Cutting Dash for Radio?

[Tx70gmctruck]

I was wondering how much does it matter if the dash is cut to receive a newer stereo, since the older "shaft style" stereos are rare to find in working order.

Does it lower the value of the truck?

I would like to get everyones opinion on this, as i am debating whether or not to cut the dash, since me radio recently stopped getting fm reception.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Tx70gmctruck

I was wondering how much does it matter if the dash is cut t receive a newer stereo, since the older "shaft style" stereos are rare to find in working order.

Does it lower the value of the truck?

I would like to get everyones opinion on this, as i am debating whether or not to cut the dash, since me radio recently stopped getting fm reception.

[/CAN O' WORMS_OPEN]

You'll get a lot of opinions with this...

I personally would never do it, but I like the stock look except wheels and other bolt on accessories. If I were buying your truck, I'd use as negative, but that doesn't necessarily mean it hurts value. A lot of nice trucks have been sold for big $$$ with cut dashes.

[68gmsee]

Since you asked for opinions, here's mine...

I'm also of the "no cut" group. I like the stock look and have seen a lot of trucks with cut dashes but there's a lot of room in other areas to place a radio. I'm thinking of mounting a bracket for a radio on my 68 GMC using the screws on the bottom of the heater control. In my long experience with these and other vehicles of this desirability, people want original when buying. And you never know when you may have to...

There's a lot of guys here that will tell you that it's your truck and do what you want to.

[Sammy]

Personally I think most prefer non cut dash & no speaker holes in doors. Why not just install one in a console or glove box? Depending on the buyers preference most would prefer a delete plate over a cut dash.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Depending on the buyers preference most would prefer a delete plate over a cut dash.

I agree!

[tcb-1]

like the guys said, it's all up to you and your preferences. If I had the b@lls, I'd cut mine in a heartbeat to install a new style din, but I also like the original look.

darned if you do, darned if you don't. but most if not all of the high dollar custom rigs have newer style head units....... which means they cut the dash. and those truck go for some mucho dinero....

[jkade]

Well it's yours so do with it what you want I just got a new crutchfield magazine and it has a nice replacement radio made by retrosound and has a aux imput and a usb port. It is the best looking radio you could use in my opinion and is only $279

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...nd&i=068RETRO1

[Tx70gmctruck]

im all for the original look as well, but im not wanting to spend another 200 on a stereo thats going to flake out on me after a few years. the current stereo i have installed has only been in the truck for a few years, and the truck is rarely driven. if i can get a replacement to go in there for around 50 to 100 bucks or so.

yall know of any places still making the "shaft model"

[WorkinLonghorn]

Personally,if I was buying a truck and it had a non-stock radio mounted in a "cut" dash I wouldn't care a lick as long as it sounded good! If I was buying a truck and the owner removed the radio leaving a crude,messy hack-job,then I'd tell him I'm knocking X amount off my offer for his sin against originality.

[boogie67]

I have not cut mine yet but Im going to.I would never cut the dash on my 56 belair but the truck is just a truck and a new CD player looks good in the dash.

[jeffspower]

If I had a Cheyenne Super or Highlander in primo original condition, I wouldn't cut it. But I have a Custom with late model seats- so I cut it. $279 buys 2 good Kenwoods. IMO, the Retrosound looks like something from Radio Shack or JC Whitney & screams non- OE. The Custom Autosound units look good, but nearly everyone says they are junk.

[72BLUZ]

Dude!!!!!!!!!!! Don't Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jkade]

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...8000BT&tp=5684

Throw that in there, I am going to put a double din like that in mine so the heck with stock.

[retselgerg]

well in all honestly I like the look of the orginal, but i cut mine because i like to ride my truck and i enjoy the features a newer style stereo provides.....

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by boogie67

........I would never cut the dash on my 56 belair but the truck is just a truck and a new CD player looks good in the dash.

The truck is just a truck? To some of us it's a classic just like your Belair!

But it's your truck....


p.s. I used to own a 55 two door sedan with 3 duece pontiac engine and tranny and also a 56 two door hardtop with 283 and hurst floor shift.
Sho' wish I still had them...

[Husker]

Don't cut it, Put it in the glove box or something but don't cut.
Ron

[Longhorn Man]

a 2 knob radio is kinda like a points ignition system.
one step away from being WORTHLESS
Everyone and there brother will tell you to put in HEI, an internally regulated alt, steel belted radials, a smaller steering wheel, gotta have disk brakes and a brake booster... You'll get another large group saying C notch the rear of the frame and put bags under there, 18- 20 inch rubber, late model seats, and a hup holder in the ashtray.
But they'll all whine when you cut your dash.


It's YOUR truck. If YOU wanna listen to CD's in stereo, with good volume, and crystal clear FM reception and a port for your i-pod, then cut that sucker up. If you don't mind trying to slide across that long bench seat and popping the glove box door open so you can swap out your AC/DC back in black album for something just as awesome... in rush hr Dallas traffic, then go right ahead and do that.
Personally, I like being able to reach my stereo.

[boogie67]

Right ON!! Longhorn Man.

[68GMCCustom]

mine was already cut (with a Sony AM/FM/CD) when I got the truck....which just saved me the trouble of having to cut it myself.


now...on my original, matching numbers, '78 Z28 Camaro that I owned up till Dec'07....it had the old style twin knob type with a AM/FM/Cassette...and I didn't cut it, and never would have.

that said....if you're going for an original look with the truck, then leave it original. If you're building a truck to meet your wants and desires...then do what you want with it.

[wzuke]

Cut it if that's what you like! Not many trucks are 100% original. It's all a matter of what you like.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

a 2 knob radio is kinda like a points ignition system.
one step away from being WORTHLESS
Everyone and there brother will tell you to put in HEI, an internally regulated alt, steel belted radials, a smaller steering wheel, gotta have disk brakes and a brake booster... You'll get another large group saying C notch the rear of the frame and put bags under there, 18- 20 inch rubber, late model seats, and a hup holder in the ashtray.
But they'll all whine when you cut your dash.


It's YOUR truck. If YOU wanna listen to CD's in stereo, with good volume, and crystal clear FM reception and a port for your i-pod, then cut that sucker up. If you don't mind trying to slide across that long bench seat and popping the glove box door open so you can swap out your AC/DC back in black album for something just as awesome... in rush hr Dallas traffic, then go right ahead and do that.
Personally, I like being able to reach my stereo.

Andy, you make a good pont. I have never thought about it that way, and you make a great arguement.

I still ain't cuttin my dash though!

[Brad]

I'm on the fence...er, fender on this one. While I'd NEVER consider cutting my all original '68 Camaro's dash, I had no problems cutting my pieced-together '67 C-10. If your truck is as original as my Camaro, don't hack the dash! On the other hand, if it's closer to my truck- hack away.

[cobb_ben]

I was looking thru a Crutchfield mag today and say a very nice "OLD STYLE" radio in there it, it has all of the new stuff in there. And will fit in the dash no cutting! It was like $280 but most of those new radios are expensive! Can get more info if you would like me to!

[heavy71chevy]

Im with Andy on this on....slice it up baby! lol

[mrein3]

I'm firmly in the no-slice camp.
Why not buy this:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...000541/c-10101
and plug your iPod in the front? NOBODY is going to steal a $40 radio. The iPod goes in the house with you so it doesn't get stolen.

I went with a jcwhitney a few years ago (picture below). I wish it had the front input.