radio install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

clemson71guy · 11-12-2007, 06:37 PM

well i got my radio today and i havent cut my dash yet but i dont see anyway for it to stay in place.
Is there sopposed to be a mounting kit for it or what?

68gmsee · 11-12-2007, 06:49 PM

Dude, don't cut your dash! If it's stock and hasn't been butchered yet, please find you another place to mount your radio if it doesn't fit. You wont regret it.

Maybe manufacture a mounting bracket that you can bolt up to the existing a/c control mounting screws. Some guys are even using the glove compartment.

I've seen several nice trucks that have a big nasty hole where some previous owner cut it up to mount a stereo.

clemson71guy · 11-12-2007, 06:51 PM

i dont plan on butchering it, my dad cuts and welds stuff for a living so it will be a neat and nice job and i plan on saving the peices that are cut out so if i ever sell it can be put back in.

1971ChevyTruck · 11-12-2007, 06:59 PM

I just bought a aftermarket tape player with all the bells and whistles of a cd player--cd controls you name it--not cheap at all but well worth saving the dash.

68gmsee · 11-12-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clemson71guy

i dont plan on butchering it, my dad cuts and welds stuff for a living so it will be a neat and nice job and i plan on saving the peices that are cut out so if i ever sell it can be put back in.

clemson71guy, don't get me wrong... I didn't say you were going to butcher it... I did say that I've seen some that have been butchered, though. Even a nice job of cutting will diminish the value for some future prospective buyer.

Now, if you're going to change the truck from stock anyway, I guess some minor cutting wouldn't make any difference at this time. Good luck...

71tahoe · 11-12-2007, 07:51 PM

The factory radio hole is too tall for a DIN sized radio and the shaft holes are too large widthwise. You will have a gap at the top or bottom and 2 crescents on each end if you cut the dash to exactly fit the sleeve. To get a clean install you should probably patch it before you cut it. Then you could put it back to stock and it wouldn't look hacked.

The tabs will hold the flange on the sleeve tight against the face of the dash if the hole you cut is just barely big enough to slide it in.

ccd3 · 11-12-2007, 08:18 PM

Seriously- cut the dash if you want. So many people fuss about cutting the dash- but then they turn-around and C-notch the frame or put 20's on all fours. I love my truck- but it's not a priceless piece of art. Feel free to do whatever you see fit for YOUR vehicle.

That said- I didn't cut my dash for a radio- I bought one of the "classic" radio CD's. Why? Because I don;t have the skills to do a quality job on the dash... and my truck is too loud for a nice sound system anyway.

clemson71guy · 11-12-2007, 08:41 PM

the dash was getting cut no matter what i just dident know what held the radio in. and the thing that goes around the faceplate will fit perfect with no gap.
so if i got it right just bend the tabs back and it will hold it and maybe get a support strap for the back.

HomerJ · 11-13-2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccd3

Seriously- cut the dash if you want. So many people fuss about cutting the dash- but then they turn-around and C-notch the frame or put 20's on all fours. I love my truck- but it's not a priceless piece of art. Feel free to do whatever you see fit for YOUR vehicle.

That said- I didn't cut my dash for a radio- I bought one of the "classic" radio CD's. Why? Because I don;t have the skills to do a quality job on the dash... and my truck is too loud for a nice sound system anyway.

My point of view, exactly.

HomerJ

corn · 11-12-2007, 07:03 PM

All you have to do is remove the head unit from the sleeve. Then once the hole is cut, you slide the sleeve into the hole & bend over as many of the tabs as you can. Then slide the unit back into the sleeve. I recommend a support strap on the back of it too.

Here are the tabs that need to be bent over...

clemson71guy · 11-12-2007, 07:10 PM

corn thanks, that what i was thinking but i just dont see what the tabs would hold onto to hold it up..

clemson71guy · 11-12-2007, 07:14 PM

68gmsee, yeah i get what your saying. and i have seen some messed up dashes to, but i will never sell this truck anyways (i hope) lol

boogie67 · 11-12-2007, 07:15 PM

Cut It dude!!You won't regret it

shifty · 11-12-2007, 07:47 PM

Just cut the damned dash and keep the panel in case you need to weld it back in later.

People make such a big deal about the dash - it's overhyped. It's reactionary.

Moreover, it's your damn truck.

Do whatever you damned well please with it!

(damn, that's a lot of damns!!)

Longhorn Man · 11-12-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

Just cut the damned dash and keep the panel in case you need to weld it back in later.

