Aftermarket radio install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dark Knight · 08-28-2011, 10:20 PM

Gotta question for ya'll. When switching to an aftermarket radio in the 88-94 trucks, what has everyone done with the hole above the a/c controls? I know they sell a little pocket that goes in there, but I want something a little more useful to me. Right now I still have the stock head unit in there, so I have 2 radios.

I was thinking of putting some diamond plate in there, but I really don't wanna fab up anything cause I'm lazy like that.

QKENUF4U · 08-28-2011, 11:04 PM

the pocket is the most useful thing other than cup holders we will have in this truck... i miss my 96 z71 interior.. it was the most useful interior ive ever sat in..... loved that truck..

dishow · 08-29-2011, 03:06 AM

some poeple have mounted a tach, guages, and switches.

Dark Knight · 08-29-2011, 09:36 AM

Hmm. That would be an excellent place to put a tach. I was wanting to put one in, but never thought of a good spot. Well, there's my next project.

Matt Mann · 08-29-2011, 12:23 PM

ive got a new sony head unit in my '92 C1500... the OEM cassette deck is history, as well as the computer control unit for the radio... the only thing thats left is the control unit above the defroster controls, but I have gotten a junk one from a wrecked truck, and I'm gonna take a dremel to it, and cut it apart, then cut down a piece of lexan painted to match, and glue that to the back side of it to cover the holes..

I'm hoping i can find an LED clock and gauge to fit in there Trans temp, maybe? I'm not really worried about what kind of gauge just yet, but I miss having a working clock.

I'll post pics when i get it done...

Hoods69BadBowTie · 08-31-2011, 12:13 AM

Yea I have the pocket space that's the way mine came when I got it. I think putting a tach there would be pretty sweet though. Keep us posted on this and how it turns out

Posted via Mobile Device

jim-bob · 08-31-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Mann

ive got a new sony head unit in my '92 C1500... the OEM cassette deck is history, as well as the computer control unit for the radio... the only thing thats left is the control unit above the defroster controls, but I have gotten a junk one from a wrecked truck, and I'm gonna take a dremel to it, and cut it apart, then cut down a piece of lexan painted to match, and glue that to the back side of it to cover the holes..

I'm hoping i can find an LED clock and gauge to fit in there Trans temp, maybe? I'm not really worried about what kind of gauge just yet, but I miss having a working clock.

I'll post pics when i get it done...

..I'm wanting to see what you come up with for clock..that's a great idea!

Dark Knight · 08-31-2011, 09:50 AM

I don't know when I'll get to it, but a piece of sheet metal or diamond plate would look nice in there. My local parts house has a 2 1/2" tach for $30 that would look nice in there and they also have a LCD clock with an adhesive back. Maybe a couple toggle switches below that. Just in case I ever wanna throw some accessories on later. I've been wanting a tach, but I wanna keep my "moonie" cluster too because it's so darn cool.

TURFKING · 08-31-2011, 07:38 PM

This is food for thought. Ordering a similar set up for a '93. Need the pocket/cubby hole but don't trust the stock gauges.

Richie · 08-31-2011, 08:23 PM

I took the radio out and removed all the insides.Peeled off the silver faceplate and cut me a 1/16" thick piece of aluminum the same size as the faceplate "decal".I painted it grey and left it plain for a while.I recently made an Ipod holder and used the plate to mount it on.

narizon · 09-06-2011, 07:12 PM

I installed a B&M Trans gauge & Vac gauge in the radio delete pocket,worked out perfect.I believe it give a clean look to the interior.
The gauges are always easy to see day or night & I can still use the pocket for the stereo controller.Still wanted a Tach seeing as my '89 didn't come with one so I placed a Sun Pro Mini on the steering wheel,again perfect size & fit.Didn't block the MPH #'s at all & not to flashy/big can staring back at you all the time.....
Simple to do & highly recommended mod.

Dark Knight · 09-06-2011, 11:32 PM

Well guys, I finally got a delete plate installed. (Homemade of course!) It's just some MDF, aluminum sheet, and some screws. I put a SunPro mini tach in there with 2 toggle switches to the left of it. Pics later.

narizon,

to the board from Texas! I like your setup. Ooooh! You've got stock cup holders too! I gotta see if I can nab some at the junkyard...

mountie · 09-12-2011, 02:55 AM

I put my GPS in the old head unit hole. Fits perfect.

narizon · 09-12-2011, 12:42 PM

Dark Knight,any pics of install yet ??????
Also what color is your truck?????

08-28-2011, 10:20 PM	#1
Dark Knight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleak, Texas Posts: 420	Aftermarket radio install Gotta question for ya'll. When switching to an aftermarket radio in the 88-94 trucks, what has everyone done with the hole above the a/c controls? I know they sell a little pocket that goes in there, but I want something a little more useful to me. Right now I still have the stock head unit in there, so I have 2 radios. I was thinking of putting some diamond plate in there, but I really don't wanna fab up anything cause I'm lazy like that. __________________ -1967 Chevrolet Fleetside LWB- 350 V8 w/thumpr cam, NV3500, 3.08 gears, A/C, PS -1983 Chevy Silverado C1500- 383 stroker, TH400 -1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 SWB- 5.3L swap, 700R4, 3.42 gears -And a '66 Ford Mustang- 200 I6, C4 trans, rust bucket "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR (and maybe rust too) You've gotta be able to stop and steer before you can go fast!

08-28-2011, 11:04 PM	#2
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Aftermarket radio install the pocket is the most useful thing other than cup holders we will have in this truck... i miss my 96 z71 interior.. it was the most useful interior ive ever sat in..... loved that truck..

