new head unit in dash?

[Drobbs 85]

 I'm going to slowly start uprgrading my "system" and I figured I'd start with the head unit. Currently, it's incorporated into the headliner along with the speakers. Its a real hassle having to reach up there all the time so I want to put the new one where the original once was. I'll be getting rid of the "highliner" crap soon but for now it stays. My question is how did all of yall get your new head unit in that weird hole for the original? Do I have to just make up some custom plate or what? Any ideas, dimensions or whatever are greatly appreciated..heres a pic of where I want to put it..Thanks

[eventhorizon66]

You typically use something like this.  Pretty widely available.

[Unofficial]

I put a head unit where the original one was and just cut wherever I needed to and it fits fine.

I can post a picutre if you want.

[hotrod24]

hey if i was you i would just put a tape player in and hook up a CD changer to it and it would be easy and you would have a CD player and then would you not have to cut up your bezel or your dash that is just my advise

I'm going to slowly start upgrading my "system" and I figured I'd start with the head unit. Currently, it's incorporated into the headliner along with the speakers. Its a real hassle having to reach up there all the time so I want to put the new one where the original once was. I'll be getting rid of the "highliner" crap soon but for now it stays. My question is how did all of yall get your new head unit in that weird hole for the original? Do I have to just make up some custom plate or what? Any ideas, dimensions or whatever are greatly appreciated..heres a pic of where I want to put it..Thanks

[werewolfx13]

I order the install kits for these trucks from crutchfield, because it includes a plate that looks very stock that will hide the gaps when you cut out your opening. You can make this yourself, I actually have done more like that, but I've used one of the crutchfield plates as a template to cut them out. I tape that plate to the bezel the way it should line up when installed, take a dremel on low speed and buzz out the opening in the plastic, then I reinstall the bezel and mark the metal ever so slightly larger than it needs to be, remove the bezel, then use a dremel or cutoff wheel to cut the metal right on the line..The DIN sleeve should slip right in, if not, trim away til it fits easily, then use as many of those little tabs you can bend behind the dash and the bezel as possible to hold it in..just make SURE to slide the plate from the install kit over the sleeve first, then slide it into the dash for final installation. You have to remove the sleeve every time you want to pull the bezel out this way, BUT you don't need to support the back of the stereo if you use enough of the tabs..

[78 Chevyrado]

If you plan it carefully, you won't need the plate.  There may be a 1/16 to 1/4" gap at the bottom of the square hole, but no one will see it since your vantage point if from above (make sure you cover the top part though.)  Take into account for the trim ring in your measurements.  Only people under your dash will be able to see the gap, if there is one. Here's a pic of mine in my 78, I got this one just perfect and have no gap top or bottom (for once... )

If the radio trim ring interferes with the dash bezel, modify the trim ring, and not the bezel for best results.  I had to modify both left and right side of my trim ring.  just do it slowly with a belt sander or a file (Fine files give the best results.  I cut my dash and bezel with a jigsaw (all i had)  but made the opening a little small, then cleaned it up and sized it with a fine file.  Then use the clips on the radios DIN Sleeve and attach it to the bezel as tight as you can (don't bust the bezel)  then when the bezel is back in the dash bend the tabs to clip around the metal dash behind the bezel.  I would use the support bracket at the back of the radio, I hit a bad RR crossing in my old 77 and it didnt' have the support and it broke the bezel.  In my 78 i used the oem bracket and just bent and tweaked it until it fit right.  Main thing is...  Take Your Time!  go slow, it's old plastic and if you hurry it WILL look like you hurried.  Best of luck!

[three8six]

Where did you get that plate from? crutchfield?

[78 Chevyrado]

There's no plate, that's the actual dash bezel.

[Fordeatinz71]

that is a really clean install Chevyrado!  my GMC is that clean but i can't take credit for it, CarToys did it before i got it.  i have cut one when i was 16 and it came out like crap, but i have trouble doing that kinda stuff (hate messing up the original stuff) so i'm glad that my Sierra was already done and so is the Jimmy i'm getting 

[78 Chevyrado]

that is a really clean install Chevyrado!  my GMC is that clean but i can't take credit for it, CarToys did it before i got it.  i have cut one when i was 16 and it came out like crap, but i have trouble doing that kinda stuff (hate messing up the original stuff) so i'm glad that my Sierra was already done and so is the Jimmy i'm getting 

Believe me this install went better than expected   I had to buy 3 bezels for my 77 because it looked like a hack-job and pissed me off.  It took a alot of practice, and i finally figured out to go slow, maybe too slow and it'll turn out alot better. 

[VileZambonie]

I used the factory bezel each time in mine too

[yellasldrboy_04]

Not trying to thread jack...

But VileZambonie....Where did you get those kickpods from???

[Captkaos]

He got them from me here:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=RD-3061&Category_Code=7387INT

I should be getting the Silverado version Monday...

[yellasldrboy_04]

Thanks...those are just the ones I need.

How are they mounted??? w/ screws or do I have to mold them to my upper piece??

[VileZambonie]

I had to cut my existing panels and then I used butyl tape to hide and mend the seams. Just be aware you may have parking brake clearance issues.

Chris, are the new kick panels the flush mount ones?