Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

I screwed up and had my cab painted before I cut the dash for a stereo. Whats the best way for me to make a new cd player fit without messing up the paint, burning it, or anything else. I figured a cut off wheel would burn up the paint. Maybe some kind of tin snips tool?
What did you all do to make yours fit. Do I need to weld in the bracket or will the tabs on the deck be enough to support it?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/f148e5cf.jpg

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

A sawzall or a hand hack saw wouldwork oky I think. Tin snips would tend to curl the metal..... If you took it slow and cut release cuts you could use tin snips with out distorting the dash. You might want to invest in a set of green coloured handle snips they are a left cut. When you cut the dash try and cut along the top straight the measure down and cut along the bottom. Other wise you will see a small gap above the deck.

Good Luck.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

Is it my eyes or is that hole really tall like bigger than stock?

And about the cage for the deck. All I did was bend the tabs out that seems to be working fine for me.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

rumor has it that a cd player will fit in the stock hole for the heater control and a heater control out of a late 50's chevy will fit in the radio hole. i haven't done this myself but i heard it somewhere. it would be worth a try anyway.

nice color choice BTW.
ondrew

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

Line it out in pencil, then put masking tape around where you cut. A dremel with cutoff wheels does a great job. IT gives you more control and doesn't heat up the area as much. You'll use a few cut-off wheels, but it is worth it. The tape is for when you ooops (and I do too much) and seems to help with it not scrating around the edges as much.

The din insert will support it OK, but I'd recommend the rear brace on the head unit.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

No, you haven't screwed it up...yet;)

It's a sign that you probably ought to rethink this particular mod :hm:

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

Delete Plate anyone ?

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

Wear saftey glasses when you cut...........

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

I thought u might chime in;)

Good ideas, I forgot all about my Dremel tool, and I have dozens of wheels left.
What is the rear brace? this come with the head unit, or do I need to find one? Otherwise Ill just use the tabs.

72Mario, I dont think the hole is anything but stock.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

I learned to wear safety glasses after a mishap with carburetor cleaner. Ouch

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

Most decks come with a little metal strap about 6-8 inches long and a stud on the back of the head unit. Just run the strap from there to the firewall or dash.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

You could go with a delete plate and the din in the glove box or you could do as the pics below show..

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

I used a hack saw blade helb by a pair of vice grips.
It DOES look like your hole is already hacked... looks twice as tall as it should be, if so.... you'll have problems.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

Dont Hack it ...Do this

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

hack it... it's just an old truck, and you'll never want to go back to a booring AM static sounding radio again anyways. AM sucks.. it's a fact of life.
Besides, it's just metal.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

That truck looks too nice to Cut up, besides why advertise just so some kid can steal it:confused:

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

The decision to hack has already been made, nothing will change my mind about that.
I thought my dash was original still, but after looking at the before paint pic of my cab, looks like it was cut. My truck isnt with me so I cant check. But heres the cab before paint. Hopefully the hole wasnt cut too big.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...c/f144dd9d.jpg

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

way too big. The opening should be 2/3 that tall.

Re: Help with dash hacking and new paint
 

all is not lost... a filler panel (backer if you will) can be fashioned ( i used aluminum ) to occupy the entire radio area and cut out what you need. i used automotive double sided tape to attach it. worked like a charm. btw, my hole was not too big, but you could see the knob indents, and i didnt like that...