Dashboard modifications + more

[LiquidVX]

Please do keep us posted as you now have me thinking of doing it again if your relocations are a success.

The relocating was probably the simplest part of this whole thing. You have to disconnect a couple cables from the back of the AC controls and route them under the dash support so the controls fit in their new location. Then remove the bottom plastic of the dash do you don't get shavings in your car. Cut out the ashtray and power socket plastic. After you have to make new mounts for the heater controls. Take some cardboard and cut it to shape a mold, these pieces are placed on the inside of the dash plastic. Tape them in place so your mold does not have run off. Pour some premixed plastic type resin in to fill the mold. After it cures drill out the mounting holes for the heater controls and you're done with that part. All that is left is to trim the interior vent plastic and make a new duct to connect the dash vents to the AC system. I folded up some cardboard and taped it to hold, then glassed it up for strength and insulation. I could have just left it cardboard and duct tape but I assumed moisture would have it way with it over time. I will post pics of the process when I get a chance.

[tomdietrying]

Wow......................that's going to be SWEET! Now, how much are you charging to do that mod for a fellow VXer?
Peace.
Tom

[LiquidVX]

Now, how much are you charging to do that mod for a fellow VXer?

Ha, let's see how mine comes out first.

The screen will be mounted totally flat right? How do you think the glare will be when driving? Are you running windows CE, automotive edition? Windows Media Center 2005? It would be interesting to take the software/hardware from ford's sync system, which runs off of windows CE.

The screen will sit slightly recessed with about an 1.25" overhang but glare may still be an issue. A video review of this screen on Youtube said glare wasn't too bad but that remains to be seen.

Ford's Sync would be interesting but I wanted a full fledged computer, just in a small form factor. After bench testing the computer I found it was fast enough to run Windows 7, Centrafuse 3.0, and 720p Avatar without lag. I stripped down Windows 7, streamlined the bios, gave the computer 4Gb of ram and use a OCZ Vertex 96GB SSD for decreased boot time. I needed something with extra power so the computer could drive 2 screens and wake from sleep in 5 seconds.

[vt_maverick]

Wow......................that's going to be SWEET! Now, how much are you charging to do that mod for a fellow VXer?
Peace.
Tom

The more I read this thread the less I believe I could afford to pay someone to do it.

[WormGod]

Looks pretty clean. Good work.

I remember doing the same thing X10 with an old Toyota SR5 pickup I had. Old clunky exterior design but the interior rivaled that of a a modern GT-R. And this was back in '90, heh.

[Kenny]

nicely done. kudos.