10.4" lilliput/mac mini + audio worklog - 03 chev blazer

**edge2k** · 03-30-2010, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by captcol

Impressive work, between you and nex I can see I have alot to learn and more people to ask for help when I eventually rasie the funds to start mine

Thank you for the positive feedback my good sir, with many years and failed attempts and expensive setbacks of the past comes true experience

Originally Posted by Frozen

your build looks amazing!! Can you tell me the actual physical dimension of the 10.4? I want to try and put on in my 08 civic.

As for you frozen, at this point im not actually able to measure my own monitor since most of the case went in the trash, but in the mp3car store these are the listed dimensions.

Dimension (W x H x D): 252 x 216 x 76mm i assume this is with the full case and little foldable stand.

Visible screen dimensions:
Diagonal: 10.44in
Length: 8.31in
Width: 6.25in

i hope that helps.

Anyway, i apologize for the lack of updates its been rainy and gross out lately with a side of miserable whether conditions BUT iv since fit the back of my woofer enclosure on and sealed it up nicely and started running the wiring inside the box, id like to have it in by the weekend even if to just test, ill just have to make a 1/4" to rca cable.

Also, i decided with a new project comes a new look, and iv removed my headliner and started prepping to make a nice tapering pod to hold the rest of my component speaker sets on the ceiling that will contour to the headliner and have a nice smooth look, i should be able to start laying some fiberglass and have a 3d shape in the next few days provided the whether is decent.

I made some panels this time to ensure the tweeters, woofers and grille covers all have room to fit nicely.

iv taped up the general geometric shape ill be working with

Drawn a more specific shape on one side, and transfered the lines over by tracing and making a template to fold over.

This is all i have so far, a tip for anyone whos doing any kind of contour molding like this, if you tape off your area, a lot of you already know using tinfoil over the tape helps create a second removable barrier, but if whatever you decide to use whether it be tape or whatever if you mark the lines in sharpie and then lay the fiberglass over once its hardened the line will transfer to the back of the fiberglass, leaving you a nice guide to trim of your excess in the shape you started with.

If that doesnt quite make sense, its because im exhausted and falling asleep but example pics will be posted when i get to that point.

**edge2k** · 04-02-2010, 10:12 PM

Since ill be working on my pod for most of the weekend, ill go ahead and post my door panels, these are the first set of door panels iv tried to make, if i could go back i would have probably done it a little different to keep the weight down (IE Foam), but im still happy with the way they turned out.

The components im using in this build is a total of 4 sets of arc audio fd6000's i believe is the model number.

These are the fresh, clean stockies ready to modify

I actually left most of the door alone, but i cut out enough room to be able to mount my components into, and taped up the areas to give a shape to mold to, added some chopped matte and resin and cut out some 6.5" rings to mold to.

*the rings werent mounted crooked like this, it was still in test fit mode level 1)

I wanted to show off my crossovers since they are nice and pretty looking so i just made a rounded rectangle shape out of 1/4 mdf, and made a 1/4" ring around it to make a lip and made a tapering edge with some body filler.

This is the basic layout of what will be the final placement of everything, with a nice aluminum arc audio accent piece at the bottom.

Symmetry FTW

I wrapped the panel in fleece and added my fiberglass

Originally i was planning on making more of a pod to add to the exterior of the door instead of mold into the door which i changed later and i did like better.

loved the shape though

everything fit juuuuust right and juuuust barely without hitting the seat, i ended up not being able to keep my window crank so i added power window motors later but dont really need to be in this build imo.

This is the point where i changed my mind and wanted a smoothe molded panel so i just fleeced over the original panel while attached and added a layer of fiberglass over it and sanded it down again.

And after all that, i took the liberty upon myself to give the upholstery portion of this a try and realized i can handle adding some foam, and covering the flat pieces on top (even though you cant really tell the velvets there) but should leave the rest to a professional, my appointment is in mid june and thats when they will be covered, but until then this is how they will remmain in the saftey of the house.

The empty rectangular space will be foamed before upholstery, the wiring just needs to be removed and foam added to the inside of the pods for better dampening.

Thats all for now, next updates will be the ceiling pod, usb hub molded into cig tray and extra battery in rear, let me know what you think so far

**edge2k** · 04-03-2010, 05:54 PM

Due to lack of fiberglass matte, hardener and stores being open this weekend iv only been able to get the first mold of my headliner, but in order to keep this weekend productive im off to home depot to get some great stuff big gap filler to make some filler panel pieces to shape and fiberglass over.

**edge2k** · 04-05-2010, 06:45 PM

The wheels of progress are in motion once again, i was only able to put down the first base layer of fiberglass for the ceiling pod since i ran out of chopped mat, and need to pick up some more hardener. Im going to add a few wooden dowels to add strength sort of like a kite would have before the seccond layer of glass.

I decided to go ahead and give the great stuff foam a try, the big gap filler is the can i used, i taped up the sides of my speaker box and any factory panels the foam could possibly touch up to the windows to make a tight fit and easy-ish... removal layer.

Still have quite a bit of trimming and grinding down to an even symetric shape. (It took about 10 cans believe it or not)

In between spray and dry times i made some progress on mounting the usb hub in the ash tray compartment, still needs a little filling and fine sanding to get it just right.

i wish i would have taken more pictures in between steps, and got a better 2nd picture, but i removed the led from the board and extended wires out from the board to mount in front lip of the ash tray, its where ill mount the power button as well once the carnex and mac pack arrives some time this week.

More soon =)

**soundman98** · 04-05-2010, 08:57 PM

Looking great!

**bratnetwork** · 04-05-2010, 09:16 PM

I love how you incorporated the crossovers into the door panels along with the second set of speakers.

**edge2k** · 04-05-2010, 10:02 PM

I really like the style of the crossovers, so naturally i wanted to show them off, i MAY... havent decided yet but make a small cover panel leaving the crossovers still visable but through an oval shape with led lighting to accent them a little better, i think it would make them stand out nicely.

**edge2k** · 04-06-2010, 05:14 PM

Got a chance to make some more progress at work today, AND got paid for it

After a little more body filler and fine hand sanding.

I de-sodered the led indicator light from the circuit board and extended it out to mount the led in front of the hub for visual confirmation and extra cool factor, once the power button comes with the dc regulator ill mount it to the left of it.

And just to show it still does work, i tested the led and hub with my ipod.

Primer and final sanding after some delicious eats.

**edge2k** · 04-10-2010, 04:40 PM

Just in case anyone was interested in seeing how the usb hub was mounted from behind, i havent mounted it permently yet but im going to use some silicone to keep it in place, and its still plyable enough in case i ever had to take it out for any reason.

Recieved my power supply and realized iv been saying carnex the entire time and just realized it was carnetix lol.

On to the ceiling pod, iv managed to get a few layers of chopped mat down and its strong enough to mount the ring bezels into and mold the top shape.

I need to pick up some fleece or whatever stretchy thin fabric i can find at wal mart today before i can mold the top, moar pics as i go =).

On a side note, i temporarily hooked up my sub amp to the computer and tested the enclosure, it sounds absolutely amazing, its has such clear deep notes all the way down into the 30hz range, im VERY pleased!

**edge2k** · 04-11-2010, 03:25 PM

This morning i managed to pick up some fleece, aperently wal mart doesnt have a fabric department anymore so joanns it was, but i made it back and gave this piece a skeleton to add some shape and strength before covering with my fleece, ill put some resin and start adding fiberglass here soon if it doesnt start raining.

Really happy with the way the shape came out, and yes if you think it looks kind of like a sting ray, iv heard.