the part of the dash that holds the radio

[Chief Brody]

So somebody cut the dash to install a modern radio....I need to put those parts back...but I didn't think to do it before I painted the dash.

The whole thing isn;t cut out, only the squares where the holes for the radio knobs were.

Whats the best way to go about reinstalling these so they can support the radio? Welding will probably scorch the paint well beyond the dash bezel...

 

[rampage]

Pics would help (not that I could see them), but I think I have an idea what you mean.

I'd get a similar gauge steel and put it behind the dash where the pieces need to go - like how you repair a hole in drywall.
http://drywall101.com/photos/strapback/strapback1.jpg

Then glue that backer plate in with some sort of adhesive, like 3M panel adhesive if you happen to have some laying around.

 

[Blue85]

If you want it to look 100% original, you would need solid steel all around, which would mean welding and grinding and a lot of "body work" before painting. Or you could swap the whole steel dash....

But if you just want to mount the original style radio and not look butch, just use a shaft-to-DIN mounting kit. There must be something available that would kind of work...

 

[paratrooper307]

If you want it to look 100% original, you would need solid steel all around, which would mean welding and grinding and a lot of "body work" before painting. Or you could swap the whole steel dash....

But if you just want to mount the original style radio and not look butch, just use a shaft-to-DIN mounting kit. There must be something available that would kind of work...

This is the one. It allows either DIN or shaft installation.

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-87-99-3052-Truck-73-87-Conversion/dp/B00AJ3885W

 

[Chief Brody]

I'll figure out a way to tack weld in some steel. That's a neat kit, but I don't want that look.

 

[Chief Brody]

Wish I knew how to blend...Id' do the paint and body on the dash...

 

[Chief Brody]

What all is involved in removing the metal dash?

 

[chevyfumes]

Shudder....

 

[Chief Brody]

Shudder....

i guess i wont do that....

 

[brans87]

asking same question in another post but sweetk30 said hole top of frame @ windshield is spot welded and bolted on the sides.

 

[82355]

You could rivet in another piece of an uncut dash. The rivet heads would be covered by the dash bezel.

Martin

 

[Blue85]

Wait, you have the full plastic dash bezel like this?

That makes things much easier. Just rivet or tack weld a backer piece in there and cover it up with an intact bezel and done. I was thinking the radio mounted just in the steel - like a 1st Gen. Even if you can see in the holes behind the knobs, can't you just paint that area behind the holes to match the dash?

 

[JDS]

I did this on my K5. I took a couple pieces of flat steel bar stock, maybe 2" wide, and drilled out holes for the radio posts to pass through. Then I used sheet metal screws to screw the plates onto the remaining dash metal on both sides. It's not 100% OEM original, but you can't tell once the plastic dash bezel is in place and it is sturdy. When you install your new radio, make sure you also secure it from the back because the posts alone aren't enough to support the weight of the radio. My aftermarket "vintage" post style radio came with a piece of plumber's strap which I use to support the weight of the radio.

I hate it when people cut up the dash to put some POS radio in. One of the first things I take into account now when I am buying a truck.

 

[Chief Brody]

Wait, you have the full plastic dash bezel like this?

That makes things much easier. Just rivet or tack weld a backer piece in there and cover it up with an intact bezel and done. I was thinking the radio mounted just in the steel - like a 1st Gen. Even if you can see in the holes behind the knobs, can't you just paint that area behind the holes to match the dash?

That's what I am hoping for