Options for Repairing Hacked Radio Hole - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

avejoe · 01-18-2005, 02:00 AM

What is the best way to repair a hacked radio hole? I was hoping to replace the whole dash but after removing a donor dash today I don't see anyway to do this without removing the front glass.

Has anybody welded in a repair patch that came out looking good?

Anybody have any pictures of a fix?

Thanks!

**special-K** · 01-18-2005, 02:10 AM

I think there is a patch panel made.Don`t know who or where.Anybody?I have one that`s cut for a cheezy AM/FM/CD,doesn`t even work.I plan on buying a quality CD player.That`s how I`ll fix mine.I`d never cut one,but,if it already is...Good tunes ain`t bad.

stllookn · 01-18-2005, 04:07 AM

I welded a patch into mine without any problems. Just like welding a patch panel any other place on the truck. I will try to get some pics.

*dtlilly* · 01-18-2005, 04:52 AM

You could always cut the dash under where the dash pad goes, that way no matter how bad your welding looks, it will be covered up.

vtblazer · 01-18-2005, 08:16 AM

Been there, done that.

The dash metal is rather thin, becareful.

70c10 · 01-18-2005, 08:34 AM

On my dads truck he cut the center section out of another truck with a cordless sawzall and welded it in with no problems. I'll post pics soon.

3 on the tree · 01-18-2005, 11:22 AM

How bout using a radio delete panel and spot welding from the backside? Then cut the panel for whatever radio you want.

454_72_4X4 · 01-18-2005, 12:30 PM

I cut an aluminum panel to cover mine up. It covers the original radio holes and where the ashtray was. Hated that damn ashtray anyway. I bolted it to the dash with some allen button heads bolts. Not show quality but it looked alright I guess. Trouble is now it's been "remodeled" a couple of times for different radio combinations and I need to build another one!

junkyardjohn · 01-18-2005, 01:29 PM

IF YOU CUT VERTICALLY THRU THE GLOVE BOX HOLE, & THRU THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HOLE. THEN HORIZONTALLY UNDER THE DASH PAD, ALL YOUR WELDS WILL BE PRETTY MUCH COVERED UP, REQUIRING VERY LITTLE BODY WORK.

JOHN

avejoe · 01-18-2005, 02:25 PM

I'm going for the stock look so if it looks like I put in a patch I'm not gaining anything.

I've tried my hand at welding and you will not be seeing me on the Discovery or Speed Channel anytime soon.

I think the best bet is to cut the middle out and use the dash and glovebox opening to hide most of the welds. The problem is welding the support channel that runs under the bottom of the dash well enough to keep the structural integrity of the dash.

GTSideSwipe · 10-22-2015, 08:41 PM

I recently purchased this patch panel because the PO hacked the dash for a newer radio install. Surprisingly the original speaker was still in the dash. I got a original radio on ebay and am planning on installing it soon.

Patch panel: http://www.motorcityk5.com/dashbezel...kup-1-1-1.aspx

9teen69 · 10-22-2015, 09:20 PM

Classic sells the same piece and they often run 15 or 20% off. But like you mentioned... lots of welding.
http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...ts/t71098.html

*Fitz* · 10-22-2015, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avejoe

Has anybody welded in a repair patch that came out looking good?

Anybody have any pictures of a fix?

Thanks!

You will have to decide if it looks good to you or not, but there's NO bondo or filler on my dash, just a piece of 18 ga sheet tigged into a new hole that removed both radio and ash tray. There are purists here that hate this look because i didn't use the ashtray and radio delete panels but it sure did fix the hack job the PO did!

**LockDoc** · 10-22-2015, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

You will have to decide if it looks good to you or not, but there's NO bondo or filler on my dash, just a piece of 18 ga sheet tigged into a new hole that removed both radio and ash tray. There are purists here that hate this look because i didn't use the ashtray and radio delete panels but it sure did fix the hack job the PO did!

Thing is it looks good with the theme of your truck....

LockDoc

GTSideSwipe · 10-22-2015, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9teen69

Classic sells the same piece and they often run 15 or 20% off. But like you mentioned... lots of welding.
http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...ts/t71098.html

It is alot of welding but if it's done right then to me it's worth it in the end.

