Thread: Has anyone done something like this?

Originally Posted by FSUnoles

i have a lexus sc400 and i want to install a screen into it (touch) I want to keep my headunit in its location due to the necessity in my audio.

now here is my idea, without doing any major work i want to incorporate the screen into the unused space (circled in red) next to the climate and head unit. i am thinking of creating something that holds out the screen to the side and works like a arm something using the same principle as this

so therefore the screen can be angled towards me and i am able to use the touch screen ability without compromising my head unit controls? is this feasible?

I have built several brackets in several cars for numerous application, so let me be the first to tell you - You won't like it. The brackets I have in my cars are out of necessity (removable TabletPCs); but as far as mounting a screen in your luxury vehicle using anything but an in-dash install is going to look ghetto.

"Major work" depends on your abilities. Installing an ISO standard arm such as you referenced cannot be attached to plastic without some reinforcement. It is feasible, but will require dismantling the center console and some imaginative engineering to mount the arm. You'll then find it take up a lot of room in front of the console, will be difficult to adjust on the fly (while driving), will not be a very stable platform for touchscreen use, and leaves wires exposed.

If you're just dead set on doing this, may I recommend an alternative solution: Your car's dash is much like my Caddy and I mounted my bracket so the screen fit snugly against the dash in front of the air vents. I removed the top of the center console to expose the two top screws, cut a slot behind the fabric (leather) above the console, and custom-made a bracket to fit down the slot and anchored it with the two screws. This way you have a rigid screen, the wiring can easily be hidden by running them through the slot and down behind the console, and done right looks professional and fitting with the vehicle. The only drawback is it redirects the airflow from the center vents. (checkout the pics in my photo galley).

Whatever you decide, good luck.