What are my options here?

[X24]

Crap... so I was all excited to finally get a radio delete plate and cover up the opening in my dash. Turns out my opening is bigger than stock
(4 1/2" x 2 1/4")? Or is my delete plate wrong?
I don't know what to do here... you tell me.
I'd like to keep things simple and had hoped to keep the interior original OEM.
I never listen to music in the truck so even if I did put a radio in it wouldn't have to work....
Anyone know if a 67-72 delete plate would fit? They seem bigger that the 64-66 delete plates.
Any ideas?

[Cooper197]

That's tough. Looks like the right delete plate. PO definitely butchered that one for you. I would imagine you'll need to make a delete plate to fit something that big. It could probably be done fairly cheap and easily...then again I know nothing about metal fab

[yeah_yeah_na]

Maybe you could consider making a surround for the delete plate out of some stainless plate to create a kind of border around the delete plate?

[BabyBlue64]

You can also look for an old good looking radio that fits the hole. In your case it doesn't matter if the radio works.

[jayoldschool]

I'd just cut a piece of cardboard template to fill that complete shape, and make a sheetmetal piece to cover it all up. Paint it with that Fawn paint from Rustoleum that matches.

[padresag]

put a patch in

ron

[shp4man]

I think you could find a radio that would fit in the hole, whether used or one from Classic Autosounds. Just measure the face area and get a match. My truck is like that. Found an old AM radio and actually listen to the news on it.

[X24]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

I'd just cut a piece of cardboard template to fill that complete shape, and make a sheetmetal piece to cover it all up. Paint it with that Fawn paint from Rustoleum that matches.

Really? there is an aerosol Fawn paint that matches? Rustoleum you say.

i really want to try and stay OEM inside the cab.
so i decided my 1st option is to try and find an additional radio delete plate then combine the two (metalwork) to make a plate tall enough to cover the chopped opening. Followed by this magic rustoleum Fawn paint. if handled correctly it'll be one of those subtle things only you guys would ever notice.
2nd option is to find an old radio that would fit the opening...

either way i'm on the hunt again... thanks to everyone who advised.

[raidmagic]

The right thing to do would be patch it. I will do that with mine eventually but in the mean time I fabbed up a plate to hold a few gauges.

[X24]

@RaidMagic

yeah adding some gauges did cross my mind.
where did you find that box for the head unit down below there? did you repurpose something else?
BTW i dig the custom cup holder... i still havent found a cup holder i could live with yet.
though about jb welding something to the inside of the glovebox

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by X24

@RaidMagic

yeah adding some gauges did cross my mind.
where did you find that box for the head unit down below there? did you repurpose something else?
BTW i dig the custom cup holder... i still havent found a cup holder i could live with yet.
though about jb welding something to the inside of the glovebox

I built them both. The cup holder just playing around at work with some wood. I'm putting a 4 speed on the floor so I can't use it. If you shoot me your address I'll send it to you and you can have it.

The radio console I built out of sheet metal and round bar. I fabbed it up around Christmas when I was on vacation. I bolted it to the under side of the dash and screwed through a bottom flange to the firewall. Works well and is really sturdy. I thought about the glovebox but I didn't want to have to open it and reach across everytime I wanted to change the volume or song also I didn't want to lose my glove box. (I have a lot of gloves) Where it's located it's easy to reach and as convenient as my newer truck.

[The Rocknrod]

Weld in a new piece.
https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/t70902.html

[Clyde65]

I just did this, not easy but not hard either. Basically cut a patch out of a donor truck headed to promise land, have had it for 10 years at least.

[X24]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I just did this, not easy but not hard either. Basically cut a patch out of a donor truck headed to promise land, have had it for 10 years at least.

HAHAHA i love it! and i wish i had the balls to start that project but thats about 39 hours more than i can afford.

send an after pic please? looks good!

[66C10LB]

For the original look that you want, best to weld in a piece of sheet metal into the hole, grind smooth and fill weld imperfections if needed then add your delete plate.

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I just did this, not easy but not hard either. Basically cut a patch out of a donor truck headed to promise land, have had it for 10 years at least.

I just got a parts truck yesterday and was shocked to see a perfect radio hole. I wasn't sure there were any left.

[PGSigns]

If you can find a donor piece from a dash that is close to the faded color of your dash you can make some fillers to correct the hole and then use a backing piece and panel bond to tie them in. There will be a small line but no welding. There are some rattle can paints that are close to light fawn but not exact. Your filler is dark fawn from a 66. You can spray it the light fawn and it will be closer then use extra fine scotchbrite to kill the shine and give it more of the look of your dash.
Jimmy

[Clyde65]

After paint.

[Cooper197]

Second post here shows one option for you that's not cutting out the whole thing. Not sure it's a whole lot easier though.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...484601&page=15

[X24]

Originally Posted by Cooper197

Second post here shows one option for you that's not cutting out the whole thing. Not sure it's a whole lot easier though.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...484601&page=15

i did see that build thread... pretty cool how much work they did to that truck.
i think i'm gonna try and make a custom delete plate.

wish me luck