Swap radio and heater control positions?

[Steelbuddha]

I've searched for prior threads on this subject and there aren't any. So, has anybody swapped the positions on the dash of the radio and the heater control pod? I have an '84 K20 with no AC. It has a dump bed, and a backup camera is really handy. It seems to me that given the similar heights and widths of the radio (it's already been modified for a DIN-sized radio) and the heater control pods, it shouldn't be too big of a deal to swap their positions (low to high). That would allow for a radio with a big touchscreen that would also serve as a monitor for the camera. Or even allow mounting a double-DIN-sized radio. Seems like you wouldn't even need to lengthen the wires or the cables for the heater controls. I have welding and 3D printing capability in case that's necessary.

Any good reason why this wouldn't work? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Rickf]

How big of a touch screen? Would one fit on the sun visor?

 

[Grit dog]

How big of a touch screen? Would one fit on the sun visor?

Sun visor?? Can’t picture that or how it would work.

 

[Steelbuddha]

How big of a touch screen? Would one fit on the sun visor?

Interesting thought. I'm trying to make good use of the "dead space" on the dash where there would be an air conditioning vent if the truck had air conditioning. Of course, if the truck had air conditioning, it would get 6 mpg.

 

[Dejure]

I see 0.0 reasons you cannot do it, if that's what you want.

I completely rebuilt my dash out of, first, fir, then mahogany. I built a console in place of visors and moved all the gauges there. Swapped the glove box cover for matching wood (with a Chev emblem and 1969 cut in and backed by mirror), mahogany over the shifter, mahogany lower door panels with boxes for speaker. . . . The point is, if it fits and works, aint no problem.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I recently got a magnetic mount backup camera that came with a small monitor. The connection between the camera and monitor is wireless and the camera has a battery/solar panel. It’s nice to be able to swap it from trailer to trailer.

My CUCV has an area above the heater controls where I put a mechanical oil pressure gauge. I think my BU cam monitor would fit there. This may be an easier option if your truck has nothing in this space.

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[Steelbuddha]

Good ideas, guys. Thanks! I'm going to mess with it and figure the 3D printer can probably hide all my sins. Worst case, a new dash bezel from LMC Truck.

 

[mtbadbob]

I'm thinking you may have an issue with the heater control vac lines reaching.

 

[Steelbuddha]

I'm thinking you may have an issue with the heater control vac lines reaching.

Good point, but this truck (1984) has no vac lines on the heater controls. Just cables. Not really cables, technically. Wires in sheaths. The only things that connect to the heater control panel are the electrical plug for the blower switch, a cable/wire for the heater box door, another cable/wire for the heat/defrost door, and the dash illumination bulb. Fred Flintstone's personal truck.