dash cut for radio - now what

[Joesprocket]

hey guys - i'm new to the forum. I bought a 69' short bed last year and currently am having it painted. I hated this when i bought it but it is what it is - some asshat cut the dash to fit a modern stereo. I really like the classic look of the original radios with knobs. Is there a receiver out there that has the OE look but fits a "cut dash"? What do you think is the best approach?

On the other hand (and a complete 180 from OE) I've even considered buying the Bose Soundlink Mini and fabricating a custom bezel to fit into the dash.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/...350&src=K22350

Would be kinda cool to fit as a quick release and throw in the bed when it's time to tail gate.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Joesprocket

hey guys - i'm new to the forum. I bought a 69' short bed last year and currently am having it painted. I hated this when i bought it but it is what it is - some asshat cut the dash to fit a modern stereo.

You will have to fix that yourself. There are a few guys selling 'radio delete' and 'ashtray delete' plates but I always thought they looked like scabs on a pigs butt. Get a three inch grinder, a cutoff wheel and a piece of 16 ga cold rolled. Make a new bezel for the radio of your choice then use the cutoff wheel to cut out the butchered parts. Trim your fabficated bezel to fit the hole and welderup! The asshat that owned my truck before I got it chopped the dash up pretty badly too, so I just cut the bad part out and replaced it with a flat panel and built the radio faceplate and shifter into a center console..

[Joesprocket]

@fitz - i like your style. The truck is pretty far from OE right down to the engine (383 stroker). Might as well do something that fits my taste and use.

Also if anyone has their truck painted Frost Green (original to 69 camaro, nova and chevelle), I'd love to see some pics.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Joesprocket

@fitz - i like your style. The truck is pretty far from OE right down to the engine (383 stroker). Might as well do something that fits my taste and use.

Also if anyone has their truck painted Frost Green (original to 69 camaro, nova and chevelle), I'd love to see some pics.

My cousin has a '55 210 wirh a 383 stroker. One badazz engine in a light truck.

[C10_ustacould]

Nsane Hot Rods sells, and installs, a repair panel for this issue. Here is a before and after of mine... You can contact them here on the board, member nsanehotrodz.

[rthomas]

I cut my stock radio & ashtray out & put a flat 18 gauge plate in it's place. I intend to cut a 100 x 180 mm hole & install a nice modern navigation sytem, HD radio & all the other features you can get it. If you're gonna drive it make it as comfortable as you can.

[Jonlopes]

One other option is there is a guy on the for sale forum that makes polished aluminum bezels that you can use to mount a modern stereo. The bezel matches the look of the chrome dash bezel and the chrome bezel for the ac system below it. It is the best solution I could find to make a modern stereo look like it belongs in the 67-72 dash.

*Edit, here is a link:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=660415

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

One other option is there is a guy on the for sale forum that makes polished aluminum bezels that you can use to mount a modern stereo. The bezel matches the look of the chrome dash bezel and the chrome bezel for the ac system below it. It is the best solution I could find to make a modern stereo look like it belongs in the 67-72 dash.

*Edit, here is a link:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=660415

These are very a very nice alternative if you are not going for a factory look with your dash.

[Jonlopes]

Originally Posted by Bucks68

These are very a very nice alternative if you are not going for a factory look with your dash.

Yeah, I really wish my dash was not cut but the cost of buying a patch panel, having it installed and buying a nostalgic radio to fit would be much more than the utility I would receive.

The biggest problem I have with the modern radios in cut dashboards is they just look like they don't belong/ out of place. The bezel matches the factory lines and style and makes it look like the rectrangle radio belongs there. Lesser of 2 evils?

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

Yeah, I really wish my dash was not cut but the cost of buying a patch panel, having it installed and buying a nostalgic radio to fit would be much more than the utility I would receive.

The biggest problem I have with the modern radios in cut dashboards is they just look like they don't belong/ out of place. The bezel matches the factory lines and style and makes it look like the rectrangle radio belongs there. Lesser of 2 evils?

Your truck bro, do what you like and what fits your budget.

[swamp rat]

Sometimes the guys parting out trucks will cut a repair panel out of the dash and they go for about $40, where they are cut is easy to weld in and cover up..

[Mmorgan32]

My dash is cut too. What about the retro audio stereos? I know they come with a bezel but will it work for the outside of the stereo for a factory look on a cut dash?

[Joesprocket]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

One other option is there is a guy on the for sale forum that makes polished aluminum bezels that you can use to mount a modern stereo. The bezel matches the look of the chrome dash bezel and the chrome bezel for the ac system below it. It is the best solution I could find to make a modern stereo look like it belongs in the 67-72 dash.

*Edit, here is a link:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=660415

yeah, i actually came across that thread while researching a couple weeks ago. Sounds like people have been pretty happy with his work and the end result as well.

[67chevemall]

Just tape a picture of kate upton there and be done with it.
You dont need a radio with a 383, that is the music

[Joesprocket]

Originally Posted by 67chevemall

Just tape a picture of kate upton there and be done with it.
You dont need a radio with a 383, that is the music

true on both counts. Before my truck I was and am still a huge bmw 2002 enthusiast. Stripped out radio and HVAC and got down to the basics. It really is all about the drive. With a truck on the other hand...I need my Zeppelin.