Anyone know of a really good looking idea for installing a DIN style radio in a 68 'bird? I want it to go in the stock location...already cut, but I want it to look good, like it was done at the factory and not showing the underside of the radio.

Pics would be great!


Thanks,
David

I had a hack job done on my '69 cammer. I could post a pick to give you a rough idea; of what I did to correct the butcher job the PO's son did.

David, here a couple of pics I just found on eBay. Since our FG dashboards are swept back at the bottom, it makes thing diffacult to mount these DIN style units.

As you can see, mounting the unit level will expose the sides. If you mount it flush with the bezel, you'll have problems with the back of the unit interfering with the heater controls and cables. I've seen some mount them flush, but I can't help but think of the problems they have.

I mounted mine level with the aid of an adapter I purchased from Crutchfield. This is the adapter I used:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=112200&i=120923300P&tp=3121

It's also American International part #CGM390M for the '95-up Chevy Caprice.

Since I have a '69, all I had to do is after I cut the opening out was to glue it in. The '69 bezel and this adapter are both made from ABS so ABS cement was used. I don't know if ABS cement will be needed for your install. I don't know what the '67-8 bezels are made out of, so you're on your own to figure out what bonding agent will work best.

I would suggest finding a spare bezel to make practice cuts and fitments with. To make the cuts, I used my trusty Dremmel and some cutting disks. I have some pics on my desktop PC of the installation of the adapter on my dash. I'll add those early tomorrow for ya.

Once you get the adapter secured to the bezel, and mounted to the dash, make sure it's not going to interfere with anything. Then support the back of the unit. Then ya should be good for the final hook ups.

Here's one of mine. Funny, it's the same stereo that's in the above picture. It doesn't stick out like the one above though. This is one of those stereo's that has the face that mechanically jogs out about a half an inch when you push a button. Cool function;

Fbody,

Do you have a close up of the side of the installed radio showing more clearly what method is used to make it look better?

Thanks,
David

Sure, I'll take a couple more pictures later on. It's installed a little 'deeper' and at a better angle than the one posted earlier in the thread.

And here's part of the 'trick' to it. You see the difference in the radio hole? I have these as extra if anyone needs one.

Jim, how much for the black dash piece?

David

$40?

Sounds like a bargain. You can't re-cover one for that.

I have the same problem with my '68. The dash was hacked for a CD player. Looks terrible. Then I found this....



I found it in this article from car audio mag:

http://www.caraudiomag.com/features/0704_cae_1967_chevrolet_camaro_ss/index.html

Does anyone have one or know where to get one?

Thanks

You could use one of the many under dash housings also.
http://tinyurl.com/yd6jsns

But the one they used in the Camaro looks nice and clean... It must be available somewhere?

I sent Auto Toyz of Coralville Iowa(installer mentioned in the article) an email through their web site. If they have one, I hope they ship to Canada. I also hope they're relatively inexpensive.

http://www.autoyz.com/index.html

Thanks for the link to those under dash mounts. The cutout was made before I got the car and I don't have an original radio at the moment. If I find an original(When I can afford one) I will definitely consider using one of those for my cd player.

Ben, you understand you'll have to severely cut your dash to make that work...

Yes, the previous owner already took care of that...
Some day I may patch it back up but this is just to make it look good for now. I just heard back from Auto Toyz. I mentioned the article in auto mag and they knew what I was talking about. They used an install kit that isn't made for our cars but looks good and fits well. They will sell it to me for $20.00 plus shipping. Still waiting to hear whether or not they'll ship to Canada though.
P.S. - I like your car Bronze Bird, nice color.

If they won't ship for some reason, let us know. One of us can buy it, have it shipped to us, then we can ship it on to you.

I do that for a few friends just North of the boarder in Vancouver... They have ebay stuff shipped to me and either come get it or I bring it up to them etc... or I've shipped it on etc..

Brett!

Thanks Brett. Will do. There are some really good people on here. I know from first hand experience.

Ben

The part is in the mail. It is coming directly to me from Iowa. I'll post some pics when I get it which will probably be Friday or the week after.

Ben - do you have the contact for that part - I've been looking for something similar

I had a friend who programs cnc machines fabricate one for me out of a piece of scrap nylatron:

http://www.autoyz.com/index.html
Phone: (319) 338-7020
Fax: (319) 338-7732
autotoyzllc@msn.com

I contacted them through the "contact us" tab at the bottom of their site, and later spoke with them on the phone. They were very helpful and shipped the kit to me within a week. Make sure to mention that you saw it in this article...
http://www.caraudiomag.com/features/0704_cae_1967_chevrolet_camaro_ss/index.html

It is called a Volvo Multi Kit 75-93

Here are some pictures of the kit. I received it monday morning. Sorry for the wait.





As you can see from the picture taken of it sitting on my dash bezel it doesn't quite cover the factory hole. I think that Auto Toyz used a Radio Delete bezel and cut their own hole. I might do that but I'm leaning towards making a flat piece to go behind and out to the edges where the fake wood meets the stainless.(Maybe out of the other piece sitting beside it that also came in the kit)

Forgot to mention that it is manufactured by Metra and is
No. 99-9222
Again, they call it the VOLVO MULTI-KIT 1975-93.

Ben