Cutting Dash For CD Player??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HotRod929 · 09-03-2002, 08:59 PM

Could anyone give me some directions/instructions as to how to cut my dash and put in an aftermarket cd player. I have no idea how to even start this project. Thanks Pics are good too.

HotRod

71BBK10 · 09-03-2002, 09:49 PM

its pretty straightforward. hold your cd player or whatever up to the dash to get an outline of what all needs to be cut. at each corner i used a drill with a big enough bit to where i would have enough room to turn the jigsaw blade 90 degrees to make the next cut. then just cut the outline and that should just about do it

oldburb · 09-03-2002, 10:10 PM

Are you aware of the fact that you will void the trucks warranty by putting in an aftermarket radio??? Just kidding good luck.

:p

Longhorn Man · 09-03-2002, 10:58 PM

I took the 'cage' to my CD player, and held it up to the factory hole, and scribed around it. You'll find the stock hole is too big.
I put teh extra portion of the hole to the bottom so it would not be noticed.
Like so;

Longhorn Man · 09-03-2002, 11:00 PM

Then instead of a jug saw, (thought of it...was scared of it warping the surrounding area) I took a hack saw blade held with vise-grips. It took a few min, but it came out pretty good IMO.
And I have not regretted it one bit either.

kenele · 09-03-2002, 11:13 PM

dremmel tool with a cutting wheel made quick work of cutting my dash for the CD. It was also nice for grinding out the corners so it was a nice snug fit

Low68 · 09-03-2002, 11:33 PM

Always Always Always cut smaller that what you need! Trust me! It is pretty simple. Check your measurement a bunch of times and then cut. The cutting is simple just go slow and follow the line as best as you can. You won't regret it.
Low68

69&72Bowties · 09-04-2002, 01:04 AM

Dont forget to fill in the knob recess on each side of the radio. When I put my cd player in I wanted it flush mounted and didnt want to have the recessed metal where the old knobs where...

But I did mine before it went to paint... That helped..

But you wont regret it at all...

barn9 · 09-04-2002, 01:12 AM

Oh no! Not another truck butcherer! Will this senseless, tasteless, butchery never end! Stereo's come and go, but dashes are a b*tch to replace! And they make stereo's to fit the hole, with CD or cassette too! Now you know how I feel, but, alas, it's your truck, so ruin the dash and live with it.

Pont · 09-04-2002, 05:59 AM

Do yourself a favor and go to Radio Shack and buy a tool called a "Snipper". Kinda looks like a pair of pliers with a funny looking head on it. It's designed for taking small bites out of thin metal. I cut my entire opening using this tool and it cuts straight, smooth and fast. No warping of the metal. Works like tin snips but you are taking small bites of metal, not long cuts. Hope this helps.

I can also post a pic of this tool if needed!

bobs409 · 09-04-2002, 07:59 AM

I agree with barn9! Find another way!

Why not in the glove box or under the dash or ??? Maybe in a center console...under the seat...??? Anywhere else.

I have a dash that's been "hacked" out like the one in the pic and I could kill the bone head that did that! I now have a big plate screwed over the massive hole.

Just an oppinion...

HotRod929 · 09-04-2002, 10:00 AM

69&72Bowties - how did you fill the recess holes? what did you use bondo?

THanks

HotRod

69&72Bowties · 09-04-2002, 10:23 AM

I acutally took the time and used my mig welder.. I filled and grinded.. Took me about 5 hours to get it exactly perfect... I wanted it to look better than stock. My cd player, is flush mounted with no spaces around it...

If you would like I can take you a picture and send it to you?

Bryan

Low68 · 09-04-2002, 12:55 PM

I am interested in seeing what that tool is. Is it just like metal shears or what? Thanks
Low68

SoCal71K20 · 09-04-2002, 01:05 PM

Barn9, I can hack up metal with the worst of 'em,but with this
truck I would love to find a quality CD player that fits original
opening.Who has 'em?

