Need your input please....

[ChevyDude]

Ok I know this has been hashed over more than once,,,,Cutting the dash for a modern CD Player. I have always been on the side of "NOT" to cut the dash if it had not been done by the PO and to re-locate your modern radio somewhere else. Well, I've got to the point where I am installing a nice modern high powered stereo system and the more I look at it the more I keep telling myself to "Just go ahead and cut the dash for the radio". This is a 71' SWB that orignally came with no radio and still has the cowl without the antenna hole. I am not going to drill out the cowl by any means, the antenna will be placed somewhere else. The deck I purchased is a Pioneer Premier DEH-P960MP which in a single DIN unit. Should I carefully remove enough metal to fit it in the dash....or should I mount it somewhere else and preserve the orginal look with the delete plate that I have??? I was thinking if I carefully cut the dash I could save the pieces and they could always be welded back in???

Thanks for you input.

[chevybill]

I will probably cut the dash when my truck goes back together, these trucks are not the rare collectibles that corvettes are. They only mean something to us as the owners.

You see a few factory restored trucks, but for the most part they are a result of our automotive individualism.

I have considered a custom made console for a modern radio as well, either in the usual place or an overhead cosole for the radio. Regardless we will all have a big unused space if we don't use the original space for the radio.

[64fleetside]

I debated this on my 64, & finally decided we are NOT going back to AM & I didn't want to operate a radio in the glove box or other hidden area. I was careful & cut & installed a CD player & I couldn't be happier. I used a kinda plain one as I thought it would look out of place with lots of lights,graphics, etc. I used 2 4x6 plates in the OE speaker location & hid 2 5x7s under the seat. Sounds good but I need a sub, not quite enough bass. Brian http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/peepeeman00/my_photos

[cduster]

I'd cut it and put it in the dash. Save the space for other stuff.
Dan

[Woody]

Do what will make you happy. If the truck isn't going to be restored as a show piece, then cut it and use the dash to hold the new radio. It will be where it belongs, be within your reach and should look good setting there.

There are alternatives if you really don't what to cut the dash.
such as the Glove Box, under the seat, below the dash, in a console...

[greasemonkey]

Hack away!!

[GreyHoundSteve]

Personally i would cut it. It's YOUR truck now so do what YOU want with it. Now as far as my decision process goes .... i guess it depends on what your trying to do with your truck. If your keeping everything else stock on the vehicle then i would go through the extra trouble of relocating the deck somewhere else but if you plan to do other mods that will update the apearance of your truck then go ahead and cut it .... if its cut right then im sure the next owner will thank you vs being upset with you.

Ive never seen ANY head unit that fir tyhe factory opening that didnt look goofy. EVERYONE with a decent stereo usually cuts this out and replaces it with a modern unit. Just dont make a mess and im sure no one will mind.

[ChevyDude]

They truck has definetly been restored to a show piece...Just not an original show piece. I went at it in the "Resto-Mod" fashion...and that's why I'm leaning towards the cutting of the dash.

[ckhd]

I don't approve of cutting dashes, but the bottom line is it's YOUR pickup! Cut it if that's what you want to do. If someone gets grumpy with you, tell them what they can do.

[jorgensensc]

I am having a similar dilemma with the '56 Bel Air I have. it also has the delete plate and no antennae hole. Here is my solution:
I am going to figure out a way to mount the radio behind the delete plate. Then I will somehow hinge the plate so that it will swing down to get to the radio behind it. I haven't got it all figured out yet, but hopefully I will soon. If you figure it out before me please take some pics so I can imitate your design. I will do the same if I get it done before you, but I seriously doubt I will.

[bagged91]

I don't believe in cutting dashes either. I am putting my STOCK AM/FM in the dash where it belongs and I am putting my MODERN AM/FM/CD player in a GM Tissue dispenser mounted under the dash. They look clean & fit perfectly inside them and no damage to the dash SHOULD you ever decide to sell the truck to someone who may not want the DIN hole in there...

[70 shorty]

Hey jorgen, you have a good idea, but keep in mind, you won't have room to put a CD though if that's what you are aiming for. However if you're planning using a changer, then I think you've got a great idea.

[67ChevyRedneck]

If you really don't want to hack your dash you can get a "new" stereo that has am/fm cassette and hookups for a cd changer from custom autosounds... http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm#stereo but it will cost you about 380 bucks minus the cd changer. The previous owner of my truck made my radio decision for me by hacking the dash, so I straightened up the cuts and put in a 240W sony x-plod cd player with a wood insert. I think it looks cool. So I would say hack away....but to the guy with the 56 bel air....I personally think that should be unhackable! I also like the smooth cowl. I got one from a junkyard that didn't have a hole and put it on my truck.....but where to put the antenna??? I bought a cheap Wal-Mart antenna and drilled a hole next to my gas tank behind the seat. The antenna is completely hidden and with a power booster, don't know where to get one...it was in my truck when I bought it, I have good reception....

[bigblock73]

I don't care for cut dashes either...so I am going to purchase a Custom Autosound stereo and hide the CD changer behind the seat. From what I gather, CA units are pretty nice and of good quality, plus they have the built in changer controls.

EDIT - 67chevyredneck, you beat me to the punch.

[4x4Poet]

It sounds like you don't have a remote, so you want the head unit within sight and easy reach of the driver. Only in-dash, under-dash, in a center console, in an overhead rack/console, or in front of the seat mounted vertically qualify. In an overhead rack would be second best. Since you have a 4x4, in an overhead rack made part of an in-cab cage would be best. With either, no cut dash and out of sight of thieves. With the cage, you could mount & lock the head unit in a rack made of 1/4" steel plate that thieves can't easily cut like the dash. Choose away.

For the posters who didn't notice that ChevyDude already purchased a deck, a CAS AM/FM unit with CD changer but no cassette unit has no worries. But a CAS AM/FM cassette player, with or without CD changer hook ups, lacks both Metal/CrO2 equalization capability & Dolby B Noise reduction, so beware if you use CrO2 or Dolby B recorded tapes, since with a CAS casssette player you'll get distorted sound quality.

[ChevyDude]

It's not a cassette deck...It's the Pioneers top of the line CD, MP3, XM ready deck.

[greasemonkey]

jorgensen, here is slammed67's radio, sounds like what you are trying to do.


Very clean install.

[neonlarry]

I don't know anything about the sound quality of CAS head units but if they sound anything like their speakers I sure wouldn't buy one. I put in one of their dash speakers and it sounds lousy.

[TugOwar]

As already stated, it's your truck, do what makes you happy. You are the one who drives it and has to feel comfortable operating the stereo while driving safely. So if in the dash is the most comfortable place for you then go for it.

I always liked the look and feel of an over head console. When money allows it I'll put a am/fm stereo in the factory hole and put a cd player over head.

Here is a question: Will a cd deck work properly mounted in a vertical position??

[boraxman]

Cut it and install a bumpin system

[formerfordguy]

do it DO IT ...well......errr.......do what you want its YOUR truck

[Guys 71]

I like how you have a cover over it so that it looks like you dont have a stereo i would try to keep it that way

[72_Chev_Truck]

ive cut my dash, on both my 70 and 72, right now there isnt a radio in the 72, it got traded to the 03

[spencra]

If you are torn, just cut the area out carefully to fit your new stereo. Save the cutout and if you ever feel the need you could weld it back in.
Option #2 if you didn't have a stereo already is LMC sells stereo's for these trucks that fit the dash. You can get a cd stereo through them as well.
I don't know the quality but that's the route that i'm going.

[rolson1039]

id never cut a dash on a truck that old but thats just my opinion you do what makes you happy