to cut, or not to cut: that is the question

[mtc0812]

I have a 67 C-10 and I am considering cutting the dash for a modern radio. My question is should I cut, or should i leave it stock. Will this drop the value of my truck any? i dont plan to keep it all original, but I also dont want to lose the original value.

[Hair]

Everyone on here is going to tell you to go ahead and cut it if you want to.
They're also going to say stuff like, "It's just an old truck, it's not like it's a muscle car or anything." Sometimes we almost sound anti-truck on here.

Anyway, here' my personal take. I would NOT cut the dash. Because, there are plenty of nice stereos out there that are made to fit correctly into your dash. I have a "retro sounds" stereo, which I like very much, and it looks awesome in there, and I kept my beautiful dash in tact.
As you probably know, the sound depends upon your speaker, amps, etc, not your stereo... so, I'm probably the only one that will say this, but I would NOT cut the dash. Just my opinion.

When I was younger, I hacked-up a bunch of nice cars thinking it was cool, and now I sorta have this remorse about cutting and modifying classics.

Man, you have a beautiful truck! There's no way I'd hack that dash! Get a stereo that fits and it will look better.

[wHATANERD]

Originally Posted by Hair

Everyone on here is going to tell you to go ahead and cut it if you want to.
They're also going to say stuff like, "It's just an old truck, it's not like it's a muscle car or anything." Sometimes we almost sound anti-truck on here.

Anyway, here' my personal take. I would NOT cut the dash. Because, there are plenty of nice stereos out there that are made to fit correctly into your dash. I have a "retro sounds" stereo, which I like very much, and it looks awesome in there, and I kept my beautiful dash in tact.
As you probably know, the sound depends upon your speaker, amps, etc, not your stereo... so, I'm probably the only one that will say this, but I would NOT cut the dash. Just my opinion.

When I was younger, I hacked-up a bunch of nice cars thinking it was cool, and now I sorta have this remorse about cutting and modifying classics.

Man, you have a beautiful truck! There's no way I'd hack that dash! Get a stereo that fits and it will look better.

I agree, I will not cut the dash on my 69.

[dnorris009]

I can't even cut the dash on my rusted out rat rod.
There's no way I'd cut the dash on a rig as sweet as yours.

[Shane]

cutting the dash is not going to make .05 cents worth of difference on the value of the truck ...

[cdowns]

if you are worrying about value. just keep in mind about every dollar you spend on an old truck is worth about 20cents in resale value

[dfwright]

It's certainly your decision. I personally wouldn't cut it. Also, just for fun, do a search on the site for "unmolested dash" and read through some of the posts -- Then search for "hacked up dash"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Shane

cutting the dash is not going to make .05 cents worth of difference on the value of the truck ...

Absolutely agree. If you planned to keep everything 100% original then don't cut it. Since you have plans to modify it, the dash having a late model radio will not decreese the value.

[Shyguy]

If you can not find a radio you like to fit the dash you could put a delete in the dash and a radio in the glove box.

I am putting a radio in my console instead of cutting the dash or putting it in the glove box.

[dnorris009]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Absolutely agree. If you planned to keep everything 100% original then don't cut it. Since you have plans to modify it, the dash having a late model radio will not decreese the value.

I'm not so sure about that.
The next owner can replace custom rims,paint &
even airbags (if frame was uncut) pretty easy.
A cut-up dash isn't so easy to put back.

Granted, the trucks value isn't going to change that much.
But,given a choice I'd buy a truck that had an uncut dash
over an identical truck with one that's been cut.

[John Fabris]

As stated before, cut it, its your truck and if you want better tunes, so be it. Cut the opening such that you keep the cut metal as a patch and if you ever want to go back to stock, have it welded back in. For those that can weld, this is not a gib deal.

By the way, welcome to the board. Have not been to Great Falls in a few years, used to go to Wolf Creek every July and spend 2 weeks flyfishing the missouri!

[Dads69C10]

Nice truck. I wouldnt cut

[71GMCinTN]

Mine was cut before I got it, otherwise I would never have cut it. Too many other options.
(hope I can get my truck looking that good one day)

[Stock72c10]

You have a VERY nice truck, but unless it is museum quality cutting the dash won't affect the value. Be very careful though and be sure to cut, not hack, the dash. There is a big difference, I have seen some that look like a chainsaw was used.

