Patching the dash that was cut for radio

[dmjlambert]

I am getting interested in putting the dash back to stock after the PO cut it to insert a radio. What do I need to be aware of when shopping? What way should I go? Is a patch panel with the A/C center vent cutout difficult to get or are they pretty common? I have an 1969 CST/10 with A/C.

I see sometimes panels like this one richard2717 has listed in the parts section:


And I see some that are smaller available new, like this:

[dmjlambert]

And I should add: are there any members in the Houston TX area who know welding and would like to help me with this? Or recommendations of somebody who does this sort of body work?

[jocko]

a real dash cut of the size of the first pic is what you're looking for - it puts the welds mostly out of sight, behind the bezel and very little visible above/below the gb door, not all in the line of visible sight like the 2nd pic would require. Best source is the parts board, someone parting out a truck. I even got one in the original color of my truck on here (not that it matters, has to be painted anyway, but still )

[Astro-Balls]

Would still need to cut out for the AC vent, unless rerouted.

[Grumpy old man]

I did one of mine a few months back and used an original section i bought off the board a year or two ago , I drilled the spot welds on the bottom and kept the framework intact . Welding and fill work is minimal this way compared to using an aftermarket patch panel .

[dmjlambert]

OK, since you have that whole dash completely out of the truck, can you describe what it's like to do that? I could just buy a whole dash. Also I have seen where people fill the slots and holes and end up with a dash that does not need a dash pad. How are slots and holes like that filled, and what is the difficulty level of doing that?

[truckster]

Filling slots and holes on a surface that's as curved as that requires some really good welding skills.

I would do it as Jocko and Grumpy suggest. You'll have less welding and it will be in a less prominent area. The flat welds required for the aftermarket patch panel are an advanced skill.

[HO455]

If your getting a used dash or section of one look carefully at the holes the knobs pass through. I have a center section that someone has removed the small step that the little buckets sit in. Without the steps you can't bolt the radio in.
If your looking to just bolt a stock radio in and not restore the dash you could do what I did here. Scroll to post 291.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...698377&page=12

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

OK, since you have that whole dash completely out of the truck, can you describe what it's like to do that? I could just buy a whole dash. Also I have seen where people fill the slots and holes and end up with a dash that does not need a dash pad. How are slots and holes like that filled, and what is the difficulty level of doing that?

My trucks are frame off nut and bolt restorations / mild customs so all the glass and paint is stripped to bare metal , When I pulled the windshield I found gutter rust out that needed to be repaired ,I already had a radio repair panel and a few extra dashes so adding all that together rebuilding the one I used was the best idea . It's a lot of work to pull the dash and glass to repair someones idea of cutting the dash for a new Chinese radio . The radio repair can be done in the truck if you remove everything out of the way and protect all the glass . I'm adding A/C vents to this dash so it's a lot easier done on the bench .

[Grumpy old man]

I bought a cheap set of factory A/C vents that I'll trim off the back sides so they fit the dash face correctly and I'll be able to mark and cut the dash for the new vents and have them fit perfect. way better than using a paper pattern