12-20-2007, 10:40 AM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 177
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Dash Bezel Headache
So I have a 74 GMC with a busted dash bezel. Not normally a huge deal, except the garbage aftermarket radio fell out when I was working on the electrical. Seems the PO just tossed the radio in there without any brackets, and broke the bezel in the install process.
I found a radio that will fit the OEM radio specs, and really want a clean bezel, not cut for an aftermarket radio. Seems like 73-74 were the special dash years, and a 84 I bought on eBay doesn't fit the dash properly (wiper cut out too small, lower bezel doesn't mesh). The only ones I can find are $200 through LMC - seems like way too much for this little project. Anyone have any good fab ideas?
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1974 GMC C-10; my new addiction 1998 4 Runner; daily driver Last edited by N2TRUX; 12-22-2007 at 06:24 PM. Reason: Wanted to buy for subscribers only |
12-20-2007, 10:53 AM | #2 |
In the Forgotten far North.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 2,627
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
Checked EBAY yet?
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1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade |
12-20-2007, 04:45 PM | #3 |
Robert Olson Transport
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
ebay or go junkyarding you find all kinds of treasure there
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
12-20-2007, 05:17 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kansas
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
post a wanted on craigslist. Never know what you will find there.
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12-21-2007, 08:13 AM | #5 |
K5Camper
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 1,513
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
I found my bezel on Ebay. You need to remember there are differences in the openings for the wiper switch too. The difference being the early trucks 73-75 (maybe 76 too, not sure) used the wiper switch that had it's own illuminated wiper lable. Later trucks had a smaller hole that eliminated the lable and wiper was just cast into the bezel. later versions have no wiper at all since the switch got moved to the column.
You got a few options. 1. Troll ebay for an early bezel as they do come up fairly commonly. 2. Boneyard (hit or miss as the bezels are usually trashed by the time they get there or somebody rips it out to get to the cluster). 3. swap meet, but don't be suprised if sellers expect new prices. 4. Craigslist, but lots of nuts on there. 5. Buy a new one from LMC.
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Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper |
12-21-2007, 08:21 AM | #6 |
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Location: Central Coast, CA
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
Yeah, I've been checking eBay for months, as well as the Pick-a-Part near me. I was kinda hoping someone would be parting out an older truck and have some interior pieces sitting around.
Unfortunately, like you said, lots of them are trashed in the junkyards or missing... I could get one at LMC but it's kind of pricey - this truck is a sometimes driver/work truck/take the dogs to the beach. Not a resto project... yet. Thanks guys - appreciate the ideas...
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1974 GMC C-10; my new addiction 1998 4 Runner; daily driver |
12-22-2007, 07:03 AM | #7 |
K5Camper
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 1,513
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
The problem with boneyards is nobody cars what they trash to get to what they are looking for. So if someone needs a cluster or a gauges from the cluster it's easier to just rip the bezel out of the way instead of taking the 5 minutes with a screwdriver to remove it correctly. In most cases I find them in multiple chunks on the floor or in the bed or on the ground near the truck.
People just don't care what they destroy since it's in a junk truck in the first place. The only hope at the boneyard is to be there when the fresh carcass is dropped in the yard and take the first crack at it. One other option I forgot about is looking at the Covan's classic replacement bezel. It's not cheap either, nor is it stock but it is an alternative.
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Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper |
12-22-2007, 08:02 AM | #8 |
1962 C-10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
In the past few months I've past up some pretty decent bezels at the junkyard. I didn't grab them because I wasn't aware how expensive new one's were. If I'd have known, I would've jumped all over them. I probably would have gotten them for $5-10. Of course, now that I'm looking for one, I'll never find it...Damn Murphy!
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Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4 |
12-22-2007, 02:10 PM | #9 |
Dark Heart Motorsports
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: 29404 DKFX
Posts: 683
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
or you could do this....
thats as far as Ive gotten to date... and yes, those are the digital gauges I bought last february... sorry for the thread jack, just tryin to give you an idea as to what is possible :/
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How Deep Can YOU Bleed..? 1985 Chevy Blazer K5- 6.2 N/A, 400 turbo trans CUCV, 12v converted... a new chapter 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 6.0 powwwaa!!! custom jumpseat install w/ captain seats, Hypertech tuner, MSD Blaster Coils, CB and twin antenna's, all electric interior, touch screen in dash. custom center console, with jump seat replacing original console. 1500 HD! |
12-22-2007, 02:36 PM | #10 |
K5Camper
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pueblo, CO
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
I'm sorry for the hijack too. Knightlife is it just me or does it look like you are doing fiberglass work in the bathroom? Better keep the fiberglass away from the TP or you might come up a little tender down there!!!!!! Just Joking!
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Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper |
12-22-2007, 06:20 PM | #11 | |
Registered User
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Location: Central Coast, CA
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
Quote:
What's your process? Looks interesting!
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1974 GMC C-10; my new addiction 1998 4 Runner; daily driver |
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12-22-2007, 06:34 PM | #12 |
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Re: Dash Bezel Headache
Kixwy2- You must be a subscribing member to make a "For Sale" or "Wanted to Buy" post. Please consider supporting the forum by becoming a subscribing member.
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