This is what I had before. Cracked pad. Large hole from an old Vintage Air system. A metallic, dark, green paint that didn't match anything else on the truck. And the gauge had more than a few cracks.
ugh...
I had a couple extra dashes in the basement and decided to start with one from a 70-72 (I think). It had never been cut for a DIN stereo. But I decided to do some cutting to make it my own. I just cut out some things are rearranged them. Bought a quart of Wimbledon white and had the guys at work lay down a couple coats.
Bought an OEM heater box and upgraded with Blazer blower motor and fan.
Got a RetroSound stereo with dash speaker and USB port.
Prettied up the factory gauge and added LED backlights.
Ran my diagnostic port into the ashtray. Got a new steering wheel from Ebay. And put on a new dash pad. Viola!
I thought the icing on the cake would be the new dash pad. But then I found a family cage for sale on CL. Even though I have a little fluxcore welder, I hired welders to take care of this. I think it was worth it. OEM bar before...
Cage after
