FINALLY installing 10.4" TS and carputer

[mabutler]

Originally Posted by TINY'S97

tonkadawg nice work on the install. quick question the front panel on your console is just held in with clips, and pulls out? wanting to do some stuff on mine just couldn't figure if it was screwed in or what.

Yes, both pieces pop out much like the dash surround.

[TINY'S97]

Originally Posted by mabutler

Yes, both pieces pop out much like the dash surround.

thanks i'm still new to the nbs, so i didn't want to start snatching and breaking. what about the panel that has the pass side air bag switch does it clip in place too. looks like it but again don't want to break stuff.

[mabutler]

Originally Posted by TINY'S97

thanks i'm still new to the nbs, so i didn't want to start snatching and breaking. what about the panel that has the pass side air bag switch does it clip in place too. looks like it but again don't want to break stuff.

I'm not certain, but I believe you have to take off the dash surround and then removed a couple screws to get that out.

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by TINY'S97

tonkadawg nice work on the install. quick question the front panel on your console is just held in with clips, and pulls out? wanting to do some stuff on mine just couldn't figure if it was screwed in or what.

thanks! What do you mean by front panel? The factory piece with the 2 cubby holes and cig lighter? If so, then yes mabutler is right, it's held into place by 4 clips that pop in and out. Also, you do have to remove the dash surround piece first - it pops out too.

If that's not what you're talking about, let me know and I'll do my best to help you.

[tonkadawg]

Got a lot more done, but nothing new in the way of pictures. We finalized the upper mounting bracket, got it drilled and screwed to the inner dash. Then we were able to install the new bezel, secure it to the mounting bracket at the top, and screw the lower portion in. Talk about a nice tight fit! Then we put the dash surround piece back in, just to make sure everything fit as expected.

Also, started doing some shaping FINALLY! Tomorrow we should have the whole thing sanded and shaped the way we want it, and quite possibly wrapped in felt.

[thekl0wn]

Originally Posted by tonkadawg

Got a lot more done, but nothing new in the way of pictures.

But what are we going to do without our daily fill of your dad's belly?

[tonkadawg]

I kept getting requests for Dad to put a shirt on, so I decided to keep the masses happy and keep him out of the photos

[BassBaller5]

Originally Posted by tonkadawg

I kept getting requests for Dad to put a shirt on, so I decided to keep the masses happy and keep him out of the photos

tragic

[tonkadawg]

Got the shaping and finish sanding done








Test fitting to see how it all flows together










Tomorrow I'll be wrapping it in felt and will then get started on designing and building the case.

I'm really happy with the final fit and shape of the new piece. I am now confident that the finished piece will look great.

And as promised, the plane my Dad is currently building:

[jamesg]

Looking REALLY GOOD . Your doing a great job keep the pic coming

[BassBaller5]

man that is slick! scrolling through the pics, i had planned to ask you where you learned your wood skills...and then i got to the plane pics so nvm!

[tonkadawg]

Thanks guys!

yeah, my father is the one with the wood skills and builds the planes - he's teaching me as we go through this project. So far I've learned a ton.

[thekl0wn]

I already forgot... I know you're wrapping it in felt, but what is the end covering going to be? The reason I ask is that I've had bad experiences with super porous stuff, like Balsa wood, with resin... It warps and loses its shape bad.

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by thekl0wn

I already forgot... I know you're wrapping it in felt, but what is the end covering going to be? The reason I ask is that I've had bad experiences with super porous stuff, like Balsa wood, with resin... It warps and loses its shape bad.

yeah, wrapping with felt, resin and laying a couple of layers of fiberglass. I am very concerned about the next phase of this project - I plan to reinforce before putting down and resin to prevent warping. Hopefully I'll be ok. Provided the fiberglass goes smoothly, I plan on painting with SEM paint to match the rest of the interior.

[thekl0wn]

Have you looked into having it wrapped in vinyl to match the interior? Only issue with that is getting the edges that meet the screen correct... It can be a serious PITA!

[tonkadawg]

I really didn't want to go that route - Dad has been trying really hard to get me to do it. To me, I don't think have that center console in vinyl and the rest of the dash and console between the seats be plastic. If that makes any sense?

[thekl0wn]

I know what you're saying about the vinyl & plastic, as far as feel goes, but unless you're going with the dark texture (like the radio bezel) the vinyl will look more OEM, quite simply because of the grain. Now with the SEM paints like you said above, I've seen them turn out with nearly identical texturing as the dark portion on the radio bezel.

[mabutler]

Originally Posted by thekl0wn

I know what you're saying about the vinyl & plastic, as far as feel goes, but unless you're going with the dark texture (like the radio bezel) the vinyl will look more OEM, quite simply because of the grain. Now with the SEM paints like you said above, I've seen them turn out with nearly identical texturing as the dark portion on the radio bezel.

I think that would look pretty good. Then it would match the other audio/video section of your dash and carry the theme down towards the cupholders which are the same.

[tonkadawg]

I plan on using a dark color on the angled part around the screen and then a lighter color to match the rest of the dash on the rest of the bezel. I know I'm picking the harder of the two, but when I picture the vinyl in head when it's done, I just get the 'something's off' feeling.

hey thanks for the write up on the fiberglass tech - it helped me remember everything I needed to order from US Composites.

[tonkadawg]

man now you guys have me second guessing the balsa and fiberglass solution and making me wonder if I really should be using vinyl...