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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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How to cut the dash?

  • Thread starter Thread starter brtnstrns
  • Start date Start date Jul 27, 2005
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brtnstrns

Member
Dec 19, 2003
606
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Lewisville, TX
Jul 27, 2005
#1
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #1
I know a lot of people are against this but for the people that have done it, how do you cut the dash to fit a modern stereo in it? Like does anybody know the dimensions and how you mount it in there. Do you have to fabricate a bracket for it, etc. For anyone who has done it I'd like all the info i can get. I have a 66 by the way. Thanks
 

blascrw

Member
Aug 19, 2004
191
1
16
Opelika, AL
Jul 27, 2005
#2
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #2
cuttiing

First let me say I am against this...but it is YOUR car...

All you need to do is take the "cage" that came with the radio and place it to the dash...

draw around it making sure you keep your line close...

cut out the dash along the lines...

place the cage in the cutout and bent the tabs to hold it secure...

you will also likely have to use "plumbing stap" to attach to the rear of the radio usually there is a place to attach it to...and find an attaching point under the dash...

I highly recommend not doing this...

get one of the custom radios, mount the radio in the glovebox, fabricate a custom console or something.

I will likely be doing the custom radio and using my ipod instead of cd's.
 

brtnstrns

Member
Dec 19, 2003
606
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Lewisville, TX
Jul 27, 2005
#3
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #3
haha well thanks for the input...what exactly is a plumbing stap. Anybody who has done it have any more information?
 

MustangMatt1966

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Mar 11, 2004
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Orlando Fl.
Jul 27, 2005
#4
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #4
i have a 66 also, but i took a dif. route, i kept the original radio in the dash and then had the cd player mounted in a box under the dash so its very hard to see and easy to get to. it looks great, you might want to consider that
 
1

1965-Mustang

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
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Jul 27, 2005
#5
  • Jul 27, 2005
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I cut mine, however it was already hacked up a little and rusty. I sort of followed this guys site: http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/wagoneer/stereo.html

Not a stang but the same idea.
 

brtnstrns

Member
Dec 19, 2003
606
11
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Lewisville, TX
Jul 27, 2005
#6
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #6
well i would mount it underneath the dash but I have a/c
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
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Rowland Heights,California
Jul 27, 2005
#7
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #7
brtnstrns said:
haha well thanks for the input...what exactly is a plumbing stap. Anybody who has done it have any more information?
Click to expand...
if your buying a new stereo,it should come with a metal strap that has holes for mounting that goes on the back of the stereo
 

MustangMatt1966

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Jul 27, 2005
#8
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humm didnt think of the a/c, i dont have it of course....hummm......then i guess your only alternative would be in the dash..glovebox would be to much of a pain and you would need a 6 cd changer to mount it in the trunk...so i guess dash it is..haha
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
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BC Canada
Jul 27, 2005
#9
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #9
There is just enough room under the seat to mount a CD player. But then you need to buy a remote control for it.
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
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Rowland Heights,California
Jul 27, 2005
#10
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #10
MustangMatt1966 said:
humm didnt think of the a/c, i dont have it of course....hummm......then i guess your only alternative would be in the dash..glovebox would be to much of a pain and you would need a 6 cd changer to mount it in the trunk...so i guess dash it is..haha
Click to expand...
cd changer????MP3's are where its at now,8-10 albums on 1 cd,dont like it,toss it out the window,get another
 

brtnstrns

Member
Dec 19, 2003
606
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Lewisville, TX
Jul 27, 2005
#11
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #11
i may just make my own custom consoleto house it...but i'm still leaning towards the dash
 

MustangMatt1966

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Jul 27, 2005
#12
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iskwezm said:
cd changer????MP3's are where its at now,8-10 albums on 1 cd,dont like it,toss it out the window,get another
Click to expand...

haha jeez, for me being a 20 year old you think i would be more up to date with things now a-days..home much does one of them things set ya back??
 
