:15 AM	#8
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint Delete Plate anyone ? __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-28-2005, 12:29 PM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint Wear saftey glasses when you cut...........

11-28-2005, 01:47 PM	#11
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,322	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint Most decks come with a little metal strap about 6-8 inches long and a stud on the back of the head unit. Just run the strap from there to the firewall or dash. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-28-2005, 09:27 PM	#12
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint You could go with a delete plate and the din in the glove box or you could do as the pics below show.. Attached Images __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

11-28-2005, 10:05 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint I used a hack saw blade helb by a pair of vice grips. It DOES look like your hole is already hacked... looks twice as tall as it should be, if so.... you'll have problems.

11-28-2005, 10:14 PM	#14
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint Dont Hack it ...Do this __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home... Last edited by kelsfine69; 01-14-2006 at 05:05 PM.

11-28-2005, 10:20 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint hack it... it's just an old truck, and you'll never want to go back to a booring AM static sounding radio again anyways. AM sucks.. it's a fact of life. Besides, it's just metal.

11-28-2005, 10:32 PM	#16
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint That truck looks too nice to Cut up, besides why advertise just so some kid can steal it __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

11-28-2005, 11:20 PM	#17
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint The decision to hack has already been made, nothing will change my mind about that. I thought my dash was original still, but after looking at the before paint pic of my cab, looks like it was cut. My truck isnt with me so I cant check. But heres the cab before paint. Hopefully the hole wasnt cut too big. __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

11-29-2005, 01:13 AM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint way too big. The opening should be 2/3 that tall.



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11-29-2005, 01:27 AM	#19
724wdcopper graphic designer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 841	Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint all is not lost... a filler panel (backer if you will) can be fashioned ( i used aluminum ) to occupy the entire radio area and cut out what you need. i used automotive double sided tape to attach it. worked like a charm. btw, my hole was not too big, but you could see the knob indents, and i didnt like that...

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