The project from hell - in dash screen mounting

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 19:42
ThreadID: 35465 Views:3606 Replies:11 FollowUps:31
This Thread has been Archived
After reading the thread on in car PC install, I thought I’d get off my ass and do something about mine...I've had the parts for a while...but when it comes to the install, everything has to be custom set out, mounts fabricated etc (too hard basket)

I spent ages this morning, sitting in the Patrol trying to work out where to mount my 8" screen. Everything seemed a compromise between:

Viewing angle
Glare
Visibility from outside the vehicle = theft or fine from police
Ease of install and wiring.

I want it neat. and I don’t want to attract too much attention to the vehicle...So I finally decided to install it in the dash above the stereo. Nice angle can be seen by passenger and driver, Can’t be seen by other cars, and isn’t sticking out like dogs proverbials on the dash.

Problem…It’s not the easiest task to butcher (and I mean butcher) a GQ dash to fit said screen. Next pic is not my car…but another GQ so you can see the dash layout.



The heater is by far the trickiest piece to relocate, with the good old fashion wires that slide back and forth to adjust heat, vent selection and recirculate or fresh. However mucking round for 2 hours scratching my head I think it’s possible, and I have hit it with a hacksaw so there’s no going back lol…The top air vents will disappear, the clock, cig lighter will be relocated. The ash tray will go…

I’ve ripped the thing apart so far…

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/Revhead307/Dashout.jpg

This project will take me a fair while…as it’s an after hours pursuit. However I’ll post progress pics as I go (for anyone that wants to see me make a mess of my car lol)

In the past I’ve done lots of wiring, spotties, stereos, amps, speakers, custom rear storage etc etc, but this is probably the most ambitious project I’ve tackled.

Sorry for the long post, but as the late Big Kev would say..

I’m Excited

Rev

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Reply By: revhead307 - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 19:45

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 19:45
Damn pic links...one day ill get it lol
AnswerID: 181465

Follow Up By: Mr Fawlty - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:19

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:19
All I can say is: GUTZY PLAY Rev, at least you are having a go.
I had a tough decision to make to put a chassis punch through the roof of my Jack to install the UHF antenna there, took me months to get up the gutz to put the hole there and the only time I really needed to use the UHF I was pleased I mounted it there with heaps of good ground plane around it & not shielded by the Van it gave me a signal that was picked up 57km away and got me rescued....

The final result, will, I'm sure do you credit.
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Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:18

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:18
Lets see




AnswerID: 181470

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:19

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:19
The least I could do for a brave person such as yourself Rev :)))))))
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Follow Up By: Mr Fawlty - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:22

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:22
A sterling effort Gramps, positively sterling...
But I wonder where he will fit his Wurlitzer organ????
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:26

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:26
Steady on Mr Fawlty. Too many sharp and nasty bits there to be considering exposing the Wurlitzer LOLOL
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Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:54

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:54
Gramps

Would you mind telling me how to put pitchers on to this forum ?

Thanks

BBB
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:58

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:58
Thanks Gramps!

Yes, there was a fair bit of umming and arring before I made the decision. I've made some cuts now too...so its not going back the same way LOL

Needless to say the Mrs is a little sceptical :-)

In for a penny..in for a pount i say.

Rev
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FollowupID: 437820

Follow Up By: gramps - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:56

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:56
BBB,

No problem. There's a couple of ways to do it. The one I used above is a bit different because Rev had done most of the groundwork and all I had to do was a bit of copy/paste work.

You can post pictures from your Member's Photo Gallery but they stay locked (you can't delete them) until the Post is archived (30 or more days later, I think). That's the "Add Gallery Picture" option for Members that appears at the bottom of the Post or Follow-up box.

Generally though, you have to have your photos/images loaded to a site on the Net like www.photobucket.com (free) or your ISP or somewhere else.

You will need two browser windows open to continue. One will be on Exploroz (either a Post or Follow-up window) and the other on your account where the images are stored e.g. photobucket.

Once the pics are loaded to the Net, you copy/paste the "For Images" line in the "To Post Hyperlinks:" section that appears below the Post or Follow-up box in your Exploroz window, into your Post or Follow-up.

e.g. img src=" domain.com/image_path" (include theat the end. I've had to leave them out here because the system stops me from sending a dud address).

In your photobucket window there are three boxes under each photo (Url, Tag and IMG). Click on the box beside Url (the contents will be highlighted). Click Edit then Copy on the toolbar at the top of your browser window ( says something like File Edit View Go etc).

Then go to your Exploroz window, highlight from "http .... to .....path". Click Edit then Paste on the toolbar at the top of your browser window. This should enter the address of your photo. It won't display until you submit the Post or Follow-up.



Hope this makes sense. Send me a Member Message if you have problems.

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FollowupID: 437826

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:59

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:59
Damn! I hate when I go from Member to Visitor status when I'm babbling on hahahahahaha
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FollowupID: 437829

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:46

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:46
Al, I didn't know you were a part time member. Do we need to welcome you again? hehheeeeeee
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:49

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:49
I am just working out a laptop slide in the "second" glovebox above the real glovebox in Moses at the moment. No photos until I get it there though. I hashed the panel out with a saw and angle grinder this arvo. Got an aluminium floor riveted in so far, but need to work out a bit more.
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:50

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:50
John,

Hahahahahahaha I better not say any more :)))))
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:35

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:35
Gramps

I'm trying

http://floyd.bigblog.com.au/data/1/5387/image/Van13466420060625231749.jpg

Richard
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:37

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:37
Me again





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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:38

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:38
Thanks

Always better to read before you post LOL

Richard
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:38

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:38
hahahaha well done Richard. You got it before I'd finished reading your first post :)))
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:50

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:50
its from my free blog site with "bigpond" that's good to see I may use it more

Richard
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:57

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:57
Thanks Gramps, finally got pic posting under control :-)

Rev
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 00:08

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 00:08
Also you maybe interested in where John and Willem are



this is off the Bcom tracking system

seems a good thing

Richard

Ps note time and date
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 00:28

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 00:28
Looks good Richard. They'd be having a great time I'd wager.
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Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 17:16

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 17:16
Just a test!MPG:4!!MPG:4!
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Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 17:18

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 17:18
Thanks Gramps

BBB
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 17:23

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 17:23
No worries BBB. Happy to help and glad you could understand my rambling :))))
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 09:59

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 09:59
Richard ,

By your map it looks like Willem is on the Eagle Hwy at the Warri and Yatunga site .

