Mechatroniks Bezel Extension Request

**Kosti** · 02-08-2008, 05:41 PM

Hey All,

I am trying to get in touch with Patrick C. the designer of the best plug in Bezel/Chassis for the Subaru.

I've already bought this great Bezel and as I would like to utilise all the space I can get from the car's 3 DIN area, so i need the actual chassis dimensions slightly increased.

The increase is very minor to the length and depth of which I am happy to pay for this change. By having this increased, i will be able to fit the DSATX, HCQT, DVDRW, MB & Screen on the whole chassis.

I've tried to PM P.C. and email him via his website, but no luck.

Can anyone who may have his contact details, please ask him to drop me an email and see if he can help out with a special Subaru fabrication.

my email is

kostiz@gmail.com

Cheers
Kosti

**rdholtz** · 02-09-2008, 08:57 AM

If deeper is what you want, consider doing it yourself: cut the chassis at the bottom and rivet in some aluminum angle you obtain locally. You could also extend the bottom and sides with aluminum and rivets. "Pop" rivets aren't pretty, but they're strong and functional . . . and the modifications won't show, hidden in the dash.

If you don't want to do it yourself, have you considered having one modified right in Sydney by a fabrication shop? A little 6061-T6 aluminum, some TIG or MIG (TGAW or MGAW) welding and you have what you want. It would be done exactly as you prefer, instead of communicating what you're trying to do by international mail or email.

If Patrick is hard to connect with even before it's started, how long do you think it will take to get the custom work done?

And consider the possibility he's not a fabricator, but instead orders them from a fabricator. That would mean paying for custom work anyway.

**blk02si** · 02-09-2008, 01:34 PM

I custom fabricate chassis, have built around 25 of them now for members on this board. Check my carPC link.

**Kosti** · 02-09-2008, 06:01 PM

I'm going to give it a go at getting this done locally, but as his product is solid and I do like it, I wanted to keep it the same and didn't really want to hack up the one I've got.

I hear ya when you say it will take a while going back and forth with emails and stuff, but wanted to get the message out along with some idea's

blk02si, the issue is the front bezel, its perfect for my car and this chassis, have you done any for subaru's?

Thanks for your feedback lads!

Cheers
Kosti

**Kosti** · 02-25-2008, 04:45 AM

Well getting it done locally wasn;t a bad idea, it turned out ok, but not as sxc as Mechatroniks!

This new base allows me to fit everything including mainboard, hqct, psu, hdd & screen

**rdholtz** · 02-26-2008, 12:56 PM

That looks really good. Glad the local fabrication worked for you. As for the sxcness, no problem. You got what you wanted, and you got it done well; it has the potential to be a terrific installation, and it doesn't get any sxcer than that.

**Kosti** · 02-28-2008, 01:07 AM

Yeah, ur 100% correct rdholtz!

It doesn't get any better than that. thanks for the kind words m8!

Today I dropped off the bezel's black pastic mounts that hold down the lcd to be re-done as these are not designed for the lilliput 629GL-70NP, these will be longer in size and different angles to allow mounting of the mainboard of the LCD controller.

I'll post up some pix of these when there done.

Maybe I'll start my progress thread and keep it all in one place

Cheers
Kosti

**FirebirdTN** · 03-05-2008, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Kosti

Yeah, ur 100% correct rdholtz!

It doesn't get any better than that. thanks for the kind words m8!

Today I dropped off the bezel's black pastic mounts that hold down the lcd to be re-done as these are not designed for the lilliput 629GL-70NP, these will be longer in size and different angles to allow mounting of the mainboard of the LCD controller.

I'll post up some pix of these when there done.

Maybe I'll start my progress thread and keep it all in one place

Cheers
Kosti

I was about to ask if you could have a spare set of those mounts made up for me, but then realized your overseas, so it might be cost-prohibitive for such a small item, unless possibly sent via regular postal system?

I need to do the same thing with my 629/Mechatroniks kit, and I am exploring options.

-Alan

**Kosti** · 03-07-2008, 05:07 PM

Just got mine in and they are perfect, I'll post up some pix when i charge up the camera, also I'm gathering all my pix to start a work log so they'll all be in one place.

Were you at Firebird?

If I get enough interests, I could get them mass produced, but I think i would need at least 50 people to make it worth will.

The ones I got made up cost me $70 AUD so yeah it's expensive, but it's perfect, the right hieght, size, and shape, so i'm happy with the result!

**FirebirdTN** · 03-07-2008, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Kosti

Just got mine in and they are perfect, I'll post up some pix when i charge up the camera, also I'm gathering all my pix to start a work log so they'll all be in one place.

Were you at Firebird?

If I get enough interests, I could get them mass produced, but I think i would need at least 50 people to make it worth will.

The ones I got made up cost me $70 AUD so yeah it's expensive, but it's perfect, the right hieght, size, and shape, so i'm happy with the result!

I am definately looking forward to seeing the pics. It does not surprise me at all how much you paid for them. It seems like it doesn't matter what you do, if you make ONE of anything it costs an arm and a leg, but the more you have made, the less the cost per unit becomes.

I still might be interested in a set of your mounts, but I need to see some pics first, as the way you layed yours out may not quite work with what I had in mind in my setup. I am planning (I have no idea how to actually execute it though) on having a "slit" cut in the top bezel of the Metra Kit (not the Mechatroniks kit) since I have a Mustang. There is *just* enough room above the top of the Mechatroniks bezel and the Metra bezel for a slit so that a slimline slot-load cd/dvd drive can be incorporated into the system. The catch is though, the circuit board for the lcd needs to be low enough keep the space clear for the drive. I have designed a couple brackets on paper, and instead of going "around" the board to meet the holes in the board, my brackets meet the mounting holes of the circuit board via the sides of the board; I suspect yours going around and meet the mounting holes from the top and bottom of the board...

Anyway, I ordered a couple 12x12 sheets of ABS plastic that is the same thinkness as the origional brackets, and am going to *try* cutting my own brackets with hand/power tools, but am NOT VERY GOOD at that sort of thing at all. I'm great with a soldering iron and electronics, but HORRIBLE at fabricating anything. But if your brackets will work dimmensionally, I might be interested in having you have a set made up for me.

I would get it down locally, but my big question is where does someone get this stuff done? I have done some web/phone book searching, and although I have found a few machine/fabrication shops in my area, they all seem to specialize in LARGE item and/or industrial/large quantity fabrication. Although I haven't actually called anyone yet, I am pretty sure most people in my area won't be bothered with such a petty item. But no matter what, I really need to find a shop that can do some fab work. Although I have the Mechatroniks kit, I would like to have some "shelves" fabricated that I can insert in the middle of the Mechatroniks kit so I can have a complete bolt-in solution. I need to mount the hard drive, optical drive, usb hub, various usb devices including the HQCT, and my 4 channel kit amp that I bought from 41hz.com.

-Alan

PS I am in Memphis, TN, USA