73 Eldorado dash/ stereo help

[tlannom]

I have a 73 Eldorado Pace Car that the previous owner cut out the dash for a modern radio. Is there an easier way to bring it back to the original radio than replacing the entire dash? The original radio had three cut outs (2 for knobs and one for the radio)

Thanks

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

In a word..... No.....

Someone cut the dash in my '72 to fit a later radio and butchered it.

Just the other day, I swapped the dash that I had out of a '71, that had also been butchered, but not as bad, and installed my new radio.

You will have to find a good fascia and it takes time to remove the original, as there are a lot of things to unscrew, unplug, and everything is really getting in the way.

The first picture shows the '72 fascia with the cut-out, and an Oil Pressure Gauge hole, and the second one shows the '71 fascia at the bottom, with the knob holes butchered, for a later radio.

The second one gives you an idea of what you end up with to get the dash out so you can change things over.

The last one is with the '71 back in, and the cut-out completed for the new radio.   Never had a good 8 Track to put back in, and the oil pressure gauge removed as I know what the pressure is.

One thing that I found is that these fascia inserts are really hard to cut holes in, as the wood-grain backing is steel.   Had to cut out for the Cruise Control without cutting excess material.   At least, with the radio, the cover plate hides any problems.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

Some of the classic radio vendors have a trim plate that would cover a hole like that.  I don't think they will work with a factory radio but do work with the somewhat classic looking radios. 

I didn't know the pace cars had window defrosters.    That did not seem to be a super common option on the converts so finding a dash with the 3 switch holes may be harder than finding one with just the two.    I have a couple parts cars and can't remember if either has the defroster.   They both have original radios.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The switch panel just pops out with virtually no pressure at all.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

Thats good.  That will make it a lot easier to find a replacement.  Too bad the radio section wasn't that way too. 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Pity Cadillac didn't make it easier to access things like the dash light globe as to replace these, one has to remove the top cover to get to them.   With my big hands, it is impossible to get to them from underneath, even after removing the bottom cover.

Having had my dash out a number of times, I always check the globes before putting everything back.

At least, with the flat floor of the Eldorado, life is a lot easier than if there was a transmission hump.

Bruce.

[76eldo]

Here's a suggestion.  As much as I hate to see a hold cut in a Cadillac dash, whoever did it did a nice clean job.  I think the opening you have is called a single DIN opening and that size will accommodate most aftermarket radios.  Since it's already done, maybe just go for a modern type AM-FM CD unit?

If you want it to be all stock you will need to get the trim panel from a parts car along with the proper radio.

On a 76-78, there are speed nuts that you can get to from underneath and from inside of the glovebox opening.  73's may be completely different.

One caution, disconnect the battery.  The top switch is hot all the time and will make a smokey mess if you accidentally ground it out.

Brian

[Thule]

my car has a cut panel, and a radio probably from the late 70's, that is getting a antique it self, but is horribly bad, i need to adjust it constantly when i drive,

i must admit that i was kinda pleased with that someone had allready cut it, than i can put some nice radio in it, because i would never cut the panel my self