Cutting Dash Question???

[HotRod929]

I am thinking about cutting my dash to put in a cd player and was wondering that if i did this how do you mount the cd player? Theres nothing there. Can you please let me know. Thanks

HotRod

[Solarus1981]

I have a cut dash in mine... but if you have a rust free uncut cab... there are people that will maybe trade you for one that is. I know I would!

[chevykid1969]

most cd players come with a metal bracket thing that once you cut the hole it slides in to support the cd player in the rear. there are also little tabs on the bracket you push out to hold thewhole thing inplace. i did mine last year and it worked fine.

[CPNE]

It's your truck but I wouldn't cut it to put a stereo in, unless you've already or are planning to do other body mods. Takes away from the value of it's originality IMO. There are other alternatives and I'm sure somebody can help you there.

This will spark a debate

[Roberty]

There's not much on our old trucks that makes me sicker than to see where someone "Butchered" the dash to install an aftermarket radio. There are several places that you can buy a new AM/FM radio with the outputs for an external multi disc cd changer. You can then mount the cd changer in the glove box, console, under the seat, etc... and not have to cut up your dash. If it were mine (unless your building a complete custom truck) I wouldn't cut up the dash.
Robert

[casey]

touchy subject, cut or not to cut, here we go again, I'm a non cutter, but its your truck, and if you cut it for a cd player to answer your question hotrod929 I think you might need a strap on the back of the deck to hold the weight of the deck on the back of it, make sure you measure it a few times before you cut. as far as cutting it goes after looking at efabmans post on welding in repair panel, fixing that dash would be a peice of cake, there probably going to come out with a dash repair panel soon if they don't already make one

[Green72GMC]

They way I look at it is, it is your truck and no one elses so do what you want that makes you happy. I cut mine and I just bent the tabs up on the cd player support and I have hit many a hole and it is still in there.

[XXL]

Originally posted by CPNE
This will spark a debate

Open that baby up!



Just cut small, file to size, then the radio can goes in and the tabs get bent back to hold it in place. After you get it mounted, take a few seconds and attach a backstrap to the back of the radio (it has a threaded place for just such a thing) and run it to the factory backstrap catch on the firewall just behind there. It will make the radio more solidly mounted.

[greasemonkey]

What XXL said, cut it small and file. I bent the tabs back on mine and it is really solid in there. I had a strap on the back but it came off and started rattling like crazy so I took it off. Cut it!!!

[1969 GMC]

I put mine in the glovebox and use a remote to change tracks etc so I don't have to lean across the truck while driving. Works fine for me.

[HotRod929]

1969 GMC - You got any pics/info. on your setup. Would really like some pics. Thanks

HotRod

[Longhorn Man]

I cut mine and installed the stereo like mentioned above, no strap or anything. It does not move, rattle or skip.
Funny, (almost) everyone will cut the yellow wire out when they install HEI, most ppl will cut the harness and install an internally regulated alt...but stereos seem to cause problems...
These aren't Yenkos or Nickeys...

[Piston]

I cut my no A/C '71 cab to install a cd player but now that I have 2 A/C trucks with uncut dashes, I've moved over to the "Don't Cut it" crowd.

[greasemonkey]

Traitor.

[CPNE]

Before I start, let me preface this by saying, it's your truck and to each his own but here's why I won't:

With some upgrades there are no alternatives including HEI and one-wire alternators, the stock design must be altered. And with many changes if someone wants to revert back, it's relatively simple. Once a dash is cut it's not simple (for most of us) to restore it to stock.

Furthermore there are many stereo alternatives, from alternative locations to post-style stereos with modern components that bolt right in. The "cut it" argument here is that the post-style radios are overpriced and produce poorer sound quality. True, but unless you are investing in sound-proofing and all the accoustical changes required to actually here the difference, the argument falls short. If you've invested in the acoustics to that degree chances are you've made radical modifications anyway, so a dash change is of little consequence in the big scheme.

Not that resale value (as parts) should be a major consideration (after all who builds a truck expecting to part it out) but in my 6 years experience selling parts, no one was enthusastic about modified sheetmetal. As a matter of fact, nearly everytime I advertised a cab for sale, the number one and 2 questions are "where's the rust?" and "is dash cut?". That, to me, speaks volumes about these type of alterations. BTW, same with speaker holes in doors!

Many people when they sell a vehicle will remove their custom stereo for the next project. If you cut you are forced to leave it in, buy a cheaper replacement, or sell it with a gaping hole in the dash.

I don't mind disk brakes swaps, moderate lowering, engine/tranny swaps, aftermarket a/c, aftermarket wheels, convenience upgrades, detailed engine compartments, performance upgrades, etc. So I'm not a strict purist.

As you may have guessed I don't like chops, radical drops, bags, roll pans, louvers, shaved emblems, smoothed firewalls, seats that look out of place, small or radical steering wheels, wild customization, 88-98 beds, non-stock grilles, electronic gauges, one-piece windows, fuzzy dice, and cut dashes. But I respect you and your creativity if that's what you prefer!

My 2 cents on this.

I've hijacked this thread enough, so go here to register your opinion on this

[bouncytruck]

Mine was cut by the previous owner and they did a crummy job. If you decide to cut it, just take your time. It is better to have to cut again larger than have to try and weld material back in place. I bought a radio delete and I'm going to cover the big hole in the dash and put the stereo in a tuffy locking console.

[Piston]

Originally posted by greasemonkey
Traitor.

muhahaha