People make such a big deal about the dash - it's overhyped. It's reactionary.

Moreover, it's your damn truck.

Do whatever you damned well please with it!

(damn, that's a lot of damns!!)

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The tabs will do a fiine job of holding it.

For the record, of the 4 trucks I've had, I wrecked one before I had the chance to 'hack' the dash... 'hacked' 2 dashes... and haven't had the chance to 'hack' the 4th one.
I never for a single moment... regretted 'hacking' any of them.
so

on the cut or don't cut thread jacking and drama. Do it... don't do it... it's your truck.

djracer · 11-13-2007, 10:41 AM

their isn't a kit except for a small 1/4 inch trim ring. If its cut properly you won't have any gaps. You will see the indentions for the shafts on each side unless you get the trim ring. If you guys need these I can sell these for about 3.00 each shipped!

clemson71guy · 11-13-2007, 12:25 PM

by trim ring i guss u mean this:

and were goin to cut the dash today and see how it fits.
ill put pictures of it on here after.

djracer · 11-13-2007, 02:31 PM

no that is the radio trim ring. the ring I'm talking about goes behind the cage to coverup what that doesn't.

corn · 11-13-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djracer

no that is the radio trim ring. the ring I'm talking about goes behind the cage to coverup what that doesn't.

Those are nice! I recommend that for these trucks. It seems like they all show a very small area of "knob hole" when finished. I didnt know those were available...

clemson71guy · 12-12-2007, 08:51 PM

ok it took awhile but we finally done it
and we made a plate out of stainless steel

OLDIRON69 · 12-14-2007, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clemson71guy

ok it took awhile but we finally done it
and we made a plate out of stainless steel

Heck, that looks good! Wanna make another and a few bucks to boot? I would love to have one of those in my truck

clemson71guy · 11-13-2007, 02:35 PM

oh ok gotcha
thanks for the help

**Boog** · 11-13-2007, 02:43 PM

Kevin. That looks good. I'd go for that.

ChevLoRay · 11-13-2007, 03:07 PM

You won't get a DIN-sized radio in the dash of these trucks without cutting the dash.

I used a Dremel tool to cut the dash on my son's '69, back in '99. When I sold the truck in '01, even without a radio, there was nothing said about the hole. It was a clean hole, thanks to a steady hand and the Dremel tool. I used the sleeve for a pattern, and saved the pieces, although they were small.

As for me, the Kenwood 801 seems to be headed for my truck.

68gmsee · 11-13-2007, 02:37 PM

Don't mean to start any cut or not cut wars on here but clemson71guy asked for an opinion and I gave it. I don't judge and I don't flame anyone for doing what they want to do.

Looks like everyone seems to have an opinion and mine is to not cut the dash if it's stock. It is one of the most visible parts of the vehicle other than the outside.

What he does is his prerogative. What anyone does with their vehicle is also their prerogative.

I leave mine uncut but I'm also a lot older than most of you guys out there. In my younger years I did my share of modifying cars- like cutting up a perfectly good 56 Mercury two door hardtop in 1972 to make a beach buggy...

11-12-2007, 06:37 PM	#1
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	radio install well i got my radio today and i havent cut my dash yet but i dont see anyway for it to stay in place. Is there sopposed to be a mounting kit for it or what? Attached Images

11-12-2007, 06:49 PM	#2
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: radio install Dude, don't cut your dash! If it's stock and hasn't been butchered yet, please find you another place to mount your radio if it doesn't fit. You wont regret it. Maybe manufacture a mounting bracket that you can bolt up to the existing a/c control mounting screws. Some guys are even using the glove compartment. I've seen several nice trucks that have a big nasty hole where some previous owner cut it up to mount a stereo.

11-12-2007, 06:51 PM	#3
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install i dont plan on butchering it, my dad cuts and welds stuff for a living so it will be a neat and nice job and i plan on saving the peices that are cut out so if i ever sell it can be put back in.

11-12-2007, 06:59 PM	#4
1971ChevyTruck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,006	Re: radio install I just bought a aftermarket tape player with all the bells and whistles of a cd player--cd controls you name it--not cheap at all but well worth saving the dash.

11-12-2007, 07:51 PM	#6
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: radio install The factory radio hole is too tall for a DIN sized radio and the shaft holes are too large widthwise. You will have a gap at the top or bottom and 2 crescents on each end if you cut the dash to exactly fit the sleeve. To get a clean install you should probably patch it before you cut it. Then you could put it back to stock and it wouldn't look hacked. The tabs will hold the flange on the sleeve tight against the face of the dash if the hole you cut is just barely big enough to slide it in.

