A new guy cutting factory ac holes in dash

[1972trucks]

With some practice and encouragement from some friends i have decided to put air on my truck. I was worried because i have spent so much time on it and its already painted just not put back together yet so i figured do it know. I used templates out of a factory air dash and practiced on a rusty cab i have. Thanks to Jerry Brown and Jason at the Truck Shop for encouraging me to do it. I also wanted to say this a great board to learn stuff and I enjoy it i look at everyday.

Morgan

[big mike71]

Dude, The first thing you have to learn from this site is to post pics. Somebody show him the sign because I don't know how.

[1972trucks]

I will have to put some pics up tommorow when i get home

[71blksuper4x4]

Are you going with factory air? Did you cut the firewall as well?

[1972trucks]

Yes im going with factory air and i havent got to the firewall yet but i have plenty of parts trucks with air so im going to make the firewall the same as an air cab just been busy and cutting holes in a painted dash is really time consuming

[71blksuper4x4]

I wasn't being rude, just making sure that they did tell you about the firewall difference. Sounds like you got it down. Trevor

[MT1972cheyenne]

Big Mike71, Here you go:

[ksbrktracer]

I'll do it.....................

[ksbrktracer]

ha ha.....make sure to post them.............

[oldmanlance]

ive done this to a couple of trucks its not to bad , i cut out the outlets from an old dash kinda made templets like worked real good.

[72lb4x4]

Anybody want to suggest how or what tool to use to cut the holes? I hope to do this someday...

[1972trucks]

the easiest thing i know to do for the round holes is to mark the hole really good with a marker and drill around the edges of the hole. I knocked the piece out and took my cutoff wheel with a round grinding stone and cleaned the burrs off the edges. The center vent i took the cutoff wheel and cut it but if somebody has any better ways to do it im willing to try it. I will get pics of one hole i have finished tonight.

[Old Yeller 1970]

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

Anybody want to suggest how or what tool to use to cut the holes? I hope to do this someday...

Originally Posted by 1972trucks

the easiest thing i know to do for the round holes is to mark the hole really good with a marker and drill around the edges of the hole. I knocked the piece out and took my cutoff wheel with a round grinding stone and cleaned the burrs off the edges. The center vent i took the cutoff wheel and cut it but if somebody has any better ways to do it im willing to try it. I will get pics of one hole i have finished tonight.

My suggestion would be to use a good quality correct diameter hole saw. They work best with a low speed drill, typically a bigger half inch drill as opposed to the smaller faster 3/8" drills. Add some cutting oil and you can make a very clean hole in a few minutes. I haven't ever done this on a dash but I've cut through similar gauged material many times with good success.

[gkesseru]

Other option is to use a carbide burr mounted in a die grinder. My welding supply store carries them.

[bigsnookmaster]

Originally Posted by gkesseru

Other option is to use a carbide burr mounted in a die grinder. My welding supply store carries them.

I've done it, and it's really not too bad. I drilled a smaller hole and worked to it with a carbide burr. Tape everything up first though, and Don't be Scared! Lol. Good luck!

[1972trucks]

heres a pic of the driver side vent im still working on the center vent.

[Newtz67]

Looking good!