my Radio patch without welding - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**dutchmanz** · 04-15-2020, 04:58 PM

Since I've owned my K5, the hack job radio hole and Pioneer CD played have always made me cringe. I may have turned the radio on 4 times in as many years. I'd rather enjoy the ride without the added noise. I've had a patch panel for several years now but could never bring myself to cut up more of the factory dash. I came up with another plan yesterday after sitting home for the last few weeks!

I just trimmed the patch panel, drilled some holes, primed and painted (rattle can) and bolted it in place with some stainless bolts. The old AM radio I had was DOA so I trimmed most of it away and cleaned up the rest. I'm very happy with the results. Its not perfect but neither is the Blazer.

**Thealien** · 04-15-2020, 05:16 PM

All things considered, nice job!

Southcity · 04-15-2020, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thealien

All things considered, nice job!

Agreed, it fits the truck and no one else will have anything like it.

orangek5 · 04-16-2020, 03:16 PM

I'm kind of surprised nobody has done this yet. Nice job!

tinydb84 · 04-16-2020, 03:25 PM

The patch looks good. I would change the screws to rivets or something like a button head to clean up the look.

Southcity · 04-16-2020, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydb84

The patch looks good. I would change the screws to rivets or something like a button head to clean up the look.

This is an option too. I think the current look fits though, it's utilitarian, rugged and this is a truck after all.

**dutchmanz** · 04-17-2020, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydb84

The patch looks good. I would change the screws to rivets or something like a button head to clean up the look.

I considered rivets but wanted to make sure it pulled up evenly and tight. Rivets don’t always do that. These are button head machine screws. I didn’t use Allen head because they looked too new.

richards72chevy · 04-17-2020, 07:05 AM

I would've never thought about doing that.It Looks good.

**A1971Blazer** · 04-17-2020, 07:45 AM

perhaps some automotive panel adhesive would hold without screws?
It's widely used on body panels now days

68panelman · 04-17-2020, 08:21 AM

Looks great, a nice no nonsense patch.

**wesmigletz** · 04-18-2020, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

perhaps some automotive panel adhesive would hold without screws?
It's widely used on body panels now days

It's a good looking repair. I had thought about the panel adhesive, too

**dutchmanz** · 04-18-2020, 01:44 PM

I know panel adhesive has come a long way as far as strengthen goes but it’s not usually cheap for the good stuff. This was less than $2 for screws. I’m happy with it for now. If I ever get to a point I restore or repaint it I’ll fix it with a weld in panel. My Blazer is unrestored and original paint.

68panelman · 04-18-2020, 01:48 PM

You did the right thing, these radios are pretty hefty and would think the tape wouldn't last long in bumpy off road conditions

**dutchmanz** · 04-18-2020, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68panelman

You did the right thing, these radios are pretty hefty and would think the tape wouldn't last long in bumpy off road conditions

Thank you. Exactly what I was thinking. Heck, half of our roads feel like off road conditions!

Killer Bee · 04-18-2020, 04:25 PM

that's a great idea! as far as the weight, make sure the rear bracket is installed correctly..

I had to cover a butcher job up with the din adapter from brothers and went with the radio that was in there..

only thing I can think of to clean up the fasteners would be welded studs since you had to paint anyways..

looks great as is tho, thank you for posting!

04-15-2020, 04:58 PM	#1
dutchmanz Knuckle Buster, Instructor Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pantego, NC Posts: 562	my Radio patch without welding Since I've owned my K5, the hack job radio hole and Pioneer CD played have always made me cringe. I may have turned the radio on 4 times in as many years. I'd rather enjoy the ride without the added noise. I've had a patch panel for several years now but could never bring myself to cut up more of the factory dash. I came up with another plan yesterday after sitting home for the last few weeks! I just trimmed the patch panel, drilled some holes, primed and painted (rattle can) and bolted it in place with some stainless bolts. The old AM radio I had was DOA so I trimmed most of it away and cleaned up the rest. I'm very happy with the results. Its not perfect but neither is the Blazer. Attached Images __________________ Current classic fleet: 72 K5 Blazer CST, unrestored factory Orange paint...mostly 69 C10 factory SWB, 454, TH400, Saddle tan, Rust-o-ration 53 Studebaker M35 w/331 Reo gas I-6, Air Force Strata Blue

04-15-2020, 05:16 PM	#2
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,135	Re: my Radio patch without welding All things considered, nice job! __________________ Click on my Not really a build thread, yet NOT SO RUST FREE RUST FREE BLAZER LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD BOLT RESTORATIONS 4l60 to an NP205

04-16-2020, 03:16 PM	#4
orangek5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rose Hill Ks Posts: 290	Re: my Radio patch without welding I'm kind of surprised nobody has done this yet. Nice job! __________________ 1970 Jimmy 4x4 IL6 1971 Jimmy 4x4 350ci v8 1971 SWB 327ci v8 1972 Short Stepside 305ci v8 1972 Blazer 2WD CST LS9 350ci 4sp 1999 4 Door LB 1 Ton Old Body Style 5.7 v8

04-16-2020, 03:25 PM	#5
tinydb84 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 2,871	Re: my Radio patch without welding The patch looks good. I would change the screws to rivets or something like a button head to clean up the look. __________________ David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy

04-17-2020, 07:05 AM	#8
richards72chevy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: konawa ok/oakdale Ca. Posts: 1,652	Re: my Radio patch without welding I would've never thought about doing that.It Looks good.

04-17-2020, 07:45 AM	#9
A1971Blazer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 2,199	Re: my Radio patch without welding perhaps some automotive panel adhesive would hold without screws? It's widely used on body panels now days __________________ 1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer .............

04-17-2020, 08:21 AM	#10
68panelman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Delaware and Long Island, New York Posts: 3,456	Re: my Radio patch without welding Looks great, a nice no nonsense patch.

04-18-2020, 01:44 PM	#12
dutchmanz Knuckle Buster, Instructor Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pantego, NC Posts: 562	Re: my Radio patch without welding I know panel adhesive has come a long way as far as strengthen goes but it’s not usually cheap for the good stuff. This was less than $2 for screws. I’m happy with it for now. If I ever get to a point I restore or repaint it I’ll fix it with a weld in panel. My Blazer is unrestored and original paint. __________________ Current classic fleet: 72 K5 Blazer CST, unrestored factory Orange paint...mostly 69 C10 factory SWB, 454, TH400, Saddle tan, Rust-o-ration 53 Studebaker M35 w/331 Reo gas I-6, Air Force Strata Blue

04-18-2020, 01:48 PM	#13
68panelman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Delaware and Long Island, New York Posts: 3,456	Re: my Radio patch without welding You did the right thing, these radios are pretty hefty and would think the tape wouldn't last long in bumpy off road conditions

04-18-2020, 04:25 PM	#15
Killer Bee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Barber City, CA Posts: 4,809	Re: my Radio patch without welding that's a great idea! as far as the weight, make sure the rear bracket is installed correctly.. I had to cover a butcher job up with the din adapter from brothers and went with the radio that was in there.. only thing I can think of to clean up the fasteners would be welded studs since you had to paint anyways.. looks great as is tho, thank you for posting! __________________ *I started out with nothing - and I still have most of it*



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