Stereo Install

[soak 'n fused]

hi boating pals- I want to cut out my dash to install a stereo in my Nissan 1690BR The dash is maybe 1/4 inch with some blown in foam in corners, etc. I used a cutting wheel on my drill to cut out the floor and that worked good but am a little worried about not getting a straight cut and with fine tuning the corners. Any suggestions?

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Stereo Install

It's hard to beat a dremel tool. Their little cut-off discs are kinda flimsy and break pretty easily but I get along a lot better using them for delicate stuff than anything else. Cut it out then slap in one of their sanding rollers to smooth it all up. The whole kit is around $30 at Wal-Mart. I use mine for something around the house most every week.

 

[General0]

Re: Stereo Install

I used a spiral cut tool from harbor freight tools. it worked really fast and made clean cuts. It also allowed me to get tight corners for a clean look. It cost all about 20.00 -30.00 dollars.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: Stereo Install

Usually a radio is mounted into what is called a "DIN" size rectangular slot. If your radio is one of these it probably came with a sleeve to mount the radio in. Trace the sleeve and then mask the area outside the tracing to protect aginst the ineviatble "slip" of the tool. Take a 1/2 or larger drill bit and drill a hole at each corner of the rectangle you need to cut. If the dash is truely 1/4" thick, you can use a hack saw blade wrapped in duct tape or the like.

 

[salty87]

Re: Stereo Install

i wouldn't sweat it too much. the face of the unit will extend out past the basket and cover up your cut....usually, depends on what you bought. you want to be fairly accurate though, of course.