57larry · 10-23-2015, 11:04 AM

I cut my dash under the dash pad, a good fix

01-18-2005, 02:00 AM	#1
avejoe Custer had a plan too. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: No. California Posts: 344	Options for Repairing Hacked Radio Hole What is the best way to repair a hacked radio hole? I was hoping to replace the whole dash but after removing a donor dash today I don't see anyway to do this without removing the front glass. Has anybody welded in a repair patch that came out looking good? Anybody have any pictures of a fix? Thanks! __________________ 72 K15 GMC (aka Big White) Performance Rockers, Cab Corners, and Floors Fossil Fuel Glutton Neighborhood Nuisance 98 BMW 540i for Speed (Sold ) 05 Subaru Outback for mileage

01-18-2005, 02:10 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	I think there is a patch panel made.Don`t know who or where.Anybody?I have one that`s cut for a cheezy AM/FM/CD,doesn`t even work.I plan on buying a quality CD player.That`s how I`ll fix mine.I`d never cut one,but,if it already is...Good tunes ain`t bad. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-18-2005, 04:07 AM	#3
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I welded a patch into mine without any problems. Just like welding a patch panel any other place on the truck. I will try to get some pics. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

01-18-2005, 08:16 AM	#5
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Been there, done that. The dash metal is rather thin, becareful. Attached Images

01-18-2005, 08:34 AM	#6
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	On my dads truck he cut the center section out of another truck with a cordless sawzall and welded it in with no problems. I'll post pics soon. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

01-18-2005, 04:52 AM	#4
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	You could always cut the dash under where the dash pad goes, that way no matter how bad your welding looks, it will be covered up.

01-18-2005, 11:22 AM	#7
3 on the tree Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 392	How bout using a radio delete panel and spot welding from the backside? Then cut the panel for whatever radio you want.

01-18-2005, 12:30 PM	#8
454_72_4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.E. MO Posts: 1,749	I cut an aluminum panel to cover mine up. It covers the original radio holes and where the ashtray was. Hated that damn ashtray anyway. I bolted it to the dash with some allen button heads bolts. Not show quality but it looked alright I guess. Trouble is now it's been "remodeled" a couple of times for different radio combinations and I need to build another one! __________________ 72 C20 4X4 454 4 speed 89 Trans Am (was) 305 TPI 700r4 93 C1500 2wd Extended cab 350 700r4 98 Sonoma (TPI outa the Trans Am) 03 Yamaha 660 Raptor 03/04 660 Raptor 07 700 Raptor 85 Honda Odyssey

01-18-2005, 01:29 PM	#9
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	IF YOU CUT VERTICALLY THRU THE GLOVE BOX HOLE, & THRU THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HOLE. THEN HORIZONTALLY UNDER THE DASH PAD, ALL YOUR WELDS WILL BE PRETTY MUCH COVERED UP, REQUIRING VERY LITTLE BODY WORK. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

01-18-2005, 02:25 PM	#10
avejoe Custer had a plan too. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: No. California Posts: 344	I'm going for the stock look so if it looks like I put in a patch I'm not gaining anything. I've tried my hand at welding and you will not be seeing me on the Discovery or Speed Channel anytime soon. I think the best bet is to cut the middle out and use the dash and glovebox opening to hide most of the welds. The problem is welding the support channel that runs under the bottom of the dash well enough to keep the structural integrity of the dash. __________________ 72 K15 GMC (aka Big White) Performance Rockers, Cab Corners, and Floors Fossil Fuel Glutton Neighborhood Nuisance 98 BMW 540i for Speed (Sold ) 05 Subaru Outback for mileage

10-22-2015, 08:41 PM	#11
GTSideSwipe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Puyallup WA Posts: 127	Re: Options for Repairing Hacked Radio Hole I recently purchased this patch panel because the PO hacked the dash for a newer radio install. Surprisingly the original speaker was still in the dash. I got a original radio on ebay and am planning on installing it soon. Patch panel: http://www.motorcityk5.com/dashbezel...kup-1-1-1.aspx Attached Images

10-22-2015, 09:20 PM	#12
9teen69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,048	Re: Options for Repairing Hacked Radio Hole Classic sells the same piece and they often run 15 or 20% off. But like you mentioned... lots of welding. http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...ts/t71098.html Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives)

10-23-2015, 11:04 AM	#16
57larry Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,161	Re: Options for Repairing Hacked Radio Hole I cut my dash under the dash pad, a good fix



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