[mtc0812]

thanks for all the comments and compliments on my truck! I did a little research on a few of the after market companies and I was wondering what everyones input was. I like the way the retro sound unit looks and it seems like it has a good selection of features. My future plan is to add some speakers maybe in the door or in some kick panels and to remove the tank from behind the seat and put a couple back there too. this truck is pretty loud just driving so I dont think that i will ever to be able to achieve "studio quality", but something pretty decent. Any inputs on kick panels/door speakers would be appreciated too.

[mtc0812]

Originally Posted by Stock72c10

You have a VERY nice truck, but unless it is museum quality cutting the dash won't affect the value. Be very careful though and be sure to cut, not hack, the dash. There is a big difference, I have seen some that look like a chainsaw was used.

this truck is currently in Wichita at my folks house waiting for me to come back from over seas. what part of wichita do you live?

[thepunisher]

I'm thankful mine was already cut and I didn't have to make this decision.

[Ackattack]

I have a retrosound radio in mine and like it. I also made my own kick panel speaker enclosures.

Here's the question? Do you actually listen to CDs any more? I don't, I have all my music on my ipod, so that's why the retro sound works fine for me.

[mtc0812]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

I have a retrosound radio in mine and like it. I also made my own kick panel speaker enclosures.

Here's the question? Do you actually listen to CDs any more? I don't, I have all my music on my ipod, so that's why the retro sound works fine for me.

good point...

[yote1234]

keep it stock... nice truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[storm9c1]

My take when modifying a vehicle is to try to keep the mods as reversible as possible. If you end goal is to make many other permanent mods, then it probably won't matter.

I just like the challenge of making a mod fully reversible. It takes extra thinking, and I personally enjoy engineering that into the work I do.

That being said, one option (already suggested) is to put the radio in the glove box. If you cut up the glove box liner, it's easy to replace. But an additional improvement is to buy a head unit with a remote, and get one of those IR remote extenders. Mount the extender receiver (which is usually very small) on your dash, near the stock radio, and run the wire into the glove compartment to signal your head unit. That way, you can use your remote to control the head unit without needing to open up the glove box. Works great!

As for speakers, I've seen kick panel speakers available for these trucks (that don't need any holes) and nice boxes (6x9s or larger) can mount behind the seat (relocated fuel tank of course).

I have a nice set of 5" speakers in my kick panels. The boxes are made out of wood covered with black carpet. It looks professional, and required NO major mods to the sheet metal (just some holes for screws to hold them down). You just need a set of shallow high quality speakers (door speakers are usually a good candidate). Oh, I had to relocate my high beam switch a little to the right, (which is also easy) to make room for the kick panel box.

Amps and cd changers fit nicely under the seats.

[tubbedII]

Like people have been saying, it's all about what you think will look better in your dash. My preference is a newer style radio, so cutting the dash wouldn't even make me squint a lil. I don't think the retro fit radios look bad, but I like the look of the newer ones better.

I still like dual knobs for a sort of retro look, so I'm leaning towards the kenwood X693 for mine:

[Bill72]

Don't cut it.

If you can be satisfied with the sound you get from a unit that fits why cut it?
Also, although it may not effect the value, it does effect who might look at it when it is time to sell. There are a lot more guys out there looking for uncut dashes than guys who might be discouraged by a dash still being original. Most of us would like to believe that we aren't going to sell our trucks at some point. That's not always the case, so I try and always think about resale.

Cut dashes can be fixed, and with a truck as nice as yours a cut dash probably wouldn't be a deal breaker. If the look of the newer systems is important to you, making changes that increase your enjoyment of the truck should outweigh any resale issue, including listening to guys like me whine about wishing you hadn't cut the dash when we come to look at it, (and buy it anyway).

Oh, and one more thing...
Don't cut it.

[big_al_71]

CUT IT!!!!!!!there is no added value by cutting the radio hole or not specially if your truck is altered in any way I would think only if the truck was "Bone" stock I would not cut it. I would be more concerned about the quality of any work done in the vehicle, rust repairs and parts used than a cut dash hey but thats me and my style.......

[Lemield]

I have two of these trucks and I chose not to cut the dashes. I kept the original AM radios in the dash and mounted my modern units in aluminum glove boxes that were made by a board member. I put together a remote control extender that allows me to operate the units with the glovebox door closed. That thread is over in the Truck Audio section of electrical...I think.

Bottom line is that it's your truck and you should do what you want. Good luck with whatever you choose.