08-29-2011, 03:06 AM	#3
dishow Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: pa. Posts: 1,185	Re: Aftermarket radio install some poeple have mounted a tach, guages, and switches. __________________ 67 chevy c 10 2x4 350/700r4 short/fleet 90 Chevy 1500 4x4 350/5 spd short/fleet 90 Chevy 454 ss 93 chevy camaro z28 auto t-tops 2013 Chevy Silverado LT CCSB 4x4

08-29-2011, 09:36 AM	#4
Dark Knight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleak, Texas Posts: 420	Re: Aftermarket radio install Hmm. That would be an excellent place to put a tach. I was wanting to put one in, but never thought of a good spot. Well, there's my next project. __________________ -1967 Chevrolet Fleetside LWB- 350 V8 w/thumpr cam, NV3500, 3.08 gears, A/C, PS -1983 Chevy Silverado C1500- 383 stroker, TH400 -1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 SWB- 5.3L swap, 700R4, 3.42 gears -And a '66 Ford Mustang- 200 I6, C4 trans, rust bucket "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR (and maybe rust too) You've gotta be able to stop and steer before you can go fast!

08-29-2011, 12:23 PM	#5
Matt Mann Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: camden, sc Posts: 84	Re: Aftermarket radio install ive got a new sony head unit in my '92 C1500... the OEM cassette deck is history, as well as the computer control unit for the radio... the only thing thats left is the control unit above the defroster controls, but I have gotten a junk one from a wrecked truck, and I'm gonna take a dremel to it, and cut it apart, then cut down a piece of lexan painted to match, and glue that to the back side of it to cover the holes.. I'm hoping i can find an LED clock and gauge to fit in there Trans temp, maybe? I'm not really worried about what kind of gauge just yet, but I miss having a working clock. I'll post pics when i get it done...

08-31-2011, 12:13 AM	#6
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Aftermarket radio install Yea I have the pocket space that's the way mine came when I got it. I think putting a tach there would be pretty sweet though. Keep us posted on this and how it turns out Posted via Mobile Device __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

08-31-2011, 09:50 AM	#8
Dark Knight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleak, Texas Posts: 420	Re: Aftermarket radio install I don't know when I'll get to it, but a piece of sheet metal or diamond plate would look nice in there. My local parts house has a 2 1/2" tach for $30 that would look nice in there and they also have a LCD clock with an adhesive back. Maybe a couple toggle switches below that. Just in case I ever wanna throw some accessories on later. I've been wanting a tach, but I wanna keep my "moonie" cluster too because it's so darn cool. __________________ -1967 Chevrolet Fleetside LWB- 350 V8 w/thumpr cam, NV3500, 3.08 gears, A/C, PS -1983 Chevy Silverado C1500- 383 stroker, TH400 -1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 SWB- 5.3L swap, 700R4, 3.42 gears -And a '66 Ford Mustang- 200 I6, C4 trans, rust bucket "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR (and maybe rust too) You've gotta be able to stop and steer before you can go fast!

08-31-2011, 07:38 PM	#9
TURFKING Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: williamsburg,virginia Posts: 55	Re: Aftermarket radio install This is food for thought. Ordering a similar set up for a '93. Need the pocket/cubby hole but don't trust the stock gauges.

08-31-2011, 08:23 PM	#10
Richie 4:13 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: St. Cloud, Florida Posts: 500	Re: Aftermarket radio install I took the radio out and removed all the insides.Peeled off the silver faceplate and cut me a 1/16" thick piece of aluminum the same size as the faceplate "decal".I painted it grey and left it plain for a while.I recently made an Ipod holder and used the plate to mount it on.

09-06-2011, 07:12 PM	#11
narizon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hollister Ca Posts: 5	Re: Aftermarket radio install I installed a B&M Trans gauge & Vac gauge in the radio delete pocket,worked out perfect.I believe it give a clean look to the interior. The gauges are always easy to see day or night & I can still use the pocket for the stereo controller.Still wanted a Tach seeing as my '89 didn't come with one so I placed a Sun Pro Mini on the steering wheel,again perfect size & fit.Didn't block the MPH #'s at all & not to flashy/big can staring back at you all the time..... Simple to do & highly recommended mod.

09-06-2011, 11:32 PM	#12
Dark Knight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleak, Texas Posts: 420	Re: Aftermarket radio install Well guys, I finally got a delete plate installed. (Homemade of course!) It's just some MDF, aluminum sheet, and some screws. I put a SunPro mini tach in there with 2 toggle switches to the left of it. Pics later. narizon, to the board from Texas! I like your setup. Ooooh! You've got stock cup holders too! I gotta see if I can nab some at the junkyard... __________________ -1967 Chevrolet Fleetside LWB- 350 V8 w/thumpr cam, NV3500, 3.08 gears, A/C, PS -1983 Chevy Silverado C1500- 383 stroker, TH400 -1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 SWB- 5.3L swap, 700R4, 3.42 gears -And a '66 Ford Mustang- 200 I6, C4 trans, rust bucket "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR (and maybe rust too) You've gotta be able to stop and steer before you can go fast!

09-12-2011, 02:55 AM	#13
mountie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bradenton, Fla. Posts: 1,100	Re: Aftermarket radio install I put my GPS in the old head unit hole. Fits perfect.

09-12-2011, 12:42 PM	#14
narizon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hollister Ca Posts: 5	Re: Aftermarket radio install Dark Knight,any pics of install yet ?????? Also what color is your truck?????



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