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.

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

All things considered, nice job!

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

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.

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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.

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

Looks great, a nice no nonsense patch.

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

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.

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

Re: my Radio patch without welding
 

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

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!