Metal Dash Question

[RandyP]

87 truck

Does the metal dash, what's left after you remove all the trim and gauges and column etc, just bolt in? I swear I am seeing several bolts, but wondering about the pinch weld along the windshield opening. Figured someone here has had one apart enough to know if it is an actual pinch weld there or just a crimp or something.
I have a newer OE radio to toss in my 87, but am not wanting to cut my radio hole larger for the swap. I'm wondering if the metal piece out of my parts suburban is just a simple bolt in swap or not. I'm really thinking it is not, but I gotta know for sure. If nothing else I'm yanking the windshield out of the burb this weekend and finding out.

If it's not a bolt on thing, I guess I'm just going to suck it up and get an aftermarket radio that fits the hole, even though I really don't want to spend the $300 when I got a good newer OE that I gave $10 for.

[bigblock73]

It is spot welded across the entire windshield area, in addition to the bolts on each side you are seeing.

[ont_guy_38]

you can cut the radio section out of another truck and weld it in

[RandyP]

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

you can cut the radio section out of another truck and weld it in

We've already done that once, to fix it where the old original OE radio would fit. The PO had cut a long square hole for an aftermarket cheapo radio. I really thought the old OE radio I had would suffice, but I guess I'm spoiled to a more modern sound.

As always guys, thanks for the quick and accurate response. It never fails someone on here has "been there done that" for just about any situation.