Hidden dash radio

[TexasFordGuy]

This looks like a cool way to get a modern radio hidden in the dash.  I would like to know how they did this.

[JPotter57]

Pat Fleicshman did that.  That is in the dash of his much driven supercharged `57 Custom.  He is on here..will likely chime in once he sees this thread.  Very cool, and looks even cooler in person.

[sprink88]

That is pretty cool. Looks like you would need to purchase a radio delete plate

[JPotter57]

Yep, that's what it is, the metal box behind it uses a hinge kinda like what the ashtray has, so that the delete plate swings up and over the top of the head unit.

[suede57ford]

I modeled the swing arm for the plate off a fox body mustang console ashtray.   Took a bunch of trial and error to get the arms made just right so it would swing up into the dash.   The arms I made are panel bonded to the back of the radio delete plate.   It also has a spring that holds it up and down.

The trick was to recess the radio back at least an inch.   Just have some channel bent up out of at least 18 guage, make a little box out of it.  Weld the box to the dash, cut out radio opening.   

The plate swings above the box and you will have to cut an opening on the top of the box and edge of dash for the plate to swing up.

It took a couple very late nights to perfect, but it works great and I still can change out the radio if needed. 

I also hid all my speakers. The rear 6x9's are under a black tweed material that cover the rear deck.  It actually matches the original board grain some.  There are two 10's in a box behind the rear seat, two 3" in the original dash speakers and 2 6" speakers in the kick panels which I custom made after making metal boxes in the lower cowl behind the kick panels to recess and hide those speakers too.

The small XM antenea is mounted in the middle of the back window on top of the rear deck and the regular antenea is under the drivers seat, so i thas no external anteneas.

I wanted to to still look totally stock radio delete and prevent thieves from seeing any stereo equipment at all.

It sounds awesome no matter what music you listen to, even over my flowmaster exhaust.

[Jeff Norwell]

That is so very cool Pat.

[Frankenstein57]

That is a great idea

[sprink88]

That is a great idea. Good job on it.

[Ecode70D]

I wanted to to still look totally stock radio delete and prevent thieves from seeing any stereo equipment at all.

Pat
   You certainly did keep it looking stock.  Looks like you put a lot of thought into it and it looks great.
Jay

[TexasFordGuy]

Thanks Pat. I have a set 55 F-100 glove box hinges I thought might work too.  Do you have any drawings or templates do the hinders?