On the left I followed the original cut and took off about 1-1/2 inches. My original dash had been cut up so bad it wasn't of any use for anything. This one is actually a 74 Dart dash that I picked up for cheap. But, the car as a whole is not going to be close to original so I didn't mind cutting the dash. Of course there is always that moment of indecision when the die grinder is whirring and the thought enters your mind that once you make the cut, there is no going back. Part of the fun....