Swiss cheese radio cut out - need ideas

[GMC-YA68]

The moron I bought my truck from had an 8 track in this thing, however it was cut long before he had it. I plan to run a CD player but should I just keep something like this same setup with the bezel? A radio delete falls thru this like its a black hole. A double DIN I don't think would fit between the AC and ash tray. I do not want to weld a new dash in at this time either....

Go ahead, start the chainsaw jokes.....lol

[GMC-YA68]

The "hole"

[Warrens69GMC]

Why not just weld a patch panel?

[Custom/Ten]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Why not just weld a patch panel?

X2 I'm just curious what your reason is cause that things hacked up pretty bad to fix any other way. Could maybe improve the look a little by replacing the wood trim with a trim plate you make yourself from a patch panel but I don't really think you have any good options here due to the size of that hole. Maybe someone will have a better idea.

[Custom/Ten]

Also feel I gotta mention calling the guy a moron for rockin the 8-track is not really a classy move bro. Couldn't stop myself. Good luck with your dash!

[Jonlopes]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Why not just weld a patch panel?

x3 you can either weld a patch panel or fab up something completely new. There is not much you can do with that hole otherwise.

[57larry]

have someone weld a new patch panel in for you

[leftybass209]

Originally Posted by Custom/Ten

Also feel I gotta mention calling the guy a moron for rockin the 8-track is not really a classy move bro. Couldn't stop myself. Good luck with your dash!

I agree. The only correct option is a patch panel welded in. Anything else is sandwiched pieces of plastic or metal. If you thought the 8-track was a bad idea.....

[boraxman]

If all else fails I have a Realistic 8Track you can fill that hole with...I will even throw in a Eagles tape/

[cigar-]

I'd scout around for an old really rusty truck and cut out the patch panel from a decent dash. If you can weld half way, set it in and let her rip. That way you go back to stock ('cept for ruining the paint) and can install a stock radio or one that fits into the stock opening.

That's what I'd do.......but I'm half crazy and the other half is stoopid!!

[old Chevy guy]

Get a piece of 1/8 '' aluminum like they make road signs out of ( you can pick it up all over the place on the sides of roads, lol) and make a panel you can mount a newer radio in for now and polish it up or paint it , just do a good job and let people think you did it on purpose. fix it right ,patch or change dash later when your ready.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by Custom/Ten

Also feel I gotta mention calling the guy a moron for rockin the 8-track is not really a classy move bro. Couldn't stop myself. Good luck with your dash!

I have an 8-track in mine that my dad put in after he bought the truck new. If you'd like to call us that or anything like that to our faces, we could arrange a meeting. *You might want to put your affairs in order beforehand though.



The 8 track may have been put in when 8 tracks were the rage, such as in the case of my truck. My dad went to a junkyard and found an 8 track AM/FM radio and replaced the original AM radio sometime in the 70's or early 80's. I still have a bag full of 8 tracks and I had some cool tapes back when I drove the truck in the early 90's. I'm not huge on music anyway so putting in a CD player or something isn't high on my list. The dash was not cut as dad found a unit the same size as the AM radio it came with.

If I had a gaping hole like yours I'd hire someone to weld that back up to original size and then find like an original radio-looking MP3 player to go back. Granted I don't own an MP 3 player myself but that seems like a good option.

[GMC-YA68]

For the record I didn't say (or at least didn't mean it to say) he was a moron for the simple fact of having an 8 track. However he was a moron in general......

[GMC-YA68]

Originally Posted by boraxman

If all else fails I have a Realistic 8Track you can fill that hole with...I will even throw in a Eagles tape/

That's what was it in it!!! And I have a whole case of tracks including the Eagles!

[Tim Christian]

http://www.keypartsonline.com/68-72-radio-repair-panel/

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by Tim Christian

http://www.keypartsonline.com/68-72-radio-repair-panel/

OP needs one with a/c

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by GMC-YA68

For the record I didn't say (or at least didn't mean it to say) he was a moron for the simple fact of having an 8 track. However he was a moron in general......

Then why did you buy his truck?

Most of what bothers me about my truck's previous owner (dad) was what he didn't do.....he didn't have the rust properly fixed....he just sent it to a bondo happy guy that didn't know how to use masking tape during painting! LOL

[swamp rat]

Find a stock dash repair panel like they sell them here in the parts thread, if ya cut them right all the weld needed is pretty small 4 places onlyand not in the face of the radio panel, wide enough to be welded at the bezel and glove box.

[cherokeejohn]

General Motors ( AC Delco ) used a special radio size in alott of their vehicles from the mid 80s up to I know 2000. In the Crutchfield catalog it is called a size "CG". Only a few aftermarket company's make the upgraded models, also found on the Crutchfield website. Try measuring the size of your hole and if you will, post it up. I have a few old ones at my shop and I'll take a measurement tomorrow also. Maybe? cant hurt to check!

[cherokeejohn]

Other Ideas ??? Not to fond of the last pic, but You could use a diff material maybe

[Fitz]

As an alternate try some 18 Ga cold rolled. A little shaping, a little welding and if that was done well, very little metal work before paint!