Hacking up dashes

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Jason Cunningham

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So, I was just wondering people's opinions on removing original radios, and cutting a hole in the dashboard to install a stereo. Again...To each his own. And YES, each person is entitled to do as they want with their car. But does a person have the right to make irreparable modifications to a car that will be around long after he / she is dead. My car still has the original AM radio, but I admit driving my Dodge would be more fun, if I was listening to BAD COMPANY.
 
I don't get why people get all uptight about someone cutting up a dash to put in a modern stereo. But cut the whole thing out to put in a peak or a RMD dash " hey man that's cool"! If your car isn't a 340 or valuable collector model don't worry about it. Your ride will probably lose more of its value when you put it in the ditch fiddling with your stereo in the glove box . J/K , sorta.

Funny thing is I still have the stock non functioning AM radio in the dash . Just wish I had the coin to put in a new stereo.so many things I'd do first though like upgrade the wiring harness and the electrical system (modern alternator/relocated battery) ETC.
 
I'm sending my stock AM radio in for an FM conversion. It will look stock on the outside but will have all modern internals.
 
agreed i didnt think twice about cutting up my 76 it was a /6car now its a big block car
 
And a Kokanee !!!

Have not had one of these in a while, next time I need some beer....

Our Fairlane had a butcher cut the dash. Would like to shoot the bastard that did it. When I finally get around to it I will be looking for a chunk of dash to weld in to fix the problem.
About your A-body....cut if you must. But I would suggest to be on the lookout for a replacement dash, just in case you ever get the bug to go back to stock. There is enough of these things getting parted out that finding another dash should not be all that hard.
As already mentioned, why not do a hidden deal? Bit of a pain in the *** at times but.....
I have spent enough time riding two wheels that not having a radio is not all that big of a deal, unless it is a driver.
 
Too late for mine, previous owner already "hacked." Of course it could be hidden with a little sheet metal behind, and a good untouched bezel.
 
Have not had one of these in a while, next time I need some beer....

Our Fairlane had a butcher cut the dash. Would like to shoot the bastard that did it. When I finally get around to it I will be looking for a chunk of dash to weld in to fix the problem.
About your A-body....cut if you must. But I would suggest to be on the lookout for a replacement dash, just in case you ever get the bug to go back to stock. There is enough of these things getting parted out that finding another dash should not be all that hard.
As already mentioned, why not do a hidden deal? Bit of a pain in the *** at times but.....
I have spent enough time riding two wheels that not having a radio is not all that big of a deal, unless it is a driver.
Ink...I'm impressed your a beer connoisseur....:cheers:
 
Back in 1974 I didn't think a thing of hacking up the original dash in my 1967 Barracuda and installing an am/fm 8 track in dash player

Fast forward to 1993 and buying my 1967 Dodge Dart convertible and thinking why the hell did they hack up the dash to install an am/fm cass in dash, so then I had to look high and low to find a good dash besel to send off to Mr. G's to restore the dash.

With the remote radios or sending out an original to have modern guts installed for a nice factory look is a great way to go.

I'm not a fan of MOST custom dashes or aftermarket radios in cars. Don't care what car it is.

Have a 1995 Fleetwood that the radio quit. Was looking at aftermarket but just didn't want to change it. So I ended up sending the factory tuner out and getting repaired.
 
I have a Pioneer unit hidden in the glovebox with the original radio in the dash. Additionally, I bought an Infrared Repeater (I think that's what it's called) that allows you to use the remote without opening the glovebox door. Works slick for ME.....

I didn't want to hack up my dash & wasn't satisfied with the factory AM-FM sound. I like it loud LOL
 
I found an modulator for my 62 300 am radio.Very hard to come by. It works great. I plug a portable CD player into it.Took 15 mion. to install.
It isn't stereo, but there's a front and rear speaker so it sounds good.
 
I mounted mine under the dash, so the next owner can simply remove it if wanted.
Hard to notice really, Sony blackface, no knobs, nothing but blank face, installed in a dark homemade box.
 

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Your ride will probably lose more of its value when you put it in the ditch fiddling with your stereo in the glove box . J/K , sorta.
First of all that there is FUNNY, second of all that there is true:blob:
I'm way past original and in 73 it only took a month or two before all sorts of stuff was not original on the first Missile.
Andrew
 

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I must be missing out ...I have a radio delete plate in mine and absolutely no tech stuff of any kind....I don't even have a cell phone so when im driving down the road its 1968 again in the car.
 
First of all that there is FUNNY, second of all that there is true:blob:
I'm way past original and in 73 it only took a month or two before all sorts of stuff was not original on the first Missile.
Andrew


that looks like nite rider or some kind of James Bond car
 
Up until I installed the Infra-Red night vision display I would have denied that statement.
Andrew
 

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It's a pet peev of mine too, when someone hacks up the dash to install their sound system. Then they "accessorize" the rest of the interior to their liking. Ya, its their car to do whatever they want with... Kinda like some of the homeowner remodel jobs I have seen. Course it's their house to do what they want with.
 
problem with putting one inside the glovebox is that you ruin the inside of the glovebox!
..under the dash is Day Two... it works for me cause i was there.
 
Nobody has to make any changes. Points ignition still works, bias ply tires still work, 4 wheel drum brakes on single line system still works, etc,,. etc..
Likewise, AM radio still works.
Those other changes aren't so blatantly obvious so they don't get opinioned threads like this one.
Chrysler gave us an odd window/opening that wouldn't accommodate anything different without hacking. So most changes here are obvious hack jobs,especially where it has been hacked and re hacked as the media changed. Change hasn't ended either. At least 5 mfgrs have omitted the CD slot from their new models.
I have to think the opening for the head unit still follows the D.I.N. standard adopted in 1984 no matter what media it accepts.
Myself and 5 others have single D.I.N. openings in the rally panel that doesn't look like a hack job. If the day comes when no head unit at all is needed, we can fill the opening with something different. I assume the aftermarket will offer something to fill this opening in any vehicle built since 1984.
I would never go back to the AM radio, or point ignition, bias ply tires, etc.., etc...
 
There is always another way or place to put it. I have put several systems in the trunk controlled by a remote. I am not a big fan of the glove box, I would rather do under the dash. You can buy kits that make it look nice and clean, and easy to reach.
My last install was in a 65 Coronet 500. I racked my brain trying to find a spot for it because I wanted it completely hidden.
Then it dawned on me, if I raise the rear of the console about a 1/2 inch it will tuck under nicely and I can change setting by hand or by remote.
AL
 

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There is always another way or place to put it. I have put several systems in the trunk controlled by a remote. I am not a big fan of the glove box, I would rather do under the dash. You can buy kits that make it look nice and clean, and easy to reach.
My last install was in a 65 Coronet 500. I racked my brain trying to find a spot for it because I wanted it completely hidden.
Then it dawned on me, if I raise the rear of the console about a 1/2 inch it will tuck under nicely and I can change setting by hand or by remote.
AL

build enough horse power and u can`t heart it anyway!! lol
 
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