CD Player/To cut or not to cut? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC_Aaron · 07-31-2002, 09:54 AM

I really want to install a cd player in my 72 GMC, but I am looking for for some advice on wether I should do so, because I will have to cut out the area from which the radio sits to accomodate the cd player because it's bigger. I don't know if I should cut it out. I know another option would be a changer, but I don't want to do that. Also, what about speaker cut-outs in the door for speakers? Would these items hurt the value of my truck too much?

MIKE'67 · 07-31-2002, 10:20 AM

I bought a unit from Dan Fink Metal Works. It's a box and faceplate that you can mount under the dash. It looks really trick and you don't have to cut the dash. The door holes can be easily repaired or covered at a later date. If you want more information on the unit I have I'd be glad to send it to you if you give me your e-mail address.

oleblue72 · 07-31-2002, 10:39 AM

This question always brings up a good debate, cut or not ?. If you want to keep this truck completely original? or Your going to do some non-original mods? Bottom line it's your truck. Do whatever you think best fits your needs. Cutting the dash makes the radio/CD player easily accesible, a remote controlled unit can work just as well without cutting.

barn9 · 07-31-2002, 11:09 AM

Stereos are easily replaced, dashes are not. Just say no to truck butchering!

Project1970 · 07-31-2002, 11:26 AM

It's your truck. Cut it.

I have yet to even think of regretting cutting my dash to fit my CD player.

Paul Clark · 07-31-2002, 11:39 AM

Debating this myself, and have a very basic (maybe slightly stupid) question.-
How do you cut it without messing up the paint on the dash? What do you use?
Thanks

Smooth68 · 07-31-2002, 11:46 AM

Project1970 is 100% on the money - half of everyone here will say cut it and the other half will say never cut. The ultimate choice is yours - I would cut mine without a second thought because that is what I want. You need to do what you want to do, not what everyone else wants you to do.

bowtie · 07-31-2002, 12:52 PM

cut it, you can always weld in a new plate or dash later. I wanna see what a nice cd player looks like anyways. Better yours than mine hehehe

I have a friend that put a dvd player in his car and it looks real 'trick'. If I could afford thet dvd player, I would put that unit in.

Post some pics of your progress

**BIG ORANGE** · 07-31-2002, 12:59 PM

Dont Dont Dont,listen to Mikes67 that would be the way to go,please dont cut that dash!

68gmcjon · 07-31-2002, 01:05 PM

Hey Mike'67 I'd be interested in some info on that box for under the dash. Send it to wildcatfan95@hotmail.com Thanks

Low69CST · 07-31-2002, 01:22 PM

I am not cutting up my cab. I just don't see destroying a dash thats becoming ever more rare. Most people say you can just weld a new piece back in. Its never as easy as it sounds, plus, you'd have to take the center section of the dash apart, grind, body fill, and paint all inside a nice truck. Plus theres going to be a day when these trucks are not plentyful and finding good dashes is impossible. I'm going to have the only original one left on the planet!

BTW I'm putting a CD player mounted in the glovebox.

RodC · 07-31-2002, 01:41 PM

I would not cut it 2 reasons:

Cant go back

Have you EVER seen any type of newer install really look like it belonged in an older model??? No matter how much money you spend, they still look out of place!! IMO

Put it under the seat or in the glove box.

O'l Buck · 07-31-2002, 02:21 PM

It's a piece of 4" screen door trim alluminum channel.....very easy to work with and uses the screws which hold the heater controls with a couple self tapping sheet metal screws to eliminate vibration.

Slammed67 · 07-31-2002, 02:31 PM

Will you ever go back to an AM radio? Would you ever go back to front drum brakes? Would you ever go back to bias-ply tires?

Cut the sucker!

lost wages · 07-31-2002, 02:39 PM

geez, guess i ruined a cab, doors, short bleet bed and frame by making it look how i want. Cut the sucker, use a dremel tool with the cut off wheels and you can make nice clean cuts, you will go through several and make sure you wear glasses so when the break and bounce off your face youll still be able to see. I have a non cut dash if people want to start bidding on it, might be rare some day!!! im only kidding.

palallin · 07-31-2002, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slammed67
Will you ever go back to an AM radio? Would you ever go back to front drum brakes? Would you ever go back to bias-ply tires?