Michael A. K. G · 09-04-2002, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal71K20
Barn9, I can hack up metal with the worst of 'em,but with this
truck I would love to find a quality CD player that fits original
opening.Who has 'em?

The "fitting the original opening" part is impossible. Remove your radio and try to insert a CD into the stock hole. What you CAN do is leave the stock radio in place and mount the CD player under the dash or in the glovebox.

BTW, my dash already had "enlarged" holes for a cheap astounding POS cassette player. So I cut it. I hid the gap with a piece of 16-gauge sheet steel I fabricated and painted with black engine enamel. If I had the original radio with an unmodified dash, I would have done it quite differently.

I used an $11 air cutoff tool to cut the gap. Took like 10 minutes to cut. Then cleaned up the edges with a file.

69&72Bowties · 09-04-2002, 01:28 PM

I know people dont like the idea of cutting the dash, But if you take the time you can make it look sweet... I will take a pic of mine and post it tonight.

Mine is a daily driver, I built is as so... I have 4 tweeters, 4 mids, and 2 12's in my truck. You can only see 2 speakers and those are the tweeters I put in the A/C vents that some one tried to make...

If you are going to keep it and drive it, Then put what you want in the dash and enjoy...

HotRod929 · 09-04-2002, 01:45 PM

Yea any pics of you guy's cut dashes and custom sound stuff would be nice.

HotRod

69&72Bowties · 09-04-2002, 01:47 PM

I will take some and post a link tonight for you all to view!

Capitol68 · 09-04-2002, 01:48 PM

I myself wouldnt cut the dashboard. They do make reproduction radio's with cassette. I dont know about cd's. But u could put a changer under the seat or behind.
My pennys worth
Mark

69&72Bowties · 09-04-2002, 07:24 PM

here is what my dash looks like...

www.ideamill.net/72chevy

I also posted some pictures of my speakers and dash itself...

XXL · 09-04-2002, 07:55 PM

I believe this is round 19 of the "cut v. no-cut" debate (maybe 20, I could have missed one)...

But you "purists" are arguing the wrong side of the issue. Remember, every time one of us "butchers" hacks into a dash, it makes your pristine dashes worth that much more! Just think... if enough of us "butchers" ruin enough dashes, your trucks will be worth millions... all just for having uncut dashes! (even though you've swapped out the original 3-on-the-tree for a TH350 with a floor shifter and the truck has been painted and has aftermarket wheels...)

Kenneth

chevyman 68 C/10 · 09-04-2002, 10:43 PM

AIR HACKSAW WORKS GREAT GO AHEAD AND CUT WHEN IT IS METAL. ANYBODY MAN WORTH ANYTHING CAN FIX IT BACK. WHEN IT IS DONE RIGHT I DON'T THINK YOU WILL EVER WANT TO CHANGE IT BACK,BUT NO SWEAT IF YOU DO.

CUT! CUT! CUT!

Slammed67 · 09-04-2002, 10:57 PM

I used a die grinder with a very thin cut-off wheel.... sliced through it like butter!

69&72Bowties: Pretty sweet stereo set up you have there. Where is Oxford, KS by the way?

69&72Bowties · 09-04-2002, 11:09 PM

I am 23 miles south and 10 miles east of Wichita..

Thanks for the compliments. It took alot of time to set this up and make it look like that...

I am about 3 hours from Joplin Mo.. I get on hwy 166 all the way to I-44....

Where are you located slammed 67?

