Greatly appreciate some help with a pattern for the radio cut-out in a '68 dash. I am in the process of restoring the dash and need a pattern of the original cut-out for the radio to fix a hack job someone did along the way. I know this area is covered by the center panel but I would prefer welding in a patch to repair the dash before painting and finishing. If someone has a '68 dash open to the sheet metal that could make a pattern by tracing the left, right and center holes for the controls and face, I would greatly appreciate it. Please IM if you can help. Thanks
I have my radio out at the moment so I can make a trace and scan it to a pdf. From the looks of your pic (upside-down and from inside looking out), the top edge of the center hole is fine. It just looks like someone cut out between the center hole and the dial holes from the tab notches on down...
Might be also just as easy for me to take a pic with a white back drop and blow it up to the correct size if that works
Thanks Little Bird, Yes,the top of the radio face cutout appears to be intact. The lower section has been cut as well as the webs between the face an knobs. I figured to start with a pattern but if the lower section of the face cutout isn’t as easy as welding in a patch from sheet, I may have to take the path Bob suggested. A pdf trace file or photo of your dash would be much appreciated. whichever is easiest for you. Thanks
Thanks Little Bird, Yes,the top of the radio face cutout appears to be intact. The lower section has been cut as well as the webs between the face an knobs. I figured to start with a pattern but if the lower section of the face cutout isn’t as easy as welding in a patch from sheet, I may have to take the path Bob suggested. A pdf trace file or photo of your dash would be much appreciated. whichever is easiest for you. Thanks
Roll out your tape measure(s) and include them in your pic.
Drawing should be to scale - or darn close to print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
my dash sheet metal isn't perfect due to previous owner hack radio install, but it's not terrible. I'm guessing the real center opening should be 4 3/8" whereas mine widens a bit a the top.