Radio opening - what to do? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 10-17-2004, 01:23 AM

The PO of my truck really screwed up the dash by cutting a larger opening for a radio. The holes for the knobs are gone. Looks like the opening was enlarged width wise, just beyond the holes for the knobs, but not very much in height. It had an old junky radio just shoved in the opening, not bolted in or anything. I know getting this back the way it was is more or less out of the question, but was wanting to get some ideas from you folks on how to fix this up so it looks a little more decent. Any ideas?

1969 GMC · 10-17-2004, 01:32 AM

you could put a new DIN sized head unit in the hole, or if you were extreme about restoring your truck you could cut a patch panel from a donor with a good radio hole, and weld it in to your dash.

sdkid · 10-17-2004, 01:35 AM

You could have a piece of stainless or aluminum cut to fit the recess in the dash, and cut the radio opening in that. Although I havn't thought how to attach the stainless to the dash.

71Longbed · 10-17-2004, 01:44 AM

Maybe theres a Radio delete or the other thing is just weld a patch or hell its already cut why not shove in a good head unit

ratrod67 · 10-17-2004, 10:16 AM

There's a guy who used a piece of diamond plate for a radio bezel. I remember it looking pretty good.

glock35ipsc · 10-17-2004, 10:49 AM

I have 2 couple center sections for sale if you want to weld in a new one.

Or, as suggested above, cut a piece of aluminum or stainless to go between the radio and dash metal.

ChevLoRay · 10-17-2004, 10:54 AM

One of the board members (who is in the business of selling parts) was working on a patch panel to aid in the restoration of the dash. I forget who it is, which isn't too difficult at my age.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 10-17-2004, 11:13 AM

I just cut a patch pannel from one of the truck's at the junk yard and fixed mine...

Brainchild · 10-17-2004, 02:03 PM

Mine was cut fora CD player.I had the adapter that came in a CD install kit that had the regular radio mount in it.Adapter kit was for a 90's model Caravan I think.Anyways,it just clipped into the hole,and I mounted the radio in it.
I didn't do a more permanent fix cause I'm gonna install a CD player in time,so this worked fine in my case.

67cst · 10-17-2004, 02:44 PM

im going to have to cut some aluminum checkerplate for mine, the po raped it pretty good

Fred T · 10-17-2004, 07:51 PM

I would cut a patch out of flat sheet, weld it in and convert to the modern system.

*botboy* · 10-17-2004, 08:38 PM

On my '72 PO did the same things....except it wasn't quite straight

I used some flat sheet metal off of a junk hood and smoothed it out...was going to re-cut for a CD deck but never got around to it...

longnlow72 · 10-17-2004, 10:12 PM

i cut a piece of plexi glass for a temporary fix untill i painted the truck, then i painted it silver like the trim ring on my cd player

mdazb · 10-17-2004, 10:36 PM

How is the deck mounted? This is exactley what I want to do with my 72 c10

**BIG ORANGE** · 10-17-2004, 10:46 PM

I would take another dash center and weld it in just be sure you cover the glass if you still have it in the truck!

vtblazer · 10-18-2004, 07:00 AM

As stated above several times, fix it by using another dash as a repair panel.
All depends on what your looking for as the end results though, factory/modern...

crawdad · 10-18-2004, 08:17 PM

Appreciate all the help and your ideas and pictures folks. I've got several good ideas I can run with now. Again, thanks.

10-17-2004, 01:23 AM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Radio opening - what to do? The PO of my truck really screwed up the dash by cutting a larger opening for a radio. The holes for the knobs are gone. Looks like the opening was enlarged width wise, just beyond the holes for the knobs, but not very much in height. It had an old junky radio just shoved in the opening, not bolted in or anything. I know getting this back the way it was is more or less out of the question, but was wanting to get some ideas from you folks on how to fix this up so it looks a little more decent. Any ideas? __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

10-17-2004, 01:32 AM	#2
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	you could put a new DIN sized head unit in the hole, or if you were extreme about restoring your truck you could cut a patch panel from a donor with a good radio hole, and weld it in to your dash. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

10-17-2004, 01:44 AM	#4
71Longbed Not Mine But A beauty Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern CaL Posts: 368	Maybe theres a Radio delete or the other thing is just weld a patch or hell its already cut why not shove in a good head unit __________________ 68 Chevy Shortbed 454/400 2000 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6spd 2011 Silverado 5.3 6spd auto

10-17-2004, 10:49 AM	#6
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	I have 2 couple center sections for sale if you want to weld in a new one. Or, as suggested above, cut a piece of aluminum or stainless to go between the radio and dash metal. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

10-17-2004, 10:54 AM	#7
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	One of the board members (who is in the business of selling parts) was working on a patch panel to aid in the restoration of the dash. I forget who it is, which isn't too difficult at my age. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

10-17-2004, 01:35 AM	#3
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	You could have a piece of stainless or aluminum cut to fit the recess in the dash, and cut the radio opening in that. Although I havn't thought how to attach the stainless to the dash.

10-17-2004, 10:16 AM	#5
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,270	There's a guy who used a piece of diamond plate for a radio bezel. I remember it looking pretty good.

10-17-2004, 11:13 AM	#8
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,594	I just cut a patch pannel from one of the truck's at the junk yard and fixed mine... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-17-2004, 02:03 PM	#9
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Mine was cut fora CD player.I had the adapter that came in a CD install kit that had the regular radio mount in it.Adapter kit was for a 90's model Caravan I think.Anyways,it just clipped into the hole,and I mounted the radio in it. I didn't do a more permanent fix cause I'm gonna install a CD player in time,so this worked fine in my case. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

10-17-2004, 02:44 PM	#10
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	im going to have to cut some aluminum checkerplate for mine, the po raped it pretty good __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

10-17-2004, 07:51 PM	#11
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I would cut a patch out of flat sheet, weld it in and convert to the modern system. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

10-17-2004, 08:38 PM	#12
botboy Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delano, MN Posts: 630	On my '72 PO did the same things....except it wasn't quite straight I used some flat sheet metal off of a junk hood and smoothed it out...was going to re-cut for a CD deck but never got around to it...

10-17-2004, 10:12 PM	#13
longnlow72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: SW Washington Posts: 947	i cut a piece of plexi glass for a temporary fix untill i painted the truck, then i painted it silver like the trim ring on my cd player Attached Images __________________ 72 Chevy lwb, cowl hood, shaved antenna, shaved bedrails, blazer tank, sidemarker fill, 1pc windows, flowmaster 40's, alpine deck, infinity 6x9's, infinity 4"ers, 2 jl audio 10w0's, grant wheel, keyless entry and alarm, more waiting to be done...

10-17-2004, 10:36 PM	#14
mdazb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 75	How is the deck mounted? This is exactley what I want to do with my 72 c10

10-17-2004, 10:46 PM	#15
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,752	I would take another dash center and weld it in just be sure you cover the glass if you still have it in the truck! __________________ Things happen for a reason!



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10-18-2004, 07:00 AM	#16
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Fix It As stated above several times, fix it by using another dash as a repair panel. All depends on what your looking for as the end results though, factory/modern... Attached Images

10-18-2004, 08:17 PM	#17
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Appreciate all the help and your ideas and pictures folks. I've got several good ideas I can run with now. Again, thanks. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.