Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mayo · 03-28-2013, 07:41 PM

I want to put a radio in my truck and I was wondering if you guys could recommend me a good one? I'd prefer not to cut the dash and I want one with decent sound and mp3 hookup. Also, I don't have any speakers in my truck and I was thinking of putting one in the dash in the stock location. I still have the gas tank and I have 1980 Camaro bucket seats, so the only other place for some would be the kickpanels. Are the kickpanel speaker any good? Does it disrupt the airflow from the vents any? Thanks.

jimmydean · 03-28-2013, 07:53 PM

Kick panels are a good location, also in the 67-72 you can fit some in the corner by the gas tank with little effort. As for a no cut deck, there are a few companies making them but I have not worked with any of them, but some others have.

If I were not going to cut the dash, I would scrounge a 2 shaft Pioneer from ebay or a pawn shop, then run a line driver for iPod/Aux input. That way you have a solid tuner in the stock dash with the ability to connect a source.

_Ogre · 03-28-2013, 11:50 PM

i am a cut the dash advocate.
single din radios will be around for a long time, once you cut the dash and make room for a single din stereo, you can replace it with the newest fad in minutes.
an alternative to cutting your dash is an under seat amp, no head unit and an mp3 player.

kick speakers and cab corner speaks give a decent balance of music in a truck cab.

jimmydean · 03-29-2013, 01:03 AM

You did a lot more than cut your dash.

Your interior is inspirational.

Mayo · 03-29-2013, 08:04 PM

I guess cutting the dash isn't that big a deal, I have even seen that they sell a patch panel for the part of the dash. Does anyone know of kickpanel speaker block the air from the vents?

jimmydean · 03-29-2013, 09:30 PM

There are ones that do and ones that don't. Mine do, but I wanted them that way.

Jarwood · 03-31-2013, 06:51 PM

I used a new old style radio. Installed an amp, 2 6.5" rockfords in kick panels, 1 5" in dash, and 2 tens under the seat with a gas tank. My radio also has an aux plug for ipod, or whatever you choose. Sounds great!

Jarwood · 03-31-2013, 07:01 PM

A few pics

Mayo · 04-01-2013, 06:43 AM

nice, where did you get those kickpanels from?

Jarwood · 04-01-2013, 02:14 PM

I made them. Only have about $35.00 in them

MSHax · 04-01-2013, 02:46 PM

VERY NICE Jarwood! I like the kick panels!

I originally was doing the "save the dash" method and did a Retro Sound radio because I could hook up my iphone to it and play my music through that. But as the mods came in for my interior, the classic style radio just didn't match anymore so it became time to cut the dash. If you're trying to stay stock look and not cut, I like the retro since it has all the toys of a modern unit. Of course it's all about your interior, a din radio will stick out like a sore thumb in a resto build, just like my retro sound radio stuck out like a sore thumb in my upgraded interior. For me, I'm pro-cutting, and now thanks to Jarwood, feel compelled to build some kick panels.

Mayo · 04-01-2013, 02:49 PM

Where did the radio come from?
Posted via Mobile Device

Jarwood · 04-01-2013, 09:46 PM

The radio was already in the truck. I wanted to keep it stock looking to keep thieves out. It has Metra stamped on te back, so I'm assuming thats the maker.

Thanks about the kick panels. Actually had fun making them.

03-28-2013, 07:41 PM	#1
Mayo Cool Truck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bowie,MD Posts: 1,869	Good radio for a 68 without cutting the dash? I want to put a radio in my truck and I was wondering if you guys could recommend me a good one? I'd prefer not to cut the dash and I want one with decent sound and mp3 hookup. Also, I don't have any speakers in my truck and I was thinking of putting one in the dash in the stock location. I still have the gas tank and I have 1980 Camaro bucket seats, so the only other place for some would be the kickpanels. Are the kickpanel speaker any good? Does it disrupt the airflow from the vents any? Thanks. __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn "Cool Truck" 1937 Chevrolet Pickup - Project Looking for a patina'd 68 50th Anniversary longbed Last edited by Mayo; 04-01-2013 at 06:42 AM.