I you can contact him tell him it will be a very difficult crossing to The Calverts via Mt Madley with his camper and I suggest he changes his plans to go across .We did it with three cars only, in June and it was quite tough . Fourteen stake punctures , very difficult to find any wheel tracks and very soft sandhills .We were averaging 7 kph for much of the trip and that was not as the crow flies .

Thanks ,

Willie
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 21:05

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 21:05
Willie

I will try, message today as follows

On Tue Jul 04 09:31:48 EST 2006 your [Bcon] mailbox received a new message from John Poelwyk

The Message says:

== *Broadcast* ALL GOOD STILL MOVING WEST TO CALVERT RANGES ==
== *Broadcast* VERY REMOTE COUNTRY. THE ISOLATION IS MAGNIFICENT. HAVING A BALL ==
== *Broadcast* VEHICLE RUNNING WELL. MISS MY SHOWER LOL ==

Richard

PS if they are heading west I would say they are already on the track you are talking about.
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FollowupID: 438166

Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 23:40

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 23:40
Richard ,
Well If they are having such a great time and enjoying themselves so much , they must be finding it easy with the camper . I shall have to find out the secret to Willem's success when he gets back .
Maybe they have filled the camper with helium and are floating it over the dunes !
Thanks ,
Willie .
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FollowupID: 438207

Reply By: Groove - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:41

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:41
Should be an interesting project.

If you havnt already done so checkout the forum section of www.mp3car.com theres lot of info on projects like yours.
AnswerID: 181490

Reply By: STEVE069 - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:52

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:52
Hi revhead307, Here is just a thought, Why not mount the screen in frunt of all the org controls and hinge it on the LHS and latch on the RHS, this way you dont have to move anything and you could make it removable.
Steve
AnswerID: 181494

Reply By: revhead307 - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:20

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:20
Cheers for the link ill check it out

Yeah, I did think of mounting over top of controls (didnt think of hinges tho lol)

But ive made up my mind now..and i like a challenge. Im still working on it (only 8:20pm over here) and ive just mounted the heater unit above the stereo (after hacking, grinding and general mayhem to make it fit). havent re-set the linkage wires yet, may have to cut and re-bend them

Only bought the car last year...so will have it for long enough to make the modifications worthwhile.

Rev
AnswerID: 181504

Reply By: crfan - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:08

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:08
Hi revhead I always ring up the dealer and price the parts that i'm about to destroy before I make a move $400 for a bonnett and about $200 for the sound proofing before I cut a hole in the bonnet for my 80 series to put the intercooler in and the scoop ()nissan) think if this is new price should be able to put my car back to standard for less than that plus paint..
Hope to see a finished photo soon.
crfan
AnswerID: 181517

Follow Up By: revhead307 - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:53

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:53
Good point crfan :-)

I usually keep my eye out for private wrecks in my travels...and will salvage the parts i need just in case. have saved $$$ getting parts from privately wrecked vehicles over time.

The screen is just sitting there at the mo for sizing. Aint outta the woods yet, but have made ok progress for a lazy day. (should have started yesterday...cos now im having fun..but its getting late)


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Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:53

Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 23:53
Rev,

Please keep us posted on progress. I've got all (I think????) of the In-car PC threads on Threadwatch just in case I decide to take to the Lux's dash with a chainsaw hahahahahaha

p.s. Definitely NOT trying to hijack your thread
AnswerID: 181521

Reply By: Bob - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 08:12

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 08:12
Although of no assistance to revhead here is another solution to fitting an in dash screen.
Fits into a standard din size radio hole or cut your own.
Mine is connected so that it opens when the ign/accessory is on but you can have it as a manual switching as well.

Bob




AnswerID: 181536

Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 09:12

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 09:12
Bob, nothing about what you have but I am a bit "ho-hum" about those and their capability to deal with corriegations and roughness of handling. They don't seem to be integrated into the dashboard as well as what others are attempting. They do hide it pretty well though.
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FollowupID: 437862

Reply By: revhead307 - Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 09:03

Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 09:03
Wont, have any progress now til next weekend...Doing some training each night this week for a 2nd job and will be home too late.

Thanks for the comments thus far.

I will update when I have some changes.

Regards

Rev

AnswerID: 181546

Reply By: hz75 - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 17:51

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 17:51
>

AnswerID: 181796

Reply By: cokeaddict - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:44

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:44
just testing

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/cokeaddict57/Pic_27993.jpg
AnswerID: 181811

Follow Up By: cokeaddict - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:47

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:47
<img src=http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/cokeaddict57/Pic_27993.jpg
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FollowupID: 438126

Follow Up By: cokeaddict - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:48

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:48
<img src=http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/cokeaddict57/WR450F003.jpg
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FollowupID: 438127

Follow Up By: cokeaddict - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:48

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:48
i give up
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Follow Up By: Moggs - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:04

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:04
LOL, no! Don't give up....keep going...You can do it! LOL.

BTW, why are you parked on the fragile high country grass??? ;-)
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FollowupID: 438131

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