I still have the AM and the front drums. I'd buy bias-ply in the size I want for my 4wd in a heartbeat, if I could find them

ChevLoRay · 07-31-2002, 03:54 PM

lostwages got it right....if you want to cut the dash. I used the "sleeve" that serves as the mount for a JVC AM/FM/CD and scribed the appropriate cut marks. In essence, I had to cut out the section between the center and the knobs, then square-off the corners outboard of the knobs. When I was done, the sleeve fit snuggly, and the head unit looked nice. It was a mixed bag for me to cut it, but it looked nice when finished. My other truck is uncut, and will remain uncut. I plan to install a hidden unit and use a remote control. The radio in the dash will be for show, only. Besides, it doesn't work...unless I can find someone to fix it. I have an AM/FM (minus it's multiplexer) from a 67-68 Pontiac that I will use to fill in the blank.

woodrow59 · 07-31-2002, 04:51 PM

Go ahead and cut it if you want but please don't do it like the former owner of mine did.

Looking to find a way to fix this without cutting and welding if anybody has any ideas.

Longhorn Man · 07-31-2002, 04:55 PM

Ouch...that looks bad.
I cut mine, and have not even looked back. I love my tunes, and as soon as i find doors worth cutting, they will get the axe too.
I used a hack saw blade held with Vise-Grips...looks great.

bigvinnie · 07-31-2002, 05:02 PM

woodrow,

that's a major mutilation, looks like someone cut that hole with an axe.... I guess you could cut and screw a plate over the entire recessed opening and make a new hole for the stereo...

If it were me, I'd find a thrashed cab with a good dash and cut the recessed radio portion out of it, then trim my hacked dash to accept the new piece and weld it in...

time consuming but the best way to go if you have the know-how and the tools and patience...

Smooth68 · 07-31-2002, 05:06 PM

Always make sure you know WTH your doing before doing any modifications!

woodrow59 - I would make an oversized, EVENLY CUT plate to cover that up, recut my hole for the radio and pop rivit the cormers

69mychevy · 07-31-2002, 05:08 PM

hey i used vicegrips on a hack saw blade too and i hate to brag but mine looks just as good if not better than longhornmail, my point in all this is, if u do it right it looks just fine as long as u don't put like a sony xplode with freakin pictures and s h i t
p.s. when i first opened this i thought i was at an abortion board
cut it, don't cut it, nothing looks as good as stock, mine looks clean and its not stock ha ha ha

jku72 · 07-31-2002, 05:22 PM

Uh, why not just go with an underseat CD player, and use a custom autosound stereo system, and save hacking anything?
They look stock, but are new. I love mine, and it slid in with only a little swearing. No cut, it is irreversible. Someday the cd with go the way of the 8-track, and you will have cut for nothing. Dont do it!!!!!!

Bamm · 07-31-2002, 05:25 PM

Cut it if you really want to but here are a few other options: My cd player is mounted in my console between the seats. (Don't know if you have buckets or bench, but this might be a good excuse to get the buckets and console.....) or mount it in the Glove Box and install a delete plate in the dash. Or maybe a trick overhead console from a late-model truck??? Whatever you do remember that it is your truck you have to build it the way you like it..................................JB

Super Chevy · 07-31-2002, 05:30 PM

I'd cut mine in a heartbeat if i had a nice pioneer or something to put in it, my trucks cab is shot anyhow.

07-31-2002, 09:54 AM	#1
GMC_Aaron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ventura, Ca. Posts: 87	CD Player/To cut or not to cut? I really want to install a cd player in my 72 GMC, but I am looking for for some advice on wether I should do so, because I will have to cut out the area from which the radio sits to accomodate the cd player because it's bigger. I don't know if I should cut it out. I know another option would be a changer, but I don't want to do that. Also, what about speaker cut-outs in the door for speakers? Would these items hurt the value of my truck too much? __________________ Aaron Ventura, Ca. 1972 GMC Super Custom SB350/TH400

07-31-2002, 10:20 AM	#2
MIKE'67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albertville, Alabama USA Posts: 299	I bought a unit from Dan Fink Metal Works. It's a box and faceplate that you can mount under the dash. It looks really trick and you don't have to cut the dash. The door holes can be easily repaired or covered at a later date. If you want more information on the unit I have I'd be glad to send it to you if you give me your e-mail address. __________________ 1977 Short Stepside, black, 350/350. Located in Albertville, Alabama.

