cutting the dash

[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.