[Elarson]

I bought a delete plate from Firebird Central that is advertised for '70-'81 but it's too big for my '75. Does anybody make a correct one for 1975? Or maybe a used factory part?

Eric

[bhill86]

Probably ten years ago I made my own cause I couldn’t find one but maybe there is now

[yahooskidoo]

I made my own from a scrap piece of black textured plastic. It will work until I find something better.

[dataway]

If I had the dimensions of an original, and some photos I'm guessing I could 3d print a pretty nice one ... might have to experiment to get an acceptable texture.

Not offering, busy right now ... but anyone with a 3d printer could probably make a nice one.

[Trevor78]

Naturally, the ad is incorrect. That blank panel will only fit a 78-81 dash. The 70-77 panel doesn't exist in repro, original was rare.

[dataway]

Someone get me the measurements ... I'll try one. Just figured out how to print multiple colors ... can even print it with silver trim in place. Installer would just have to come up with a way to fasten it in place.

[Elarson]

Originally Posted by dataway

Someone get me the measurements ... I'll try one. Just figured out how to print multiple colors ... can even print it with silver trim in place. Installer would just have to come up with a way to fasten it in place.

Thanks! I'll work up some dimensions and get it to you.
I can RTV it in place...no need for mounting features on the back
I can cover your expenses, etc....no problem.

Eric

[Trevor78]

#479381 is the 70-77 plate.

Radio delete panel 70_77 479381 by Ben, on Flickr

#10001245 is the 78-81 plate.

GM 10001245 radio delete 78_81 NOS by Ben, on Flickr

A 70-77 radio bezel will obviously work for dimensions.

https://cdn.classicindustries.com/as.../F/F117077.JPG

[unruhjonny]

I just figured you could buy regular 70-77 faceplate and put a textured vinyl overlay across it...

[dataway]

Originally Posted by Elarson

Thanks! I'll work up some dimensions and get it to you.
I can RTV it in place...no need for mounting features on the back
I can cover your expenses, etc....no problem.

Eric

No expenses needed. The better the dimensions, the better the outcome of course. Won't look as nice as the OEM pieces posted in this thread, but it would be straight, flat, have radiused corners ... and a step down if that is necessary. Hey ... I could even add silver lettering with whatever message you want

Feel free to PM the details. Would be easier than going back and forth in this thread.

[Elarson]

The dash is not a real precise piece and hard to measure. So I made a few cardboard mock-ups until I got one that looked pretty reasonable. Picture with dimensions attached.

Eric

[dataway]

Originally Posted by Elarson

The dash is not a real precise piece and hard to measure. So I made a few cardboard mock-ups until I got one that looked pretty reasonable. Picture with dimensions attached.

Eric

Excellent, have a few questions, I'll PM you my email address. I'll turn that into a CAD drawing and post it here for your examination.

[turbo69bird]

Originally Posted by dataway

Someone get me the measurements ... I'll try one. Just figured out how to print multiple colors ... can even print it with silver trim in place. Installer would just have to come up with a way to fasten it in place.

If you printed two round 1/4 to 3/8 inch tall round stands on the back they can be tapped and threaded for studs

[cnc]

Originally Posted by dataway

Excellent, have a few questions, I'll PM you my email address. I'll turn that into a CAD drawing and post it here for your examination.

That CAD would be nice for anyone havin access to 3D printer....

[dataway]

Here the general situation .... the "prints" come out with a very nice texture bottom where they lay against the build sheet. The side that gets built up (top) has an OK texture, quite nice from a couple feet away. What this means is things can only be built up from one side ... so yep, you could easily add the bosses for tapping, AND also have a very nice texture on the side that shows ... but no "features" on the side that shows, no edge relief pattern around the circumference etc.

But yes ... if I know the hole location and max height bosses that can be done no problem ... even with a couple of "starter" holes in them.

I'll certainly send the CAD file and STL print file to anyone that wants it ... not sure there is a way to do that on the forum ... again, would be cool if we had a place where members could store all the various files and information generated by this forum.

[dataway]

I'm finding this photo in the link provided by Trevor to be a good guide.



And here is a render of the dimensions on the cardboard template ... although I did change the large corner radius from 3/4 to 1/2 ... the larger dimension seemed too big. Sorry I didn't use more contrasting colors ... and it's trimmed down to be the exact same size as the photo above ... so hard to see the radiuses.



I overlayed them and they seem very close ... if I can verify the widest point, and the height, I can use the photo of the radio bezel as template for the CAD drawing.

I've got a couple other members helping me out with nailing down the dimensions too.

[Elarson]

The dimensions I gave are assuming a flat plate. If a raised edge is added to be like the radio bezel, the overall dimensions will need to flare out larger but the flat on the back needs to be no larger than my dimensions.

Eric

[bhill86]

Would having a radio bezel assist in any way? I have an old one that is worn but intact I’d donate to the cause if wanted. Let me know.

[dataway]

Originally Posted by Elarson

The dimensions I gave are assuming a flat plate. If a raised edge is added to be like the radio bezel, the overall dimensions will need to flare out larger but the flat on the back needs to be no larger than my dimensions.

Eric

Excellent, glad you told me that. I now have in my possession, (thanks to HeldforRansom) some excellent high rez photos of a radio plate. I should be able to use your dimensions, and the outside shape of the photos to nail down the exact shape.

Might be able to get something in the works tonight.

bhill ... I'll keep that in mind if I end up needing something in my hand, thank you.

[dataway]

Well, here is the first attempt.

On this example I added a couple of mounting bosses that should line up with the knob holes, they are about 2/10ths inch deep, about 1/2" diameter and have a small starter hole in them.

Finish is a nice satin texture. Sized to fit INSIDE the recess I assume the dash has since it doesn't have the "step" and lip that the OEM plates have.

Don't see a problem printing one with the step and lip ... however it would be flat on the front if you want the nice finish and mounting bosses on the back. I could also print them with the lip and the "dished" front that the OEM type has, but without the nicer finish, and without the mounting bosses ... finish would still look decent .. just more of a linear or "moire" pattern rather than uniform satin.

Before I'd attempt to make a copy of the OEM type ... I'd probably want to have an original, or a radio bezel in my hands to measure. I guess if we took this to the extreme I could print "adapter" type bezels for non-stock radios etc. When I know if this fits and works, I'll post the print files to some place like "Thingiverse", and or email it to anyone that wants it.

Elarson ... PM me your address and I will send it out so you can see if it fits.