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.

[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

[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.

[william 70 c/20]

Originally Posted by 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.

that's funny and ugly ..sorry dude.. .that's really funny though.. .if that isn't the worst job ANYONE's ever done... when i get rid of my other dash you got first dibs..i'll give it to ya..

[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.

[chevymaz]

Originally Posted by 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.

Here is a pic of what it looks like now with the trim piece removed. I tried to only cut what I absolutely had to. You can still see where the original knobs were located on each side of the stereo.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[FRENCHBLUE72]

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

[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

[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.

[BigMike]

Originally Posted by Billla

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

It's in my sig, but here it is anyways...I will update it sometime soon with pics of the painted firewall.

My Truck Progress

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

[shifty]

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

[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.