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66newbie

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Jul 15, 2005
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#13
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #13
Is there a place I can get a blank faceplate ? I am removing the radio that was in there. It's definitely not original and I'd rather have a faceplate than the current radio. I don't know who sells them though, any direction would be appreciated.
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
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Rowland Heights,California
Jul 27, 2005
#14
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #14
MustangMatt1966 said:
haha jeez, for me being a 20 year old you think i would be more up to date with things now a-days..home much does one of them things set ya back??
Click to expand...
add about 10-15 bucks to the price of a CD stereo(i buy wholesale though)Same price bsiaclly as a normal stereo,just burn the MP3's on your computer.
 
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PJx5x

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Mar 30, 2005
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Chicago
Jul 27, 2005
#15
  • Jul 27, 2005
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i know some people are for keeping everything stock. but IMHO everything was made to be modded and customized. if your dash is in perfect condition dont do it. but if its not perfect, and nothing special, id do it. i know i did it to my 68. all i did was cutout the rectangle shape for the metal cage, slid the cage in and flipped up the tabs.
 

coolblue65

Founding Member
Jul 26, 1999
1,224
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39
Algonquin, IL
Jul 27, 2005
#16
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #16
I cut my dash after much debate, I think it looks great. I thought about all the options mentioned already, and I just wanted to be able to put my hand up and put in a CD or turn up the volume.

Install was simple, used the cage as a template, then started at the hole from the original radio and started cutting with a small saw, once i got close to the line, i used a grinder to try and get as close to the line as i could. That way i got the cage to fit nice and tight.
 

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Route666

Active Member
Aug 16, 2003
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Brisbane, Australia
Jul 28, 2005
#17
  • Jul 28, 2005
  • #17
iskwezm said:
add about 10-15 bucks to the price of a CD stereo(i buy wholesale though)Same price bsiaclly as a normal stereo,just burn the MP3's on your computer.
Click to expand...

Man and I thought you were talking about a REAL mp3 player, not a CD player with mp3s on the CDs.

Something like this: http://www.ssiamerica.com/

It gives you a small profile face unit that you could double-sided tape anywhere, and hide the source unit. Not to mention the storage capacity! No changing CDs EVER!
 

tos

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Apr 27, 2001
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Cincinnati Ohio
Jul 28, 2005
#18
  • Jul 28, 2005
  • #18
I am also against cutting the dash but if the car is not worth restoring to original or is more of a restomod then I would say go for it. I would use a dremel to cut with though because they have very thin cuttoff wheels that would cut a fine line. Then save any peices you cut out so they can be welded back in place if somebody ever wants to put it back to original.
 

cougar_68

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Jun 6, 2001
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Garrett, IN
Jul 28, 2005
#19
  • Jul 28, 2005
  • #19
I cut the dash in a car I had and really regreted it after I did it. I didn't really care before, it wasn't that big of a deal, but after I did it and especially when I went to sell the car I wished that I hadn't done it.

I don't know how things are where you are located, but it is fairly common for stereos to get stolen where I live and a classic stang is easy to get into. I can be in my cougar in like 20 seconds if I lock the keys in it. So the idea of hiding the stereo in the glove compartment is appealing to me. I also have an Ipod so that's all I need to control my music. I currently don't have a stereo and will probably install an old AM/FM.

All that said, it's your car do what you want.
 

MustangMatt1966

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Mar 11, 2004
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Orlando Fl.
Jul 28, 2005
#20
  • Jul 28, 2005
  • #20
Route666 said:
Man and I thought you were talking about a REAL mp3 player, not a CD player with mp3s on the CDs.

Something like this: http://www.ssiamerica.com/

It gives you a small profile face unit that you could double-sided tape anywhere, and hide the source unit. Not to mention the storage capacity! No changing CDs EVER!
Click to expand...


thats kinda what i thought he was talking about too, i know about mp3's, i have like a bajillion on my computer, but i was wondering about the actual player mp3 thingy
 
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