03-28-2013, 07:53 PM	#2
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? Kick panels are a good location, also in the 67-72 you can fit some in the corner by the gas tank with little effort. As for a no cut deck, there are a few companies making them but I have not worked with any of them, but some others have. If I were not going to cut the dash, I would scrounge a 2 shaft Pioneer from ebay or a pawn shop, then run a line driver for iPod/Aux input. That way you have a solid tuner in the stock dash with the ability to connect a source. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-28-2013, 11:50 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? i am a cut the dash advocate. single din radios will be around for a long time, once you cut the dash and make room for a single din stereo, you can replace it with the newest fad in minutes. an alternative to cutting your dash is an under seat amp, no head unit and an mp3 player. kick speakers and cab corner speaks give a decent balance of music in a truck cab. __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

03-29-2013, 01:03 AM	#4
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? You did a lot more than cut your dash. Your interior is inspirational. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-29-2013, 08:04 PM	#5
Mayo Cool Truck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bowie,MD Posts: 1,869	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? I guess cutting the dash isn't that big a deal, I have even seen that they sell a patch panel for the part of the dash. Does anyone know of kickpanel speaker block the air from the vents? __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn "Cool Truck" 1937 Chevrolet Pickup - Project Looking for a patina'd 68 50th Anniversary longbed

03-29-2013, 09:30 PM	#6
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? There are ones that do and ones that don't. Mine do, but I wanted them that way. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-31-2013, 06:51 PM	#7
Jarwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jefferson, Georgia Posts: 248	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? I used a new old style radio. Installed an amp, 2 6.5" rockfords in kick panels, 1 5" in dash, and 2 tens under the seat with a gas tank. My radio also has an aux plug for ipod, or whatever you choose. Sounds great!

03-31-2013, 07:01 PM	#8
Jarwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jefferson, Georgia Posts: 248	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? A few pics Attached Images

04-01-2013, 06:43 AM	#9
Mayo Cool Truck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bowie,MD Posts: 1,869	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? nice, where did you get those kickpanels from? __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn "Cool Truck" 1937 Chevrolet Pickup - Project Looking for a patina'd 68 50th Anniversary longbed

04-01-2013, 02:14 PM	#10
Jarwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jefferson, Georgia Posts: 248	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? I made them. Only have about $35.00 in them

04-01-2013, 02:46 PM	#11
MSHax Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Oakland, Ca. Posts: 135	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? VERY NICE Jarwood! I like the kick panels! I originally was doing the "save the dash" method and did a Retro Sound radio because I could hook up my iphone to it and play my music through that. But as the mods came in for my interior, the classic style radio just didn't match anymore so it became time to cut the dash. If you're trying to stay stock look and not cut, I like the retro since it has all the toys of a modern unit. Of course it's all about your interior, a din radio will stick out like a sore thumb in a resto build, just like my retro sound radio stuck out like a sore thumb in my upgraded interior. For me, I'm pro-cutting, and now thanks to Jarwood, feel compelled to build some kick panels. __________________ I stopped adding up how much I spend on my builds, it only makes me doubt my sanity knowing I've spent more than 9 times it's original value new. Last edited by MSHax; 04-01-2013 at 02:48 PM. Reason: Fixed grammer, looked like my 5 year old wrote it. :P

04-01-2013, 02:49 PM	#12
Mayo Cool Truck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bowie,MD Posts: 1,869	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? Where did the radio come from? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn "Cool Truck" 1937 Chevrolet Pickup - Project Looking for a patina'd 68 50th Anniversary longbed

04-01-2013, 09:46 PM	#13
Jarwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jefferson, Georgia Posts: 248	Re: Good radion for a 68 without cutting the dash? The radio was already in the truck. I wanted to keep it stock looking to keep thieves out. It has Metra stamped on te back, so I'm assuming thats the maker. Thanks about the kick panels. Actually had fun making them.



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