11-12-2007, 08:18 PM	#7
ccd3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 93	Re: radio install Seriously- cut the dash if you want. So many people fuss about cutting the dash- but then they turn-around and C-notch the frame or put 20's on all fours. I love my truck- but it's not a priceless piece of art. Feel free to do whatever you see fit for YOUR vehicle. That said- I didn't cut my dash for a radio- I bought one of the "classic" radio CD's. Why? Because I don;t have the skills to do a quality job on the dash... and my truck is too loud for a nice sound system anyway.

11-12-2007, 08:41 PM	#8
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install the dash was getting cut no matter what i just dident know what held the radio in. and the thing that goes around the faceplate will fit perfect with no gap. so if i got it right just bend the tabs back and it will hold it and maybe get a support strap for the back.

11-12-2007, 07:03 PM	#10
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: radio install All you have to do is remove the head unit from the sleeve. Then once the hole is cut, you slide the sleeve into the hole & bend over as many of the tabs as you can. Then slide the unit back into the sleeve. I recommend a support strap on the back of it too. Here are the tabs that need to be bent over... Last edited by corn; 10-10-2009 at 12:17 PM.

11-12-2007, 07:10 PM	#11
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install corn thanks, that what i was thinking but i just dont see what the tabs would hold onto to hold it up..

11-12-2007, 07:14 PM	#12
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install 68gmsee, yeah i get what your saying. and i have seen some messed up dashes to, but i will never sell this truck anyways (i hope) lol

11-12-2007, 07:15 PM	#13
boogie67 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: waco tx Posts: 584	Re: radio install Cut It dude!!You won't regret it __________________ 77 swb starting all over again.

11-12-2007, 07:47 PM	#14
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: radio install Just cut the damned dash and keep the panel in case you need to weld it back in later. People make such a big deal about the dash - it's overhyped. It's reactionary. Moreover, it's your damn truck. Do whatever you damned well please with it! (damn, that's a lot of damns!!) __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM. Last edited by shifty; 11-12-2007 at 07:47 PM.

11-13-2007, 10:41 AM	#16
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	Re: radio install their isn't a kit except for a small 1/4 inch trim ring. If its cut properly you won't have any gaps. You will see the indentions for the shafts on each side unless you get the trim ring. If you guys need these I can sell these for about 3.00 each shipped! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole! Last edited by djracer; 11-13-2007 at 10:42 AM.

11-13-2007, 12:25 PM	#17
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install by trim ring i guss u mean this: and were goin to cut the dash today and see how it fits. ill put pictures of it on here after. Attached Images

11-13-2007, 02:31 PM	#18
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	Re: radio install no that is the radio trim ring. the ring I'm talking about goes behind the cage to coverup what that doesn't. Attached Images __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!



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12-12-2007, 08:51 PM	#20
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install ok it took awhile but we finally done it and we made a plate out of stainless steel Attached Images Last edited by clemson71guy; 12-12-2007 at 08:51 PM.

11-13-2007, 02:35 PM	#22
clemson71guy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 470	Re: radio install oh ok gotcha thanks for the help

11-13-2007, 02:43 PM	#23
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,536	Re: radio install Kevin. That looks good. I'd go for that. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-13-2007, 03:07 PM	#24
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: radio install You won't get a DIN-sized radio in the dash of these trucks without cutting the dash. I used a Dremel tool to cut the dash on my son's '69, back in '99. When I sold the truck in '01, even without a radio, there was nothing said about the hole. It was a clean hole, thanks to a steady hand and the Dremel tool. I used the sleeve for a pattern, and saved the pieces, although they were small. As for me, the Kenwood 801 seems to be headed for my truck. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. Last edited by ChevLoRay; 11-13-2007 at 03:09 PM.

11-13-2007, 02:37 PM	#25
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: radio install Don't mean to start any cut or not cut wars on here but clemson71guy asked for an opinion and I gave it. I don't judge and I don't flame anyone for doing what they want to do. Looks like everyone seems to have an opinion and mine is to not cut the dash if it's stock. It is one of the most visible parts of the vehicle other than the outside. What he does is his prerogative. What anyone does with their vehicle is also their prerogative. I leave mine uncut but I'm also a lot older than most of you guys out there. In my younger years I did my share of modifying cars- like cutting up a perfectly good 56 Mercury two door hardtop in 1972 to make a beach buggy...

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