09-03-2002, 08:59 PM	#1
HotRod929 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school Posts: 767	Cutting Dash For CD Player??? Could anyone give me some directions/instructions as to how to cut my dash and put in an aftermarket cd player. I have no idea how to even start this project. Thanks Pics are good too. HotRod __________________ 1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/

09-03-2002, 09:49 PM	#2
71BBK10 Teufelhunden Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Camp Pendelton Ca Posts: 572	its pretty straightforward. hold your cd player or whatever up to the dash to get an outline of what all needs to be cut. at each corner i used a drill with a big enough bit to where i would have enough room to turn the jigsaw blade 90 degrees to make the next cut. then just cut the outline and that should just about do it __________________ 1971 K10 lwb fleetside 402 T350 205

09-03-2002, 10:10 PM	#3
oldburb Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: knoxville tn Posts: 55	Are you aware of the fact that you will void the trucks warranty by putting in an aftermarket radio??? Just kidding good luck. :p __________________ 72 Suburban 3/4ton 402 rustbucket 72 Suburban 3/4ton body&frame only

09-03-2002, 10:58 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I took the 'cage' to my CD player, and held it up to the factory hole, and scribed around it. You'll find the stock hole is too big. I put teh extra portion of the hole to the bottom so it would not be noticed. Like so; Attached Images

09-03-2002, 11:13 PM	#6
kenele Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vaugh, WA Posts: 191	Dremmel dremmel tool with a cutting wheel made quick work of cutting my dash for the CD. It was also nice for grinding out the corners so it was a nice snug fit __________________ '71 GMC Suburban C1500

09-03-2002, 11:00 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Then instead of a jug saw, (thought of it...was scared of it warping the surrounding area) I took a hack saw blade held with vise-grips. It took a few min, but it came out pretty good IMO. And I have not regretted it one bit either.

09-03-2002, 11:33 PM	#7
Low68 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 758	Always Always Always cut smaller that what you need! Trust me! It is pretty simple. Check your measurement a bunch of times and then cut. The cutting is simple just go slow and follow the line as best as you can. You won't regret it. Low68 __________________ Build Thread

09-04-2002, 01:04 AM	#8
69&72Bowties Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 78	Dont forget to fill in the knob recess on each side of the radio. When I put my cd player in I wanted it flush mounted and didnt want to have the recessed metal where the old knobs where... But I did mine before it went to paint... That helped.. But you wont regret it at all... __________________ Bryan@ideamill.net 71 Chevy Custom 20 Suburban 69 Chevy Camaro

09-04-2002, 01:12 AM	#9
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Oh no! Not another truck butcherer! Will this senseless, tasteless, butchery never end! Stereo's come and go, but dashes are a b*tch to replace! And they make stereo's to fit the hole, with CD or cassette too! Now you know how I feel, but, alas, it's your truck, so ruin the dash and live with it. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

09-04-2002, 05:59 AM	#10
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	Do yourself a favor and go to Radio Shack and buy a tool called a "Snipper". Kinda looks like a pair of pliers with a funny looking head on it. It's designed for taking small bites out of thin metal. I cut my entire opening using this tool and it cuts straight, smooth and fast. No warping of the metal. Works like tin snips but you are taking small bites of metal, not long cuts. Hope this helps. I can also post a pic of this tool if needed! __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

09-04-2002, 07:59 AM	#11
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I agree with barn9! Find another way! Why not in the glove box or under the dash or ??? Maybe in a center console...under the seat...??? Anywhere else. I have a dash that's been "hacked" out like the one in the pic and I could kill the bone head that did that! I now have a big plate screwed over the massive hole. Just an oppinion... __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

09-04-2002, 10:00 AM	#12
HotRod929 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school Posts: 767	69&72Bowties - how did you fill the recess holes? what did you use bondo? THanks HotRod __________________ 1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/

09-04-2002, 10:23 AM	#13
69&72Bowties Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 78	Holes.. I acutally took the time and used my mig welder.. I filled and grinded.. Took me about 5 hours to get it exactly perfect... I wanted it to look better than stock. My cd player, is flush mounted with no spaces around it... If you would like I can take you a picture and send it to you? Bryan __________________ Bryan@ideamill.net 71 Chevy Custom 20 Suburban 69 Chevy Camaro

09-04-2002, 12:55 PM	#14
Low68 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 758	Hey Pont I am interested in seeing what that tool is. Is it just like metal shears or what? Thanks Low68 __________________ Build Thread

09-04-2002, 01:05 PM	#15
SoCal71K20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lemon Grove, California Posts: 152	Barn9, I can hack up metal with the worst of 'em,but with this truck I would love to find a quality CD player that fits original opening.Who has 'em?



