Cutting Dash for Radio?

[orange72c10]

I personally won't cut my dash, I actually never turn the radio on much because I like the sound of the dual flowmasters so much better

I actually found a 2 knob radio that my dad had in storage and put that in my 72. I have a two knob Kenwood in my 78 elcamino also which sounds god also, a good thing for me is my family doesn't get rid of much so all these head units were on the shelf!!

[sleepyboy]

look below

[Brock]

More than one person on here has mentioned that they wouldn't pay as much for a truck that has the dash cut compared to one that is original...I don't know how much less but if its a considerable amount then you could take that "lost" cash and get a radio that doesn't require the cut. Here's one from ebay thats actually a 10 disc changer AND has audio input so you can use your MP3

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/47-53...m380026348708&

Then again if you plan on keeping your truck until either you or it dies then what does it matter what the value is...its your truck and ALWAYS will be your truck do with it what you want.

[unreconstructed1]

let me ask you this. are you going to drive the truck, or are you going to use it as a restoration show truck?

I haven't cut my dash yet, but thats mainly because I want to figure out which radio I want in it.

any time you cut into a classic, folks are gonna complain, but to me, as long as it looks good, and you like it, who cares?

[JayDubBlazer]

I think a radio with a remote is the safest way to go. Its better that fumbling with the knobs or reaching over to hit a button. With that said either way is ok.

[68gmsee]

As 67_C-30 said at the beginning, this would open up a can of worms....

Tx70gmctruck asked for our opinion and we gave it. I think he really just wants to see what we thought about cutting his truck. There's always pros and cons to this type of thing.

Even though it seems like some us take it personally when we give an opinion on the subject of "to cut or not," most of us don't care what a person does with his truck. This is all a personal choice.

If you do a good, clean job and install a radio of your choice that looks and sounds good- just cruise and enjoy. That,s all that really matters....

[Tx70gmctruck]

Originally Posted by unreconstructed1

let me ask you this. are you going to drive the truck, or are you going to use it as a restoration show truck?

I haven't cut my dash yet, but thats mainly because I want to figure out which radio I want in it.

any time you cut into a classic, folks are gonna complain, but to me, as long as it looks good, and you like it, who cares?

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

As 67_C-30 said at the beginning, this would open up a can of worms....

Tx70gmctruck asked for our opinion and we gave it. I think he really just wants to see what we thought about cutting his truck. There's always pros and cons to this type of thing.

Even though it seems like some us take it personally when we give an opinion on the subject of "to cut or not," most of us don't care what a person does with his truck. This is all a personal choice.

If you do a good, clean job and install a radio of your choice that looks and sounds good- just cruise and enjoy. That,s all that really matters....

unreconstructed1: Most of the time the truck is in the garage, i had the thought of entering some shows. I also just like to hear quality music when cruising.


68gmsee: I had a feeling it would open a can of worms, but i really wanted to see how everyone feels about cut dashes.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Tx70gmctruck

unreconstructed1: Most of the time the truck is in the garage, i had the thought of entering some shows. I also just like to hear quality music when cruising.


68gmsee: I had a feeling it would open a can of worms, but i really wanted to see how everyone feels about cut dashes.

Gotcha! Since it's not a daily driver and you're thinking of entering it in shows it must be a nice truck. So, dont cut it... (just reopened the can)

[Sinister]

I thought long and hard about this. I didn't want to cut it, but wasn't able to find a stereo that fit with the options I wanted, plus the installs of aftermarket stereos I've seen look clean. I'll be cutting my dash next week, I'll let you know how it goes.

[ChevyDude]

Get this...I say no cut the radio/dash...but I had no problem cutting the frame to make a long bed a short bed, LOL...Go figure.

[b&a72]

I fall into the cut it up group. If I were out looking for a new 67-72 a cut dash with a new radio in it would not make a darn bit of difference to me.

[JAKES 68GMC]

At first I didnt want to cut my dash up, so I bought a plastic radio box and put it under the dash, just above your right leg (only place it'd fit where i could reach it).

After kicking the wires out of the CD player at least a dozen times while driving, and kicking it all the time while getting in and out of the truck, I decided to cut the dash and put the CD player in there. And, it was probably one of my best quick cheap mods I've done to the truck. I just took my time and didn't do a hackjob, and it looks great and works even better.

JUST CUT THE DASH!!!

[cobb_ben]

Check out this stero. Its the shaft style new radio that you would have to cut the dash and have "orginial" look. But its your truck you do what you want!

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...RETRO1&tp=5684

[67 cst swb]

Ok, Here's my thoughts... er... Plan...
I'm going to run a stock AM radio with a stock single dash speaker in the stock uncut dash... BUT, Mounting an Alpine AM/FM/CD/Ipod capatible unit with a remote. Bought it for about $250.00 (or so ???)
Because... our trucks are very easy to break into, and it's easy to hide a remote, but not so easy to hide a modern stereo in the dash.
Now, do I care if you cut your dash? NO... just keep a repair panel for the cut radio hole. You can always refill the cut area back to stock, kinda like filling a marker light hole, just use a stock radio hole panel from a rusty, going to the crusher cab...