07-31-2002, 10:39 AM	#3
oleblue72 No, U Da Man! Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 284	This question always brings up a good debate, cut or not ?. If you want to keep this truck completely original? or Your going to do some non-original mods? Bottom line it's your truck. Do whatever you think best fits your needs. Cutting the dash makes the radio/CD player easily accesible, a remote controlled unit can work just as well without cutting. __________________ (sold ole blue 1972) 1997 Dodge 1500 5.9L 1996 Saturn SL2 1.9L 2002 Mitsubishi Montero 3.0L 2005 Ford Escape 3.0L *1967 Olds Vista Cruiser 330-320HP*

07-31-2002, 11:09 AM	#4
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Stereos are easily replaced, dashes are not. Just say no to truck butchering! __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

07-31-2002, 11:26 AM	#5
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	It's your truck. Cut it. I have yet to even think of regretting cutting my dash to fit my CD player. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

07-31-2002, 11:39 AM	#6
Paul Clark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Center Point, IA Posts: 502	Debating this myself, and have a very basic (maybe slightly stupid) question.- How do you cut it without messing up the paint on the dash? What do you use? Thanks

07-31-2002, 11:46 AM	#7
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	Project1970 is 100% on the money - half of everyone here will say cut it and the other half will say never cut. The ultimate choice is yours - I would cut mine without a second thought because that is what I want. You need to do what you want to do, not what everyone else wants you to do. __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

07-31-2002, 12:52 PM	#8
bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 1,050	cut it cut it, you can always weld in a new plate or dash later. I wanna see what a nice cd player looks like anyways. Better yours than mine hehehe I have a friend that put a dvd player in his car and it looks real 'trick'. If I could afford thet dvd player, I would put that unit in. Post some pics of your progress __________________ ~70 GMCprostreet swb 396/700r NOS 575 hp "the Brick" ~72 chev swb w/68 front clip "GM Millenium corvette yellow" I use and accept Paypal

07-31-2002, 12:59 PM	#9
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,767	Dont do it Dont Dont Dont,listen to Mikes67 that would be the way to go,please dont cut that dash! __________________ Things happen for a reason!

07-31-2002, 01:05 PM	#10
68gmcjon Got earplugs? Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winfield, Kansas Posts: 556	Hey Mike'67 I'd be interested in some info on that box for under the dash. Send it to wildcatfan95@hotmail.com Thanks __________________ 1968 GMC Original A/C, bucket seats, PS,PB 396 bored to 402, Dynomax cerama-coat headers, Super 40 Flowmasters, 272/284 Crane cam, Crane gold roller rockers, holley 750 cfm double pumper, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, HEI ignition, 9.5:compression Alltogether 411HP and 446ft/lbs Dana 60 w/ 3.54 gears Turbo 400 tranny Why would you have anything other than a big block? HAHA

07-31-2002, 01:22 PM	#11
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	I am not cutting up my cab. I just don't see destroying a dash thats becoming ever more rare. Most people say you can just weld a new piece back in. Its never as easy as it sounds, plus, you'd have to take the center section of the dash apart, grind, body fill, and paint all inside a nice truck. Plus theres going to be a day when these trucks are not plentyful and finding good dashes is impossible. I'm going to have the only original one left on the planet! BTW I'm putting a CD player mounted in the glovebox. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

07-31-2002, 01:41 PM	#12
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	I would not cut it 2 reasons: Cant go back Have you EVER seen any type of newer install really look like it belonged in an older model??? No matter how much money you spend, they still look out of place!! IMO Put it under the seat or in the glove box. __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside

07-31-2002, 02:21 PM	#13
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	Here's what I did It's a piece of 4" screen door trim alluminum channel.....very easy to work with and uses the screws which hold the heater controls with a couple self tapping sheet metal screws to eliminate vibration. Attached Images __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

07-31-2002, 02:31 PM	#14
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Will you ever go back to an AM radio? Would you ever go back to front drum brakes? Would you ever go back to bias-ply tires? Cut the sucker! __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

07-31-2002, 02:39 PM	#15
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	geez, guess i ruined a cab, doors, short bleet bed and frame by making it look how i want. Cut the sucker, use a dremel tool with the cut off wheels and you can make nice clean cuts, you will go through several and make sure you wear glasses so when the break and bounce off your face youll still be able to see. I have a non cut dash if people want to start bidding on it, might be rare some day!!! im only kidding.



