Stereo Installation Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sider68 · 06-04-2003, 08:42 AM

What is the best for cutting the dash to install C D player?I didn,t want to go this route but my son shows up with his buddy and wired the system together but did not want to cut up dash and left me with the task

Gibble · 06-04-2003, 09:30 AM

Probably a jig saw with a proper blade, or a good cutting disc, barring that you can use a drill, then file/grind the hole smooth

PHOENIX · 06-04-2003, 09:34 AM

If you have either of these air tools, you could use them for a fast, easy, and very clean cut:

If you do not have access to these tools, then I would recommend using something like this:

You may also want to use a drill to get some starter holes on the vertical cuts. Or you could cut both top and bottom, then bend the side inward (not as clean, but works and not visible after installation).

Whatever cutting tool you choose to use make sure the blade is for cutting thin steel. Using the wrong blade could make it harder to cut and the cut would not be as clean, possibly nasty.

cochino12 · 06-04-2003, 09:39 AM

I would recommend the airsaw, it's a much cleaner cut

79BIG10 · 06-04-2003, 10:36 AM

A dremel tool with a cut off wheel works great. Small and fast to use.

sider68 · 06-04-2003, 02:06 PM

Thanks again,great tips.

**swervin ervin** · 06-04-2003, 04:12 PM

A Rotozip with a metal cutting bit in it is a great tool for this.

Russell · 06-04-2003, 05:50 PM

We wanted to install a temperature gauge in the 80 suburban as the stock one was removed and replaced with a tachometer years before. (it was an ambulance, only had 2 000 kilometers on it, was stored indoors and was maintained very well. It ran perfectly and was in complete mint condition, at least until we sold it to my uncle, my truck is in better shape now, a terrible waste of a truck...) Since we still wanted the tachometer, we just used a soldering iron to melt through the plastic dash and install the new temperature gauge, it looked totally factory installed and very clean. We needed the temperature gauge as we used it as a hauling vehicle, and it overheated on us once...

06-04-2003, 08:42 AM	#1
sider68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: newmarket,ontario,canada Posts: 936	Stereo Installation Help What is the best for cutting the dash to install C D player?I didn,t want to go this route but my son shows up with his buddy and wired the system together but did not want to cut up dash and left me with the task

06-04-2003, 09:34 AM	#3
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	If you have either of these air tools, you could use them for a fast, easy, and very clean cut: If you do not have access to these tools, then I would recommend using something like this: You may also want to use a drill to get some starter holes on the vertical cuts. Or you could cut both top and bottom, then bend the side inward (not as clean, but works and not visible after installation). Whatever cutting tool you choose to use make sure the blade is for cutting thin steel. Using the wrong blade could make it harder to cut and the cut would not be as clean, possibly nasty. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION * Last edited by PHOENIX; 06-04-2003 at 09:37 AM.

06-04-2003, 09:39 AM	#4
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	I would recommend the airsaw, it's a much cleaner cut __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

06-04-2003, 10:36 AM	#5
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	A dremel tool with a cut off wheel works great. Small and fast to use. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-04-2003, 04:12 PM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	A Rotozip with a metal cutting bit in it is a great tool for this. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

06-04-2003, 09:30 AM	#2
Gibble mmmm....Rye and Coke Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: MB, Canada Posts: 485	Probably a jig saw with a proper blade, or a good cutting disc, barring that you can use a drill, then file/grind the hole smooth

06-04-2003, 02:06 PM	#6
sider68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: newmarket,ontario,canada Posts: 936	Thanks again,great tips.

06-04-2003, 05:50 PM	#8
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	We wanted to install a temperature gauge in the 80 suburban as the stock one was removed and replaced with a tachometer years before. (it was an ambulance, only had 2 000 kilometers on it, was stored indoors and was maintained very well. It ran perfectly and was in complete mint condition, at least until we sold it to my uncle, my truck is in better shape now, a terrible waste of a truck...) Since we still wanted the tachometer, we just used a soldering iron to melt through the plastic dash and install the new temperature gauge, it looked totally factory installed and very clean. We needed the temperature gauge as we used it as a hauling vehicle, and it overheated on us once... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

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