[jeff messenger]

My God!!!!!!
Dont Do It They Make Plenty Of Radios To Fit These Trucks Now A Days. I Did It To My First Truck (71) Sorry Ever Since.
Jeff

[larry may]

I picked a radio at Best Buy they installed it works great took them less than an hour. I did not think they cut the dash. Guess they could have! Why not check them out and ask if the cutting is necessary. They did add a cover in front of the radio to secure it from falling out. Customers are not allowed in their shop . Best buy may have one to fit. That was said when I asked."We have one that will fit your ride" Now I wonder . But not removing it to see. lol

[Mudder]

Hmmmm, mines cut, wondering if that's why I can never get TOTM.

Sure sounds good.

[hotrod 80]

I cut mine . Mines a driver . Take your time and make it look right .

[Tx70gmctruck]

Originally Posted by JAKES 68GMC

At first I didnt want to cut my dash up, so I bought a plastic radio box and put it under the dash, just above your right leg (only place it'd fit where i could reach it).

After kicking the wires out of the CD player at least a dozen times while driving, and kicking it all the time while getting in and out of the truck, I decided to cut the dash and put the CD player in there. And, it was probably one of my best quick cheap mods I've done to the truck. I just took my time and didn't do a hackjob, and it looks great and works even better.

JUST CUT THE DASH!!!

Originally Posted by larry may

I picked a radio at Best Buy they installed it works great took them less than an hour. I did not think they cut the dash. Guess they could have! Why not check them out and ask if the cutting is necessary. They did add a cover in front of the radio to secure it from falling out. Customers are not allowed in their shop . Best buy may have one to fit. That was said when I asked."We have one that will fit your ride" Now I wonder . But not removing it to see. lol

Jakes68gmc: do you have any pictures of the box setup?

Larrymay: do you have any pictures of the stereo from best buy installed in your truck?

I know i would be pissed if i took my truck in to have them install a stereo, and they didnt tell me they were going to cut the dash.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I don't have the box still set up in the truck, but I can get u some pics of the box itself if you want.

[Shane]

as much as we love these old trucks, they're still just trucks ... no Bloomington Gold 100 point Corvette stuff here guys, just a truck.

don't be a sissy, cut it.

[67_C-30]

Ok, so let's say you cut you dash for a cool new CD player...

While your at it, go ahead and cut a hole in the top for a sunroof or a CB antenna and bolt a Camaro spoiler up there for good measure. Might as well go ahead and cut some holes in the fenders for some of those groovy Buick portholes - or better yet, NINETEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN TRANS AM NON-FUNCTIONAL AIR SCOOPS! You can't go wrong with BANDIT parts, right? Top it off with some nice big drilled holes for the fiberglass fender flares, a few in the side for those sporty grab handles, and make sure to cut holes in the bedside for a set of super-trick aluminum foot steps. YEAH! Far out, baby!

That was cool once wasn't it?

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

Ok, so let's say you cut you dash for a cool new CD player...

While your at it, go ahead and cut a hole in the top for a sunroof or a CB antenna and bolt a Camaro spoiler up there for good measure. Might as well go ahead and cut some holes in the fenders for some of those groovy Buick portholes - or better yet, NINETEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN TRANS AM NON-FUNCTIONAL AIR SCOOPS! You can't go wrong with BANDIT parts, right? Top it off with some nice big drilled holes for the fiberglass fender flares, a few in the side for those sporty grab handles, and make sure to cut holes in the bedside for a set of super-trick aluminum foot steps. YEAH! Far out, baby!

That was cool once wasn't it?

can i add fender flares to cover those sweet Pro-Trac "racing profile" N-50's on Cragar SS/T's too? An aluminum wing would also look boss

[68GMCCustom]

...you forgot drilling holes in the bed for a "cosmetic" chrome roll bar (w/lights of course).


....all fun aside. I go with Chip Foose's way of thinking. If the modifications actually improve the vehicle....then they can't be all bad.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

...you forgot drilling holes in the bed for a "cosmetic" chrome roll bar (w/lights of course).


....all fun aside. I go with Chip Foose's way of thinking. If the modifications actually improve the vehicle....then they can't be all bad.

Improving the vehicle is in the eye of the beholder. Chip Foose is the same guy that shaves door handles, moves placement of headlights and taillights, does body modifications and installs hideous custom interiors and wheels on classic musclecars like Chevelles, 4-4-2's, Camaros, etc. There's a reason there's no flashy colors or guy a doing cartwheels painted in the backdrop of the Mona Lisa - IT DOESN'T NEED IT!