New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
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New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
I'm gonna be doing a new head unit install (probably this week(end)). What's the best thing to cut the back of the dash with (inside the radio hole)?
I have a dremel, but I'm a little nervous to use something spinning at 20k RPM's with all those electronics/wires back there. Plus, it's not cordless, and will somehow have to find power. I have a cordless drill, is there a good attachment I could pick up for it to do the job?
Just looking for suggestions.
I have a dremel, but I'm a little nervous to use something spinning at 20k RPM's with all those electronics/wires back there. Plus, it's not cordless, and will somehow have to find power. I have a cordless drill, is there a good attachment I could pick up for it to do the job?
Just looking for suggestions.
-Joshua-
- harofreak00
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Dremel 561 Bit.

If you are honestly concerned about hitting wires, you shouldn't be using a power tool. Move the wires out of the way. If you do screw up the dash wiring harness, I have a spare

If you are honestly concerned about hitting wires, you shouldn't be using a power tool. Move the wires out of the way. If you do screw up the dash wiring harness, I have a spare
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
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Rusgreim
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
I used a dremel with a cutting drill bit in it. There are only 2 electronics you need to worry about: the flat ribbon cable that runs upwards from the dock in the back, and the thermostat cable which is running behind the right hand side, basically behind the antennae plug. BE VERY CAREFUL! These are not repairable once damaged, so if you cut or even nick them you will regret that very much. Slow and steady. I used 3 passes over every cut to remove just a little more plastic each time until I was through.
Russell (Rus or Rusty)
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
LOL - I'm sure you do have a dash wiring harness... If I need to buy it from you, you have to come help me install it. 
Thanks for the dremel bit advice. I'll just take my time and be careful. I've just seen what damage a dremel can do in a split second of carelessness. Not on anything of mine, mind you, and it wasn't me that did it, but whatever...
Thanks for the dremel bit advice. I'll just take my time and be careful. I've just seen what damage a dremel can do in a split second of carelessness. Not on anything of mine, mind you, and it wasn't me that did it, but whatever...
-Joshua-
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lewis26
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Didn't someone use a heated up knife on the old forum?
I seem to remember something like that.
I seem to remember something like that.
-Mike

Current Mods: Silverstar Ultra Low's and High's, Direct In Aux Input Jack, Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts
Audio: 12" Alpine Type-R Sub || Eclipse XA1200 500w amp

Current Mods: Silverstar Ultra Low's and High's, Direct In Aux Input Jack, Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts
Audio: 12" Alpine Type-R Sub || Eclipse XA1200 500w amp
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
I may have to check that out. Seems a little less dangerous on wire cutting, but I'm not sure how effective it would be without getting it VERY hot. lol I may have to just log into the old site and do a search.
-Joshua-
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lewis26
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
I think it was a sticky.
just look in the old audio section. It was titled "How to install an aftermarket deck 00+" I think
just look in the old audio section. It was titled "How to install an aftermarket deck 00+" I think
-Mike

Current Mods: Silverstar Ultra Low's and High's, Direct In Aux Input Jack, Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts
Audio: 12" Alpine Type-R Sub || Eclipse XA1200 500w amp

Current Mods: Silverstar Ultra Low's and High's, Direct In Aux Input Jack, Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts
Audio: 12" Alpine Type-R Sub || Eclipse XA1200 500w amp
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Alright, got the new deck installed today. Looks and sounds great!!!
Next weekend = new speakers front and rear!
Here's the deck I went with (Pioneer DEH-P6000UB):

Next weekend = new speakers front and rear!
Here's the deck I went with (Pioneer DEH-P6000UB):

-Joshua-
- Red Rocket
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)

Audio: 12" Alpine Type R in 2.3 cu. ft. box tuned to 31 hz, Audiobahn A8000T, Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.1, Kicker wiring
Mods: Cross drilled and slotted rotors, hopefully more to come soon
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
There will be eventually. lolRed Rocket wrote:
-Joshua-
- harofreak00
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
what did you end up cutting the hole with?
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Oh, I forgot to mention what I used!
I used the bit you suggested, the #561. I went and picked it up with a small hand saw with a PVC blade. I used the dremel for the big stuff, and the mini hand saw for the 'fine tuning.' Turned out fine.
I solved my power issue by using my power inverter. I know you are supposed to disconnect the battery power when doing this, but I was in a bind and didn't want to use the hand saw for the whole thing.
I used the bit you suggested, the #561. I went and picked it up with a small hand saw with a PVC blade. I used the dremel for the big stuff, and the mini hand saw for the 'fine tuning.' Turned out fine.
I solved my power issue by using my power inverter. I know you are supposed to disconnect the battery power when doing this, but I was in a bind and didn't want to use the hand saw for the whole thing.
-Joshua-
- harofreak00
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Where the hell do you live that you don't have power where you park your car? 
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
My apartment. lol
I could run an extension cable to my car if I didn't live on the 3rd floor. Oh, and if I had a long enough cable to use... lol
I could run an extension cable to my car if I didn't live on the 3rd floor. Oh, and if I had a long enough cable to use... lol
-Joshua-
- gonzo4191
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
must be a SD thing.
-Juan
No bonnie!
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No bonnie!
93 s10 ex cab: 2.8: t5: exhaust: tbi mods. 5.3, 76mm, and a D.r cam on a stand
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
We are just happy that we finally got electoroicicity last week. Give it time and they'll get some of them there new fangled out-of-doors sparkler boxes.
-Joshua-
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its840
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
i dont understand.. why did you have to cut your dash??
2 wheels and 2 pedals... much cheaper that way...
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lewis26
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Not the dash, but the plastic behind the stock stereo. It needs to be cut out so that a standard depth deck can fit in there properly. The stock deck is shallower.
-Mike

Current Mods: Silverstar Ultra Low's and High's, Direct In Aux Input Jack, Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts
Audio: 12" Alpine Type-R Sub || Eclipse XA1200 500w amp

Current Mods: Silverstar Ultra Low's and High's, Direct In Aux Input Jack, Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts
Audio: 12" Alpine Type-R Sub || Eclipse XA1200 500w amp
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Re: New Deck Install (what to cut the hole with?)
Yep, exactly what lewis26 said. I didn't NEED to cut the hole, but it made things fit in MUCH nicer. It depends on your deck you install probably if it will fit nicely or not. I wanted to do it since my old deck was crammed in there, and stuck out a little more than I liked.
-Joshua-

