Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kelsfine69 · 03-11-2011, 06:34 PM

I'm gonna cut the dash and put in a Pioneer cd player, Any tips? Any problems. Do I cut the plastic and meta seperate? Does anyone have a link with pics, Thanks

*78 Chevyrado* · 03-11-2011, 07:14 PM

Cut and trim up the plastic and metal dash seperately. Cut the hole a little bit too small so you can clean up the hole with a file for smoother results. Fit the sleeve to the plastic bezel, but dont bend the tabs yet and cut the bottom right corner of the sleeve if you have to to fit the bezel. ALSO when you trim for the radio face bezel to fit, trim the radio bezel and NOT the dash bezel, it will look way way better this way.

Onc e you have the hole in the dash bezel like you want it, reinstall the bezel. make sure to install every screw just like you are finished because they can change the hole location. Then slide the sleeve through the hole in the plastic bezel till it touches the metal dash behind and then trace the sleeve to get your cut marks on the metal dash.

Then you're all set.

Remember the radio trim bezel is LARGER then the sleeve so take that into account when placing your hole.

78customdeluxe · 03-11-2011, 09:39 PM

What I would do is get a bezel from i think 89-91 that had the larger radio in it, that way all you have to do is get one of those kits to install the radio, cut the dash to make it fit, and your good to go. Then if you ever want to you can get a 1 1/2 din radio to put in it and not have to cut any farther...

dropd80s · 03-12-2011, 12:00 AM

I would use this kit from metra. It comes with an extra plate that helps reinforce the radio when mounted, and cuts all the guess work out of where to cut. Also comes with an ABS plate that covers any of the bevels from where the OE radio mounted for a nice clean look. Looks really good when installed. I all ways run a strap from the back of the radio to the bottom of the dash too. This kit with a strap makes for a very sturdy mount. Theres a bunch of these on ebay if you can't find them locally, just search for the Part#.
http://www.metraonline.com/part/87-99-3052

kelsfine69 · 03-14-2011, 04:39 PM

Found this pic while surfin. Not what I want to do but thought it was interesting. Thought Id share.

muddnutz · 03-14-2011, 06:43 PM

Looks cool except that mess of wires sticking out would drive me crazy
Posted via Mobile Device

03-11-2011, 06:34 PM	#1
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips I'm gonna cut the dash and put in a Pioneer cd player, Any tips? Any problems. Do I cut the plastic and meta seperate? Does anyone have a link with pics, Thanks __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

03-11-2011, 07:14 PM	#2
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips Cut and trim up the plastic and metal dash seperately. Cut the hole a little bit too small so you can clean up the hole with a file for smoother results. Fit the sleeve to the plastic bezel, but dont bend the tabs yet and cut the bottom right corner of the sleeve if you have to to fit the bezel. ALSO when you trim for the radio face bezel to fit, trim the radio bezel and NOT the dash bezel, it will look way way better this way. Onc e you have the hole in the dash bezel like you want it, reinstall the bezel. make sure to install every screw just like you are finished because they can change the hole location. Then slide the sleeve through the hole in the plastic bezel till it touches the metal dash behind and then trace the sleeve to get your cut marks on the metal dash. Then you're all set. Remember the radio trim bezel is LARGER then the sleeve so take that into account when placing your hole. Last edited by 78 Chevyrado; 03-11-2011 at 07:17 PM.

03-11-2011, 09:39 PM	#3
78customdeluxe Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Upper Sandusky Ohio Posts: 72	Re: Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips What I would do is get a bezel from i think 89-91 that had the larger radio in it, that way all you have to do is get one of those kits to install the radio, cut the dash to make it fit, and your good to go. Then if you ever want to you can get a 1 1/2 din radio to put in it and not have to cut any farther... __________________ 88 Crewcab Dually 5.9 Cummins, 5306 Eaton 6-speed, converted 4x4 w/52's up front, 90 front clip(parting out) 1986 ElCamino (needs motor) 1970 C30(future service truck for my ag-equipment repair business) 1970 CST10(parting out and partial donor for the '70 C30) 2000 GMC 1500 ext cab sb, z71, 5.3 loaded auto

03-12-2011, 12:00 AM	#4
dropd80s Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: wichita falls tx Posts: 429	Re: Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips I would use this kit from metra. It comes with an extra plate that helps reinforce the radio when mounted, and cuts all the guess work out of where to cut. Also comes with an ABS plate that covers any of the bevels from where the OE radio mounted for a nice clean look. Looks really good when installed. I all ways run a strap from the back of the radio to the bottom of the dash too. This kit with a strap makes for a very sturdy mount. Theres a bunch of these on ebay if you can't find them locally, just search for the Part#. http://www.metraonline.com/part/87-99-3052

03-14-2011, 04:39 PM	#5
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips Found this pic while surfin. Not what I want to do but thought it was interesting. Thought Id share. Attached Images __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

03-14-2011, 06:43 PM	#6
muddnutz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canton/Holly Springs Ga Posts: 89	Re: Cutting The Dash For Stereo Tips Looks cool except that mess of wires sticking out would drive me crazy Posted via Mobile Device

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