stereo hacker

[veltex]

I thought long and hard about what to do about my radio situation on a virgin truck, I think I was momentarily possessed, not only had the dash hacked for new cd player but the doors too for 6x9s, is there a councelling therapy group for this? Sure sounds good though, and spent less than fiddle farting around with a stock am/fm setup.

[Tx Firefighter]

If I were you, I'd change my name and head for the hills. CPNE is going to send some guys out to visit you after doing this.

[old Rusty C10]

well its all a matter of taste and preference but id never do it to a classic truck. Luckilly there are stillplenty of replacement parts if ya ever wanna change your ways

[lukecp]

I say slice them! There aren't too many other options besides getting a aftermarket CD controller that fits the dash, or getting kickpanel speakers (which suck IMO). My dash is sliced and i wouldnt' have it any other way

[Moloko]

Mount the new radio in the glove box instead of the dash, and mount the speakers in the kick panels and behind the rear seat in 6x9 boxes.

[imdarren]

veltex,
Don't worry about it!
You can always "patch up sheet metal".
You will enjoy the sound of a newer system.

Did the truck have the original AM/FM Radio in it?
If so, and it worked, and would consider selling it, Please let me know. E-Mail at darrengale67@hotmail.com

Thanks! Darren

[cableguy0]

good job man enjoy your new tunes it will sound much better besides its your truck do what you want

[s95930]

My old AM radio does not work so I am trying to decide do I cut the Dash or Not? It is a tough choice for me!

[Moloko]

Originally posted by s95930
My old AM radio does not work so I am trying to decide do I cut the Dash or Not? It is a tough choice for me!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Sorry, the last owners of my Chevelle and truck both cut the dash, when they could have just easily hung the radio underneith. The most annoying thing is both of the owners put in the cheapest radio's I've ever seen. What was the point?

[truck69]

I am undecided also..I have also a old am radio. The stereo shop said they can cut the doors for the speakers but I am not sure if I want that. I was looking at Chevy Duty and they have a stereo that fits the same holes as the old one. I still have 3 months to decide.

[Moloko]

Just a tip, if you mount speakers in the doors is isnt going to sound that good. They tend to rattle like hell due too all the loose goodies inside the doors. 2 6x9 boxes (which you can buy at most electronics stores for less than 20 bucks) are a better option.

[Tx Firefighter]

You just wait, a big black car with dark windows and a "CPNE" personalized license plate is going to pull up at all of you hacker's houses someday and he will handle this.

You've been warned.

[RON WOODGEARD]

This has been gone over here, time and time again,

Cut the dash, If that's what you want. If you want better sound, There isn't a choice but to cut something. Look at the newer rigs, Where is their speakers?? Not hiding under the dash!! And the head isn't an antiquated AM unit..

If you ever do want to return to stock, there are lots of these things in junkyards to get the parts from, or even guys on this board.

And with the guys like CPNE, and Moloko, There will always be a great representation of the Factory look out there. And it "Should" make theirs worth more money when they decide to sell.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Welcome to the club of dash hacker's

[casey]

I'm totally against cutting the dash for myself, but if your into Cd players(great sounding music) its not like if you cut the dash your going to want to go back to an old factory am radio. I don't think by cutting the dash its going to wreak the whole truck, its like saying if you had a 50's car you have to run bias ply tires, or its not right.I think maybe some of us older guys totally appreciate stock cause we were around when theses vehicles were made and like to keep them stock, I grew up in the 60's so I have no appreciation for the model A and 30's car so If I had one I would totally rod it, is that sacreligious. but I do agree with Moloko I have speakers in the doors and they don't sound any better than if the were under the seat

[tom hand]

Truck has the factory carpet on the bottom of the doors...I cut the doors for 6 x 9 s days after getting it...over 15 years ago. the doors are easy to fix...I couldn't bring myself to cut he dash...I have aways had stereos that fit the hole....I now have the custom autosounds am/fm CD controller with a 6 disc changer in the console...sounds great, no rattle

[jjk3]

As everyone else said, it's your truck do what you like. I put 6x9 3 ways in the doors. They are good speakers, but it was a bad choice. They are kinda in the way, stuff rattles, and the sound isn't that great because of the location. Keep the stock radio, and get a CD changer that hooks up to the radio. The previous owner of my truck hacked the dash and installed an AM/FM casette deck, so I just put the CD changer in the glove box (custom made) and it plays through the regular radio. You can have the best of both worlds. I set my radio to FM 89.1 and press play on the CD controller. It works great. Just some thoughts from being there and doing that. John.

PS---Don't hack anything.

[mocwon]

I'm with you. Just about to carve out a hole for a modern CD player in mine too. I already cut out the grill for the speaker on top of the dash and welded it up.

[Longhorn Man]

I'm just looking for doors nice enough to cut up for speakers.
If they rattle...clean out the door and tighten everything up. If they sound tinny, then add some sound deadner.
As far as cutting the dash, I have gone both ways in the past, (one cut, the other got a crappy 2 knob that somewhat fit) I think I'll try somethign new with the one ton.
S stock-ish AM FM radio. I'm not pockey, so something out of a mid 70's will work. as long as it is chrome and looks period correct. Then an aftermarket EX and maybe a small booster, a CD chainger, and 6X9's in the doors, with the aftermarket carpet covering them.
That's the plan...in reality, I am used to not having tunes, and will probably leave the radio delete plate on there for quite a while.

[veltex]

thanks for all the replys guys (and gals), like I said the deed is already done, I like it, just wish it was an easier decision to make. Stock is great to a point, but give me a cool street rod any day over the non-air, bad brakes, weak drive train, etc., restoration. What would most of you like to take on a power tour type function, a top notch modern gear street rod, or a restored model A or T? Think about it.

[dinnut]

BOTH. lol. they both will get attention

[1969 GMC]

I refuse to cut any sheet metal on my truck. I live in the salt belt, though, and if you don't watch, you may lose 10 pounds of steel a year (or more).

First, I removed the fugly AM/FM/8 track player the p/o put in (it still worked, lol, my dad had a Kiss 8 track for it, but it sounded like sh!t), then smashed it for some "destructive therapy" so I wouldn't be tempted to cut metal. Then, I got a cheap radio delete plate so there was no gaping hole, and put the speakers I pirated out of my Oldsmobile 88 in the truck. The 6x9's are still in the little carpeted boxes that were hung under the rear package shelf in the Olds (If you can't tell, I am a cheap SOB). Oh, and my Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit is in the glovebox, and its not as big of a hassle as some people will lead you to believe, the remote control makes it work great.

EDIT: wooooo, post # 1969....lol

[matt67350]

Dash Hackers UNITE!!!!!
(may the saw be with you)

[D-Money]

My dash is already hacked up for a nice CD player but if I had to do it again I would by the Kenwood factory looking AM/FM radio with the optional CD changer that you can put wherever you want. Then you don't have to hack up the dash. It is all factory looking

[RON WOODGEARD]

Originally posted by matt67350
Dash Hackers UNITE!!!!!
(may the saw be with you)

18 VOLT DEWALT, SawsAll,,,... Goes anywhere.....