63 Dodge Dart, now let me see;)

[GGs66GT]

Now before you go carving up the dash take a look at this option ...
1963-1967 Dodge Dart Redondo RS Radio

Also the ash tray is a neat place to hide the control for an aftermarket cruise control or you could use the turn lever style control but it would give it away .

An other thought repair the dash use a hidden audio system . Secretaudio Hidden Classic Car Radio System with Bluetooth Also a hidden antenna Hidden Amplified Antenna
Then you could install a couple of A/C vents in the center of the dash and one on each end of the dash , this would eliminate the knee knocker under dash A/C and give you the much need vents at each end of the dash that would also be higher up in the dash .

Of course this may require moving the head light and wiper switch . If you could get a manual trans dash cover the A/C vent would go where the Auto Trans shifter was .

Lots of food for thought

BTW what is the diameter of that GPS speedo ?

 

[Dne007]

Hey Glen!! The Speedhut shown in the picture is 4", good idea on the hidden radio, I forgot about the AC vents! lol However, I could take out the ash tray, move the radio to the left a bit, then maybe be able to have two center vents? The drivers side will be a little tricky. ok, Gary's bugging me to watch Tv~ ;)

 

[GGs66GT]

I was thinking round vents they flow more air , at least 2.5” - 3” . That said the smaller head unit of the Hidden radio may work in the ash tray area with the larger vents . I don’t think a regular radio would allow enough room.

 

[GGs66GT]

The left side should work for the vent and you won’t have to move the H/L & Wiper switch’s . You just have to get a left side dash cover plate for a manual transmission .

 

[Dne007]

well, I'm thinkin to replace the entire panel poorly outlined in yellow, perhaps even go all the way to avoid unnecessary welding, I think I can fit two ac vents and the radio. I'll take some cardboard and mock the idea up later. Have to take Chewie to the vet for her yearly shots. I'll be back;)

 

[barbee6043]

I am so old and deaf, I just want a vent window and NO radio or AC!!

 

[Dne007]

When I was in high school, from 70-73 I drove my 66 plymouth valiant and I remember using the little door down by the left leg and yes, the vent windows saved the day too! oh those were the days my friends;)

I am so old and deaf, I just want a vent window and NO radio or AC!!

 

[Dne007]

Here I am again, playing with ideas: I spoke with Zach on a few items, but I do like his suggestion of making the interior color maybe a few shades lighter/darker than the exterior. Have a little contrast.

First off, this is where the push button panel would go, and yes, there is one for sale, but I can't justify the price. So, I'm going to do the best I can to make this work. An AC/heat vent will go here.

This will be the easy vent.

I won't go any further until I get my vents, should be on the way. Guess I'll have to order a radio pretty soon. The radio holes are what's on the original factory radio holes.
If I should decide to use the original radio hole, I could put place the two center AC vents below the metal dash, but don't think it would look very good that way.

I would love to see what radio would have been installed, probably an 8 track player?

 

[jeff alder]

Pro touring-style 1965 Barracuda Gauges in a factory dash...scroll down a few pages when you get to the link

 

[halfafish]

The radio unit we talked about is a Custom Auto Sound USA740. We can go over speakers later.

 

[Dne007]

I have a little hope that this will suffice~ I need to wait at least overnight for the 3m epoxy to cure, then I can flip it to see how it did. Then I can duplicate the lines with my dremmel cutoff wheel (very thin cutting wheels), just enough to the illusion of the lines. I have aluminum sheets about 1/8 thick that cuts easily on the band saw. I've had enough for today;)

I wound up cutting it all the way to the top vs what you see here. The screw holes are to attach it to the pushbutton housing. There's nothing there now so the screw holes aren't really necessary.

Keeping the new part true to the old part was a little tricky. This epoxy is pretty incredible, it's actually panel adhesive ~ let's see what happens, especially when I go to put a large hole for an ac vent!

