55 replies to this topic

[smiley]

I admire your effort, I really want a single din android headunit for torque and the rest.
 

 

Just start looking around.

You need a flip out version, that has extra reach to clear our dash.

I believe some kenwoods can, but maybe there are more. Maybe even an android one.

 

edit: found one, but probably does not clear the dash.

http://www.bingselec...ooth-2545-p.asp

Should be more out there though.

 

Edited by smiley, 24 August 2013 - 09:54 AM.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

As for colorcoding, this is now the third dark shade you've used.

Also a lot of contrast between the black plastic color, and the grey fabric cover you've used.

Your complete look and feel would look better sticking to a single cover up color imo.

 

When will the (modded?) dash go back on, as i am curious on how you solved the new curves.

 

 

Three? The deep black covering on the new radio surround panel is actually the same as on my door surrounds, I think it's the camera flash that makes it look grey. I am trying to have as few shades as possible as I agree that like you said it all ties in better that way. However I do want to keep some contrast in place between red, silver/grey and black. The dash top will probably be done in the same charcoal grey as my center console or if I can't find a close enough match I'll just re-do both so they do match.  

 

You can just about see the start of a curve in the making on the dash photo in post 3. Basically I aim to have a small curved lip over hanging the contour of the face plate all along the top. It will no doubt be placed on and off numerous times as I check the fit and tweak accordingly so I'll post more pics in due course.

[smiley]

 

 so I'll post more pics in due course.

 

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

This build is slowly nearing completion, a bit more smoothing and tweeking of the dash top and it will be ready to get upholstered. Looks so much better with the top in place and I think the new curves work really well. I think I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I'll have to pay to get the dash sent off and covered professionaly. The angles around the tray are quite complex and I wouldn't really know how to go about placing the joins etc, as such I feel it beyond my abilities to do the job to a nice standard. If it wasn't for this it would be an easy and enjoyable DIY for me to do. One thing someone might be able to help me with. Is there a slight gap between your dash top and window surround where you can just about see the plastic of the heater ducting? It's around the area where the start button groove finishs if you shine a light through the windscreen from outside? There is on mine and I can't remember if it has allways been like that or not. I can't really see what has caused it if it hasn't as the two rear locater pins are seated fully in their holes and I'm pretty sure nothing is fouling anywhere.

[fezzasus]

There's a bit of a gap, completely non-functional though.

[RabnaKS]

Looked at mine, there is a gap it looks like it goes all length of the windscreen & at the channel from start button there appears the be some sort of fabric tab, could be cable wrapped? So looks nowt to be worried about.  By the way, really looks good & can't wait for completed view.   

[Rudy]

One thing someone might be able to help me with. Is there a slight gap between your dash top and window surround where you can just about see the plastic of the heater ducting? It's around the area where the start button groove finishs if you shine a light through the windscreen from outside? There is on mine and I can't remember if it has allways been like that or not. I can't really see what has caused it if it hasn't as the two rear locater pins are seated fully in their holes and I'm pretty sure nothing is fouling anywhere.

I think your being a bit OCD. When I last saw your car (with the dash top off) it was still a better looking dash than mine was! So with whatever you've put back its got to be good. Are you just being fussy? Bring it out next Sunday and let me and Paul have a look and judge. Will pm you about that ok.

[jules_s]

He's got some skills to be sure Just needs the final touch - I've got a spare badge from the back of mine; that should blend in and finish it off nicely

[Ormes]

He's got some skills to be sure Just needs the final touch - I've got a spare badge from the back of mine; that should blend in and finish it off nicely

Agreed on all counts

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Four months later and I've just realised I never finished posting up the end result of this. I'll find the photos I took and upload them later...

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

In the end I took on the trimming myself and am quite pleased with the outcome. Despite the new complicated angles I had created I still managed to eventually find a way to stretch the cloth around all in one piece. The only small join present is under the OBDII screen which I covered up with the pin stripes which match the ones on my center console. 

 

 

 

 

 

An unexpected bonus is that these vents are so much more efficient at clearing the windscreen.  They seem to circulate air better as well as you can now feel the breeze bouncing off of the windscreen towards you. I also think they look much better and are more subtle. The only downside is that obviously you can't shut them like the originals.    

 

 

 

 

I cut a piece of carbon fibre sheet to shape for the backing plate of the phone holder tray. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New start button is from a Honda Civic.

 

 

[smiley]

Do you have a pixie where it's in the car?

[Bumblebee]

Great result You certainly like your stripes going by your bedding

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Do you have a pixie where it's in the car?

 

I have, I'm trying to find them as they where spread across a couple of memory cards...

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

 

 

 

 

[slindborg]

Is the aux port not in a totally inconvenient location?

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

No not really, granted it's not in an absolutely ideal within reach location but you can just about plug into it from the drivers seat which is good enough for me for the amount it will be used.  

[slindborg]

So why fit it at all if its going to be used on a non regular basis (or just fit it to a sensible location)

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Maybe so it's there on the occasions I do want to use it? Location for me is fine. I wanted it out of the way in the corner more and not in the drivers eye line, asthetically I think it works best there to. There is also a USB socket behind the sliding white panel which will actually increase it's use more than I thought to mention. (for charging stuff, playing back MP3/4's and connecting a WiFi dongle.) There is also a magnet and a NFC tag under the floor of the tray to help hold a device in place and sync certain settings for use in the car. Also there was some consideration needed to where it could go due to the depth it encroached into the void on the underside, the routing of cables and the effect it would have on the overall structural rigidity on the dash top.

Edited by -Dab-of-Oppo-, 18 January 2014 - 05:14 AM.

[Sticky]

Have you got a pic of it fitted taken from inside the cabin?