There's some cheapo post style tape player in my car right now. i have a pretty sweet PYLE single din-style head unit with CD, ipod port, sd card slot, and USB port just sitting in my shop. its a $300 unit, and i've got matching PYLE 6x9s 4s and 5 1/4s right next to it. i know once i cut there's NO going back. What do you think?

Absolutely not. Glove box install is you're able, but DO NOT cut your dash up.

If it's not one of those number matching trophy queens then by all means do what you need to do but do it in a professional manner. Always make it look good, kinda like it was ment to be there.

you could get one of the aftermarket dashes (approx $300), cut it up and save the original ;)

I replaced the 2 post radio in my camaro last weekend for another. I didnt realize I hacked my dash years ago. I wished I didnt.

i think i tend to agree, that cutting my dash is a ba-a-a-a-d idea. i am thinking i can make something to mount it under the dash, and find something to make a panel to cover the cutout on the dash panel where the old radio was. has anyone done that?

My dash had some cracks and breaks around the mounting holes and some other screws put into it so I cut mine for a cd player. So much nicer to have your radio there and not have to mess around with stuff in the glove box.

I'd say cut it if it's already damaged in any way or if you plan on keeping the car for a while.

i think i tend to agree, that cutting my dash is a ba-a-a-a-d idea. i am thinking i can make something to mount it under the dash, and find something to make a panel to cover the cutout on the dash panel where the old radio was. has anyone done that?

A couple months ago I went to a local stereo shop and paid $25.00 for a under dash radio mount and installed a new single din stereo in it so I wouldn't have to cut my dash. Worked out pretty good and it fit in a way I didn't even have to drill holes in the bottom of the dash either.

A couple months ago I went to a local stereo shop and paid $25.00 for a under dash radio mount and installed a new single din stereo in it so I wouldn't have to cut my dash. Worked out pretty good and it fit in a way I didn't even have to drill holes in the bottom of the dash either.


sounds cool. how about a picture?

sounds cool. how about a picture?


Attached are shots of my interior. I'm looking at options to fill in the back part above the housing so it doesn't look as nasty as it does. Most people wouldn't want to do this, but I figure it's my daily driver and I can pull it out anytime with any damage to my dash so it works for me for now.

The front of the housing is just held up and in place with a flat piece of metal I pop rivited to the housing that sits on the lower part of the dash.

http://i35.tinypic.com/124yqzn.jpg
The end result of installing a Alpine in a 66 dash

First!!! It doesnt matter if it has mp3 ,,,spectrum ananlizer,, or a girl that pops out the radio and jumps in yer pass seat... ###########ITS A PYLE ########## it is a cheap peace ,, they have been making junk for yers,, it may look cool but it is definantley a cheap taiwan made sucker ,,, I can get Pyle head units out of my wholesaler statrting at $19.95,,,,, I wontdnt cut the dash in a Reanult Lecar to put one in........

First!!! It doesnt matter if it has mp3 ,,,spectrum ananlizer,, or a girl that pops out the radio and jumps in yer pass seat... ###########ITS A PYLE ########## it is a cheap peace ,, they have been making junk for yers,, it may look cool but it is definantley a cheap taiwan made sucker ,,, I can get Pyle head units out of my wholesaler statrting at $19.95,,,,, I wontdnt cut the dash in a Reanult Lecar to put one in........


So,.... why not tell us how you really feel..... :D

First!!! It doesnt matter if it has mp3 ,,,spectrum ananlizer,, or a girl that pops out the radio and jumps in yer pass seat... ###########ITS A PYLE ########## it is a cheap peace ,, they have been making junk for yers,, it may look cool but it is definantley a cheap taiwan made sucker ,,, I can get Pyle head units out of my wholesaler statrting at $19.95,,,,, I wontdnt cut the dash in a Reanult Lecar to put one in........

well aren't YOU just too cool for school!!!

funny, your opinion reminds me of my mother in laws breath.

that was a joke. i am sorry you don't like my stereo, or if its not that you dont like it, i am sorry if it is junk. it sounds pretty good to me, and works pretty good too. i will be using it in my chevelle. :thumbsup:

also, nice install in that 66. the wood that matches the wheel looks real sharp.

thanks for the pics of your under-dash installation, bud. looks pretty good. i googled under dash stereo and saw the kits. i can use one of those for sure. i have a triple gauge i might have to relocate though. i do not want my stereo in the glove box. but...my piece of crap (not worthy of installation in a le car) pyle stereo came with a remote. now if the remote still would control it in the glove box, thats another story.

i think i am going to try a real clean install under the dash...eventually.

thanks for the help guys.