 

[JDMopar]

I have complete confidence that you can do it on the first try! I think if you secure the plastic panel to where it won't wiggle while you're trying to bore the big hole, it will help. Do it in a drill press and be very gentle with the down pressure, just barely touching it, it should go just fine. Go to McDonalds and steal a tray.....and bring it home to practice! LOL

 

[RustyRatRod]

well, I'm thinkin to replace the entire panel poorly outlined in yellow, perhaps even go all the way to avoid unnecessary welding, I think I can fit two ac vents and the radio. I'll take some cardboard and mock the idea up later. Have to take Chewie to the vet for her yearly shots. I'll be back;)

View attachment 1716365260

View attachment 1716365265

So you're doin away with the ashtray? Where you gonna dump the Virginia Slims ashes and spit the Red Man? LOL

 

[Dne007]

hm, I have a few classic cars and all of them have ash trays and none of them are used for anything~ however I did loose a set of keys in my mustang~ being smart, I put them in the ash tray and forgot about em, wound up putting a new ignition tumbler and trunk lock~ then several months went by~ opened the ash tray and there they were! argh. So, don't know yet, but would really like the AC vents where I have them.

I think I just don't want to spend 369.oo right now for a radio now when there's so much going on with other things, but I could install the new metal and install the radio later on. meh, just hemhawin

So you're doin away with the ashtray? Where you gonna dump the Virginia Slims ashes and spit the Red Man? LOL

 

[Dne007]

I've been wanting a drill press, does the classify as a Valentines gift?

I have complete confidence that you can do it on the first try! I think if you secure the plastic panel to where it won't wiggle while you're trying to bore the big hole, it will help. Do it in a drill press and be very gentle with the down pressure, just barely touching it, it should go just fine. Go to McDonalds and steal a tray.....and bring it home to practice! LOL

 

[JDMopar]

<-------Runs and hides from Gary, before I say that it absolutely does!

 

[Dne007]

 

[halifaxhops]

If you need the dash area that has the radio I have no issues cutting the one I have D

 

[Dne007]

Hey Ray;) I'm kind of going slow motion right now, If I do replace the entire panel, I may not need the "correct" panel with the radio holes. Give me some time on this

 

[GGs66GT]

Now before you start cutting it would be best if you had the vents radio wiper switch H/L switch in hand to make sure they have clearance on the backside of the dash . So they can play nice with each other .

Of course you will want A/C vents that have directional vanes so you can point them where you need the, air to go .

 

[Dne007]

G morning Glen, I've had a change of plans, or should I say, thoughts?

I'm thinkin to leave the ash tray and radio hole (I can repair that), put the ac vent in that chrome panel, kind of like a classic mustang center vent. put the AC controller below the radio, fabricate a neat little holder thing for the AC controller. I'm glad I didn't cut anything yet
on the radio hole, the most the metal is still there, it's just bent back on the lower aspect, I pulled it back out yesterday. I can save that. At least I wouldn't have to buy a radio right now. It would be nice to have it however.

There are a few center vents, this is from a Chevelle, but I don't see how it is mounted.

1966-67 Chevelle, El Camino Center Dash A/C Vent Assembly | eBay

Chevrolet Chevelle, El Camino (1966-67).

www.ebay.com

 

[Dne007]

Got the correct enough side vents, spray a little paint on the drivers side, that won't be the color.

I'm looking at this vent on ebay from a Chevelle, for my center upper vent, just wish there were dimensions

1969 69 Chevelle And El Camino Center AC Vent Assembly NEW Made In USA | eBay

<p>This vent is a solution for 1969 Chevelle and El Camino owners wanting to add aftermarket AC to their car. The aftermarket companies send universal vents that require the cutting up of your dash. This piece is used along with a factory AC dash panel and requires no modifications or cutting of...

www.ebay.com

 

[GGs66GT]

I would rethink the center vent you pictured , it looks like the only adjustment it has is up and down . You might look into 2 vents that have up down side to side adjustments , this way you can point them where you need them .
I like the round ones that you installed .

 

[GGs66GT]

As for a radio location , the 1st gen Corvair had the radio mounted in a pod under the center of the dash . If you can’t find one the aftermarket may have you covered .

 

[Dne007]

Well, I had just ordered this radio about an hour or so ago, so IT IS GOING TO WORK
At least it was on sale for 332 vs 369~ helped little. I only need the radio right now just to make the hole correct.
Well, I guess that's it for now, Valentines day is almost behind us~ Happy Valentines day!!