TheSamba.com :: View topic - Should I cut the dash for a radio? Champagne Edition...

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:06 am

I've currently got a CD player stuck in the glove box, and that is okay though I am a bit tired of not being able to reach it easily while driving.

There is an old tape player in the slot in the dash, but the dash isn't cut.

I'm thinking of cutting it out to put in the cd player.

It does appear that I wouldn't really have to cut the padding, just the inside part. It also appears that I could still put the non-functional tape player in there if I so chose in the future; enough metal would be left to support it.

The dash is otherwise nice, no cracks in the padding or anything like that.

It is a Champagne Edition, so it is the brown dash.

The bus isn't anything super special, has some of the normal rust and such. At some point I'll restore it, though that isn't in the cards anytime in the near future. I have no plans to sell it, it was a gift from a family friend and I think I'd get in big trouble if I did! :D

So, I guess the question is, would I kick myself in the future if I cut the dash? I'm not against mods, I've done some other stuff though it generally is all reversible.

Thoughts?

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:12 am

Don't touch that dash, especially for the Champagne Edition. I've seen so many ruined by hack jobs that it makes me cry. Figure out something else, or get a unit that fits your bus.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:18 am

NO! Keep it in the glove box or find another way.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:25 am

No, just a simple no.
Mount it in the back under a Z bed and use a remote to actuate the disks /radio / MP3 or what ever. I always wondered why they had a remote in most all new in dash units and then I bought a bus and I see why...
KC :D

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:25 am

I say dont cut. You will regret it some day. Isnt the stock radio location the correct size for a "moder" cd player without cutting? I thought it was, but its been a while since I installed a stereo, although I will be installing one this week so I will watch this thread to decide what I should do with mine.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:27 am

It's your bus... do what it takes to enhance your safety and enjoyment. Unless you expect this bus to be a money-making super-sano restoration showpiece trailer-queen...

or, sell the dash for top $$$ and get a dash with a modified DIN-compliant radio hole.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:28 am

I know there was a modified brown dash in a '78 in Virginia back in the 80's... :shock:

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:28 am

Make a mount to go under the dash to the left of the steering wheel! That's where I was going to put mine until I decided on the glovebox. The glovebox isn't really that far away!

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:33 am

busmania24 wrote: I say dont cut. You will regret it some day. Isnt the stock radio location the correct size for a "moder" cd player without cutting? I thought it was, but its been a while since I installed a stereo, although I will be installing one this week so I will watch this thread to decide what I should do with mine.

No, the actual mounting hole would have to be enlarged a few mm on the top and bottom, and a couple mm on each side to fit the mounting "cage," the one with the folding tabs that you bend to hold the player.

The trim of the player does fit (tightly) in the opening in the padding, so the padding doesn't need cut, you wouldn't be able to see that it was cut at all with any radio (new or old) installed.

I'm sure the tape player doesn't work, though I was thinking maybe I could at least rig it so that turning the dial on it made the hidden cd player come on. Then it wouldn't have to be tied to the ignition switch, but would be simple to turn on and off. (I hate how you have to usually hold the button for several seconds to make it go fully off.)

The current cd player doesn't have a remote, but the new one I'd install does, so that would be a good compromise. Maybe use some self-sticking velcro to keep the remote in a convenient location.

But I would still appreciate seeing others thoughts.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:34 am

You need only take about 3mm max off all the way around to fit a modern radio. I did this one in less than an hour with a Dremel tool, using the cut-off wheel:

I'm pretty sure if I really wanted to put an OG Sapphire in that spot it would go right in and look just fine. I KNOW I really don't want to, though.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:37 am

melville wrote: I did this one in less than an hour with a Dremel tool, using the cut-off wheel: yeah, but did you do it to your Champagne?

...and how do you rate those under-dash speakers?

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:39 am

i would modify!
A) you will enjoy your bus more
B) the next guy will cut it if you don't!

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:45 am

ChuxBus wrote: melville wrote: I did this one in less than an hour with a Dremel tool, using the cut-off wheel: yeah, but did you do it to your Champagne?

...and how do you rate those under-dash speakers?

PO did it to the Champagne, which I MIGHT be parting out (a solution for the OP?). I haven't looked in at it for a while, so I don't recall how good a job he did.

The under dash speakers are rear window speakers mounted upside down. I spent another hour or so making brackets for them. The left one ended up further outboard than the right one, so I still have full fusebox access. They give clear sound at volumes louder than I care to go, so they do just fine.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:48 am

Don't cut it buy a radio that fits and mount the cd changer in a remote location
check out this site
Soundmove.com
They sell radios for classic cars

Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:02 am

It can be done with a hand file, tape the area around the opening top protect it, even if you have to go back to a double knob radio to be "original" the increased hole size will not interfere with mounting a obsolete radio.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:27 pm

I did a little testing with the old tape player that is currently in the dash, and it actually works somewhat, which surprised me. (though the tape player portion keeps auto reversing over and over)

I also noticed that there was a wire labeled "power out."

So here is what I'm thinking:

I ordered a plastic glove box. I'll install the CD player in there as many have done.

Then, I'll hook up the yellow, signal wire from the CD player (ignition switch signal) to the power out wire on the radio.

That way, when I turn the knob, turning on the old radio, the new radio will come on and you'll hear music! I'll just velcro the remote somewhere easy to get to and/or get a remote commander that is wired to the back of the unit.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:41 pm

vwwestyman wrote:
So, I guess the question is, would I kick myself in the future if I cut the dash?

You will if someone breaks a window to get in the bus and steal your nice stereo.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:56 pm

Cut it! As others have said you only have to take a small amount all around, it's not noticeable and it makes driving safer and more enjoyable.

On the downside, my dash was near perfect fine until some kids decided to steal my stereo and tried to pry it out. Those are screwdriver marks around it. I always take the face plate off, but the shop left it on and you see what happened. I'd have been happy to string the teens up and gut them for the birds if I had caught them.

Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:56 pm

its your bus.. do what you want.. i cut mine.. once the new radio is in.. you cant even see where i slipped ...

:lol:

Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:59 pm

Just cut it. It takes about 30 seconds and the pain will stop.
Reaching over to the glove box would be completely annoying, and I would think dangerous while driving.