How to Hide the Audio System

I was seeking a remote location to install the audio in our Street Rod. I’ve never been a fan of punching a hole in the dash to fit the latest flavor of mobile audio. Typically, I keep just enough of the factory head unit to fill the space in the dash and light up with the rest of the dash lights.

How to Hide the Audio System

The glove box is a logical spot to conceal the radio while still keeping it accessible. Heck, it doesn’t even need to be available in this day and age. It only needs to pick up the Bluetooth signal from your phone and you’re ready to go.

I could have measured and cut a cardboard template to make a sheet metal substitute for my stereo. I then remembered that we had sold one. Through the use of a replica glovebox insert.

I wanted my version to be shallower so that the wire could clear the firewall behind the stereo. I just cut the cardboard version into sections until I had the form and size I wanted. Starting with a specified quantity allows you to transfer the mounting holes, etc. from the original part to your produced part directly.

Leftover race car tin (aluminum) is an excellent material for these types of projects. It’s pre-finished and incredibly simple to deal with. Even if you don’t have advanced sheet metal bending equipment.

Speaking of a lack of advanced bending equipment, this is what I used to start making crisp folds. After I finished the shape, I drilled and glued the seams together and installed the stereo in the dash. I discovered a plethora of different applications for the remainder of that sheet as well. It is an excellent material for speaker installation. It is less susceptible to buzzing than steel and is simple to dampen.