should I cut the dash for new style stereo

[jaime]

I just want some opinions does it effect the value of the truck to cut the dash for stereo I bought one of the old style looking radios with the mp3 and ipod hook up but it just doesnt do it for me 

[Captkaos]

If I were you and you want a DIN radio in there, cut back the metal and bend it back, that way if someone wants to add an shaft radio when you get rid of it, they can.

Which one did you get that you didn't like and what did you not like about it?

[dvdswan]

I'm wondering the same thing.  I would love to have an updated radio but how would it affect the value.  I'm going to build a trailer queen show truck so I'm sure it would be fine.  show quality vehicle you'd probably not want too.

Capt,

would you be asking for trouble having sharp stuff under the dash?  I know, how often will you be under it?  I would think to get a tight fit you would cut it out with a cutoff wheel that way you could save the pieces to weld back in.  just my .02

[Captkaos]

There isn't a lot of stuff under there near that area, so if you bent it back, it will be close to the radio anyway.  If you cut them out I doubt you will remember to give them to the new owner or keep them after many years...

[jaime]

I bought the  custom auto sound I paid $ 200 + for it and when I took it out the box it felt cheap really light  so I hooked up and it turned on and everything but right off the back I had problems I couldnt turn the volume up or down so I called them up and they said we will send u a replacement part so it took a week and got it  and I had to take the radio back out open up the radio take the bad  part out put the new part in and install it all over again  and im not satisfied with sound theres really not alot of control option I could of bout a really nice alpine for that money

[Engineer]

If you hack out a hole in the dash and want to return it to factory it is not hard. It does however require a lot of work.

The 88+ R/V series came with a square radio from the factory. You may look into getting a gauge bezel from one of those to cover up your handy work.

If you decide to return your truck to stock find a donor truck to get the dash out of for your year (80-, 81+). You have to pull the windshield, gauge cluster, and HVAC controls, to replace the dash but everything with the HVAC duct work should not get in your way.

Or you could put a cheap square radio back in it if you decide to sell it.

[Jason S]

In my opinion, I would not cut the dash especially if it is a very nice unrestored truck.  If you do cut the dash up, you might consider storing the factory instrument bezel (if it is in good shape) and cutting up a replacement bezel.

[VileZambonie]

Being that now CD's aren't exactly practical I don't see the point in cutting up an unmolested dash... For the last almost 30 years people have been putting CD players in the place of the factory radio and I'd say the majority of them weren't exactly done to precision so if you really value your truck's originality then don't do it. If you do it nicely it really won't hurt the value unless you are going for that factory look.