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09-04-2002, 01:28 PM	#17
69&72Bowties Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 78	I know people dont like the idea of cutting the dash, But if you take the time you can make it look sweet... I will take a pic of mine and post it tonight. Mine is a daily driver, I built is as so... I have 4 tweeters, 4 mids, and 2 12's in my truck. You can only see 2 speakers and those are the tweeters I put in the A/C vents that some one tried to make... If you are going to keep it and drive it, Then put what you want in the dash and enjoy... __________________ Bryan@ideamill.net 71 Chevy Custom 20 Suburban 69 Chevy Camaro

09-04-2002, 01:45 PM	#18
HotRod929 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school Posts: 767	Yea any pics of you guy's cut dashes and custom sound stuff would be nice. HotRod __________________ 1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/

09-04-2002, 01:47 PM	#19
69&72Bowties Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 78	I will take some and post a link tonight for you all to view! __________________ Bryan@ideamill.net 71 Chevy Custom 20 Suburban 69 Chevy Camaro

09-04-2002, 01:48 PM	#20
Capitol68 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin,Tx Posts: 327	yikes---dashboard cut I myself wouldnt cut the dashboard. They do make reproduction radio's with cassette. I dont know about cd's. But u could put a changer under the seat or behind. My pennys worth Mark

09-04-2002, 07:24 PM	#21
69&72Bowties Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 78	My 72 Dash here is what my dash looks like... www.ideamill.net/72chevy I also posted some pictures of my speakers and dash itself... __________________ Bryan@ideamill.net 71 Chevy Custom 20 Suburban 69 Chevy Camaro

09-04-2002, 07:55 PM	#22
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	I believe this is round 19 of the "cut v. no-cut" debate (maybe 20, I could have missed one)... But you "purists" are arguing the wrong side of the issue. Remember, every time one of us "butchers" hacks into a dash, it makes your pristine dashes worth that much more! Just think... if enough of us "butchers" ruin enough dashes, your trucks will be worth millions... all just for having uncut dashes! (even though you've swapped out the original 3-on-the-tree for a TH350 with a floor shifter and the truck has been painted and has aftermarket wheels...) Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

09-04-2002, 10:43 PM	#23
chevyman 68 C/10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Gilmer, Texas USA Posts: 313	AIR HACKSAW WORKS GREAT GO AHEAD AND CUT WHEN IT IS METAL. ANYBODY MAN WORTH ANYTHING CAN FIX IT BACK. WHEN IT IS DONE RIGHT I DON'T THINK YOU WILL EVER WANT TO CHANGE IT BACK,BUT NO SWEAT IF YOU DO. CUT! CUT! CUT! __________________ 69 Chevy short fleet side soon to have LT1 and 4L60E pb. ps cruise and air. 68 Chevy short fleet side 400 sb 5 inch chop top pb. ps. pw. 350 auto and shaved handles 68 anniversary no engine long wheel base 400 auto FOR SALE 68 Chevy fleet side long wheel base complete parts truck.

09-04-2002, 10:57 PM	#24
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	I used a die grinder with a very thin cut-off wheel.... sliced through it like butter! 69&72Bowties: Pretty sweet stereo set up you have there. Where is Oxford, KS by the way? __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra Last edited by Slammed67; 09-04-2002 at 11:05 PM.

09-04-2002, 11:09 PM	#25
69&72Bowties Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 78	I am 23 miles south and 10 miles east of Wichita.. Thanks for the compliments. It took alot of time to set this up and make it look like that... I am about 3 hours from Joplin Mo.. I get on hwy 166 all the way to I-44.... Where are you located slammed 67? __________________ Bryan@ideamill.net 71 Chevy Custom 20 Suburban 69 Chevy Camaro

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