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07-31-2002, 03:54 PM	#17
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	lostwages got it right....if you want to cut the dash. I used the "sleeve" that serves as the mount for a JVC AM/FM/CD and scribed the appropriate cut marks. In essence, I had to cut out the section between the center and the knobs, then square-off the corners outboard of the knobs. When I was done, the sleeve fit snuggly, and the head unit looked nice. It was a mixed bag for me to cut it, but it looked nice when finished. My other truck is uncut, and will remain uncut. I plan to install a hidden unit and use a remote control. The radio in the dash will be for show, only. Besides, it doesn't work...unless I can find someone to fix it. I have an AM/FM (minus it's multiplexer) from a 67-68 Pontiac that I will use to fill in the blank. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-31-2002, 04:51 PM	#18
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	Go ahead and cut it if you want but please don't do it like the former owner of mine did. Looking to find a way to fix this without cutting and welding if anybody has any ideas. Attached Images __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

07-31-2002, 04:55 PM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Ouch...that looks bad. I cut mine, and have not even looked back. I love my tunes, and as soon as i find doors worth cutting, they will get the axe too. I used a hack saw blade held with Vise-Grips...looks great. Attached Images

07-31-2002, 05:02 PM	#20
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	woodrow, that's a major mutilation, looks like someone cut that hole with an axe.... I guess you could cut and screw a plate over the entire recessed opening and make a new hole for the stereo... If it were me, I'd find a thrashed cab with a good dash and cut the recessed radio portion out of it, then trim my hacked dash to accept the new piece and weld it in... time consuming but the best way to go if you have the know-how and the tools and patience... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project Last edited by bigvinnie; 07-31-2002 at 05:08 PM.

07-31-2002, 05:06 PM	#21
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	Always make sure you know WTH your doing before doing any modifications! woodrow59 - I would make an oversized, EVENLY CUT plate to cover that up, recut my hole for the radio and pop rivit the cormers Attached Images __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

07-31-2002, 05:08 PM	#22
69mychevy yes i did post something Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 244	hey i used vicegrips on a hack saw blade too and i hate to brag but mine looks just as good if not better than longhornmail, my point in all this is, if u do it right it looks just fine as long as u don't put like a sony xplode with freakin pictures and s h i t p.s. when i first opened this i thought i was at an abortion board cut it, don't cut it, nothing looks as good as stock, mine looks clean and its not stock ha ha ha __________________ you can want in one hand and s h i t in the other and see which fills first NO MATTER HOW BEAUTIFUL THE GIRL(S) IN MY AVATAR IS PLEASE READ MY POST

07-31-2002, 05:22 PM	#23
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	Uh, why not just go with an underseat CD player, and use a custom autosound stereo system, and save hacking anything? They look stock, but are new. I love mine, and it slid in with only a little swearing. No cut, it is irreversible. Someday the cd with go the way of the 8-track, and you will have cut for nothing. Dont do it!!!!!! __________________ jku Cornville, Maine 68 C10 burb 42 Willys MB 46 Dodge WF-32 1.5 ton 53 & 56 Olds' 60 Cadillac 22 Dodge Brothers

07-31-2002, 05:25 PM	#24
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	Cut it if you really want to but here are a few other options: My cd player is mounted in my console between the seats. (Don't know if you have buckets or bench, but this might be a good excuse to get the buckets and console.....) or mount it in the Glove Box and install a delete plate in the dash. Or maybe a trick overhead console from a late-model truck??? Whatever you do remember that it is your truck you have to build it the way you like it..................................JB __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

07-31-2002, 05:30 PM	#25
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	I'd cut mine in a heartbeat if i had a nice pioneer or something to put in it, my trucks cab is shot anyhow.

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