I bought this radio from Retrosound.com, Very easy to install, no cutting on dash, its an mp3 player or usb connection. uses modern speakers set up for two in front and two in rear and even has jacks for an amplifier. dosnt sound bad and it gets the job done.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/RODZSS/IMG_1305.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/RODZSS/IMG_1306.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/RODZSS/IMG_1304.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/RODZSS/IMG_1307.jpg

I cut mine. So glad I did. It's nice to have a modern stereo.

I cut mine. So glad I did. It's nice to have a modern stereo.
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Well If you cut it, cut it right:yes: I spent about 2hours if not more to cut my dash and that was with it out. I had to cut the plastic dash and sheet metal trim... Heres how it came out. Alpine touchscreen tv stereo..

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j99/daminature/nowrunning014.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j99/daminature/d4.jpg

ha!!

i was waiting to see if there would be any takers for the smartass choice...who cares. yup we got takers!!

in my '66, i carefully cut the two holes where the posts go through, with a cutoff wheel, and saved the cutout pieces. the rectangular hole already in the dash where the radio is is the same as a din size. If i ever want to go back to original, i only have to weld the cutout pieces in and get a new dashplate, since that was cut for the din size as well. I went with 4" polks all around in the cab, which required only cutting the door panels, not the door frame and the same for the rear decklid, it was minimally invasive, really no metal cutting at all. I also have an mb quart amp and 12" sub mounted between the wheelwells, just forward of the wells, and it sounds GREAT.
http://s488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/ejfd23/

I voted "who cares". Not in a smart ass way though, just because its your car now...you should do what You want to do to it. Right? Besides, is your car completely original inside? have you modified the engine and upgraded other parts of your car? If you have then it really isnt a big deal IMO if you cut your dash for a modern radio. I think. Either way, its your car and even better, its a Chevelle! Cut dash or not its still the baddest muscle car on the road! I dont think anyone is really going to make a big deal about you having a modern radio in your classic. Thats just how I fell about it...

Jake I do not understand why you are even asking the question. As I look at all your pics I see the car has been heavily modified to your own personal satisfaction. You are thinking about not cutting the dash to retain ....what? A sweep dash?

If you require good sound reproduction that head unit should already be in the cutout in your dash and close to being ready to being cranked. As your car is built it will not detract anything , value or otherwise, but by placing it somewhere you do not prefer it will bug you from that day forward and not be as YOU want.

A couple months ago I went to a local stereo shop and paid $25.00 for a under dash radio mount and installed a new single din stereo in it so I wouldn't have to cut my dash. Worked out pretty good and it fit in a way I didn't even have to drill holes in the bottom of the dash either.

I have done this in the past, and plan to again on my '70 Chevele... I know Crutchfield carries these (and they were free when I bought my last several stereos)... Not an exact match, but bumpy "grained" plastic that I'll paint to match the dash, and put a stock radio (non-functional) in the dash hole...

Call Dick at True-Connections...1-800-600-4144. He has these ones that look exactly like the stock radio, but are dummies. However, they have RCA inputs for a modern cd player...so pretty much you get a stock appearing radio, but is actually a CD player. They are really nice pieces, I saw one in person. Good luck...

Oh when I was about 16 I cut the dash in my 66 for a DIN style. I thought "Its not a stock car, its my car, I don't care!" But I regretted it and put in a completely different dash and installing a stock AM radio. I'm going to put a aftermarket head unit in a custom console instead.

Don't cut your dash. Go to retrsound's web site and buy a stereo from there. it fits in stock holes, has all modern features, and you dont have to cut your dash.

