I am planningon installing an in-dash head unit in my 1973 dodge dart swinger, but i have to cut the dash. what tool would work the best? i dont have any power tools in my collection and I am looking for a first time purchase. some have said the dremel or other similar rotary tool would work well. I am looking for a tool with good compromise of versatility, functionality, reliability, and price.

any input is good.

thanks

Caesar

A lot of people will tell you to not cut the dash. I personally am on both sides of the fence 1 valiant I will never cut the other I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I don't know if a dremel can hold up to that level of cutting. I personally would get about a 4 inch angle grinder and use a cutting wheel. The only problem with this method is it will throw sparks all over the place. They do make underdash mounts for cars such as yours. There is another thread floating around the last few weeks that discusses it in detail.

Dremel makes many different models.
The bigger ones can do most jobs you can think of...

And get one with adjustable speed, so you don´t just melt plastic, or explode cheap tools with it

I also avoid cutting into the dashes, but on out latest raffle car (see http://www.tidewatermoparclub.com ), the dash had already been crudely cut and so I used my Sawzall to get it roughly right for a DIN mount, then used a Dremel tool w/ 409 wheel to clean it up. The DIN mount that came w/ the AM/FM/CD worked quite well and with the supplied bracket in back, is very solid.

You can get an underdash mounting kit from Crutchfield if you don't want to cut up the dash. It's $25, or free if you buy a radio from them over $129.99.

Steve G.

While I'm not against cutting the dash, if I had to do it all again I'd use the under-dash mount kit, too. It was a hassle to cut the sheetmetal, and I realize now how much easier it would be to switch units with the under-dash kit (although easier to steal as well).

VM

i used a hack saw blade. i didnt want to use any type of power tool for fear of it cutting too fast. i used the blade and i worked fine. probably not the best way but thats how i did it.

watch out for the cigarette lighter power source back there. i got a little jolt through that blade.

I used a set of "reds" (right turn) and "greens" (left turn) tin snips on my '64 Dart. They cut super clean if you buy good ones (Wiss); you can cut the dash like scissors thru paper.

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"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

I used a dremmel with the reinforced cut off wheel

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