Has anyone done anything like this?

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

The previous owner of my '79 quite brutally hacked up the dash where the radio mounts to fit a $30 Pep-boys special aftermarket radio. I'd like to put a stock two post back in. My idea is to find a truck in a junkyard that still has a good dash and, as carefully as possible, cut out the area I need for the radio then place it over the hacked hole in my dash and rivet it on. This is the only way I could think of fixing this other than replacing the whole dash. Does anyone else have any ideas?

[Zane M]

I'm sure plenty of people have repaired radio cut outs. I do think that most weld them in, but riveting will work. It may be a little harder to cover up on the right side with the bezel however, due to the proximity of the bend in the dash

[_Ogre]

unless your truck is a 100 point concourse restoration, i'd make a nice single din adapter for it
single din head units will be around for a long time, can be found for cheap and can be bought with all the latest technology

[piecesparts]

I took aircraft aluminum plating. It is thin, but hard. I cut out the shape of the lower area that the radio sits in and then cut the new panel for my radio. I painted the aluminum panel to match the dash paint, since it was black--it was easy. The radio is then mounted into the aluminum panel and then the whole assembly is mounted into the dash with screws.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

I took aircraft aluminum plating. It is thin, but hard. I cut out the shape of the lower area that the radio sits in and then cut the new panel for my radio. I painted the aluminum panel to match the dash paint, since it was black--it was easy. The radio is then mounted into the aluminum panel and then the whole assembly is mounted into the dash with screws.

Well, that works for me. I have access to plenty of aircraft grade aluminum lol. So, with the gauge bezel installed, can you tell that the patch panel is there?

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetalThunder_81

Well, that works for me. I have access to plenty of aircraft grade aluminum lol. So, with the gauge bezel installed, can you tell that the patch panel is there?

No, the thin panel blends into the dash and it is cut to fit the shape of that lower area, so it covers the whole area and becomes part of the dash. The aircraft aluminum is hard enough that it can be cut to a very thin area, if need be and not fail or bend.

[nekkidhillbilly]

just weld a flat plate of steel in and drill/cut the holes for a shaft style. it will be stock but have a horrible oem radio too. that or you can put a new shaft style from retrosound or casmfg and spend 300 bucks. since its cut me id put a good new din radio.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

just weld a flat plate of steel in and drill/cut the holes for a shaft style. it will be stock but have a horrible oem radio too. that or you can put a new shaft style from retrosound or casmfg and spend 300 bucks. since its cut me id put a good new din radio.

I might put a regular DIN stereo in it but the dash is so hacked out that a regular DIN stereo doesn't even fit...plus I like the full feeling of driving a classic truck with a classic looking stereo. I will, however, be using a newer style post stereo similar to the RetroSound from LMC with CD changer and iPod hook-up.

[BigMike]

Was it this bad? I think he must have worked for the road dept and used a jack hammer on it.



I just replaced the whole dash, here it is now.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Yea, mine looks a little similar to that lol. But, thanks to Manimal, I have this to patch in. Thanks, Lance! And I sourced a new/used bezel from eBay. Score.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetalThunder_81

Yea, mine looks a little similar to that lol. But, thanks to Manimal, I have this to patch in. Thanks, Lance! And I sourced a new/used bezel from eBay. Score.

thats the best way,may want to check the fit before you install it,may need a trim?
I had to remove the lower "lip" but prob cause its a bigger stock CB unit with cass

[RoughKuntry]

I think yall would like what I am doing to the 1980 Big 10, I love how the 1972 Chevy trucks have the stereo in the middle of the dash so I have been trying to get my Boss Deck to fit right over the ash tray. Only problem is after I have it wired up, I cant hear anything out of my 2 Studio 54 4 way speakers. anyone have the Boss 612ua wire up photo?

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetalThunder_81

I might put a regular DIN stereo in it but the dash is so hacked out that a regular DIN stereo doesn't even fit...plus I like the full feeling of driving a classic truck with a classic looking stereo. I will, however, be using a newer style post stereo similar to the RetroSound from LMC with CD changer and iPod hook-up.

you could just put sheet metal over the cut part. it would be hid by the bezel.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

you could just put sheet metal over the cut part. it would be hid by the bezel.

That's basically what I'll be doing with the patch panel I got from Manimal. Straight sheet metal won't have the indent needed for the radio to sit in the right spot.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i dont think it would matter once all the trim was on it.

[suspect]

Mine was almost as bad as BigMikes. That dash bandit must get around! I took some measurements off a friends 67 and welded up flat stock and redrilled the holes.