Here's another option. Fairly new offering from Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/images/mini_100/700/700/700-modelone.jpg (http://www.jegs.com/i/Retro+Sound/700/MODELONE/10002/-1)Retro Sound MODELONE - Radio (http://www.jegs.com/i/Retro+Sound/700/MODELONE/10002/-1) Model One AM/FM Radio w/ infinimount bracket system CD Changer Controller Remote Control USB MP3/WMA File Playback Radio Item# 700-MODELONE (http://www.jegs.com/i/Retro+Sound/700/MODELONE/10002/-1) Only $259.99

Jake I do not understand why you are even asking the question. As I look at all your pics I see the car has been heavily modified to your own personal satisfaction. You are thinking about not cutting the dash to retain ....what? A sweep dash?


If you require good sound reproduction that head unit should already be in the cutout in your dash and close to being ready to being cranked. As your car is built it will not detract anything , value or otherwise, but by placing it somewhere you do not prefer it will bug you from that day forward and not be as YOU want.

nothing wrong with trying to explore my options, huh? looks like i have about four or five more possibilities to weigh out that i didn't before making the poll. i still think i might wind up with one under the dash. i don't have the $ for a high dollar retrofit. if i dont cut it, perhaps someday if i do have the dough, i will be able to put one in, where if i cut it, i NEVER could.

Here's another option. Fairly new offering from Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/images/mini_100/700/700/700-modelone.jpg (http://www.jegs.com/i/Retro+Sound/700/MODELONE/10002/-1)Retro Sound MODELONE - Radio (http://www.jegs.com/i/Retro+Sound/700/MODELONE/10002/-1) Model One AM/FM Radio w/ infinimount bracket system CD Changer Controller Remote Control USB MP3/WMA File Playback Radio Item# 700-MODELONE (http://www.jegs.com/i/Retro+Sound/700/MODELONE/10002/-1) Only $259.99
save your money and get this. its worth every penny:beers:

It is all contigent on if you are after a stock restoration. I perfer the look of the stock radio on the dash. With a modern unit in the glove box.

I have a radio in mine, cheap tape deck from years ago....always have it off though..

Like the sound of that motor more...that all the music I need in my Malibu! :D

As for the Retrosound model one radio, that's the best idea for a radio I've seen yet. Well, for classic/muscle cars anyway. If you order from JCWhitney I think it's $10 more than from Jeg's. Haven't found anybody cheaper than Jeg's. Question though, are you able to select which knobs it comes with if you order from either of these sites? I know you can go to the retrosoundusa website and select which ones you want. But for $40 less if I can get the same thing with the knobs I want I'd do it in a heartbeat. Do you just call them and order over the phone to get the knobs you want?

I have a radio in mine, cheap tape deck from years ago....always have it off though..

Like the sound of that motor more...that all the music I need in my Malibu! :D

this is exactly why the radio in it now isn't worth a crap...pipes sound MUCH better than just about any song you can think of. my father only put it in because my mom got tired of the droning on the thruway. i want to be able to play some good tunes...booker t and the mgs, chicago, blood sweat & tears, the stones, the doors, zep, etc.

I have rethought this, and I think I might just cut the dash for the stereo... I have a used "SS" (and slightly cracked, damaged "1972" version anyway) for my 1970 Chevelle that I was going to put in aftermarket guages anyway...

The "retro" looks okay and is a great idea, but I'm skeptical of the performance (having experienced several of the predecessors and heard horror stories). Most of these "retrofit" stereos aren't too good (reputation-wise)...

I would do what I want with it A dash aint a big deal to replace so get one and put it back if it bothers you.OPINIONS are just that . I cut mine I dont consider it a big deal

I put mine in the glovebox and have a remote. I modified a kit for installing an aftermarket radio from a Chevy truck. With the glove box closed you wouldn't even know it was there. Kept the original AM radio in the dash hooked up to the factory speakers in the dash. Fun to turn on the AM radio sometimes and listen to the game.

Added aftermarket kick panels with 6" speakers in them and a pair of 6x9s in the rear deck...sounds good!! :thumbsup:

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg80/nwanklyn/1970%20Chevelle/DSC04565.jpg

CUT IT, do a nice clean job. Everything else seems modified on your car, why not have a great stereo too. Don't hide it in the glove box, I hated mine when it was in there. When I put my car back together, it will have a nice stereo right where a stereo is suppose to go. Your car looks great by the way!