Sport trac, Ranger, Explorer touchscreen, check it out so far. Xenarc

**Sporttracguy** · 11-26-2004, 12:15 PM

This is for a ford sport trac but the dash is the same for the exploreres, rangers, and mountaineers(a few others too) just thought i would show you what i have so far. Im using a Xenarc TSV touchscreen and a explorer bezel i picked up at a junk yard so that i wouldnt be driving around with a hold in my dash for a week or so.
I had to remove alot of material on the bezel to make the screen fit( you can see in a few of the pictures. Then i mounted it flush and fiberglassed it in. after the fiberglass cured i used bondo to fill in the pin holes. so far this is only after the first coat of bondo, ill need a few more before i get the shape and texture exactly how i want it,, ill keep you all updated

http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/shaped.jpg
http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/before-2.jpg
http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/before-3.jpg
http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/before-5.jpg
http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/before-4.jpg
you can see in this photo how much needed to be removed
http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/before-1.jpg

Sporttracguy

**Homebrew** · 11-26-2004, 04:51 PM

Question for you. Are you planning to reassemble the xenarc with the face molded in like that or a you just gonna mount the lcd and leave the back of the case off? The reason I ask is because i've been working on the same thing for my 2000 mountaineer(same thing as an explorer for those that don't know) and i started cutting my bezel the same for my xenarc but ran into a problem. It appeared to me that if i mounted the the back of the case on it would interfere with the mouting holes for the 2 screws above the HVAC controls. Now i haven't actually molded the xenarc face in so i don't know for sure, thats just what the situation appears to be to me. Just wondered if you had encountered this and if it would indeed prohibit the use of those mouting screws. I personally don't like the idea of leaving the screws out. I hate making things easier for thieves and unfortunatly there is alot of them in my area. Since you're further along with the mounting i was wondering if you could offer me any feedback on this. Thanx,

-Kevin

**Sporttracguy** · 11-26-2004, 10:55 PM

To be honest, i havent taked the stock one out in a while to fit this one. I figured if the screws wouldnt work the pressure clips on the back of the Bezel will hold it in just fine.. i suppose the screws would keep people from taking it but its not hard to take out two bolts,, it may help a bit. I think ill take my stock one apart tomorrow and check to see how it fits,, it was a concern for me though. If the bolts dont fit i plan to fill them in with fiberglass and make them flush.. I cant remember what the bolts go into so ill check and fill you in

sporttracguy

**Sporttracguy** · 11-27-2004, 04:29 PM

ok, pulled out the stock bezel and test fitted this one in,,it fits perfect if i dont plan to use the bolts,, the pressure clips hole it in quite tight. if i wanted to use the bolts i would have to not use the plastic backing of the xenarc and it would work just fine...I think im going to fill in the bolt holes and make it flush, i think it will clean up the look a bit,, here are a few shots

http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/test-fit.jpg
http://www.zjstech.net/~library/3675/test-fit-2.jpg

Sporttracguy

**Homebrew** · 11-27-2004, 06:41 PM

I see you already have a screen of some sort in your console. After realizing i wouldn't be able to use the screws on the bezel i started contemplating putting it in the console, much like you have done. Quick question for you, whats the glare like on that screen? Do you think that placement would work for a touch screen? Obviously it wouldn't be as accessible as it is in the dash, but do you think it could suffice? Or would it be to awkward for touch screen use? Thanx for your help.

-Kevin

**Sporttracguy** · 11-28-2004, 02:42 AM

That screen in the console is an 8 inch kenwood touchscreen. i use it for GPS and sometimes for movies or video games for the other guy in the seat. The glair isnt too bad during very sunny days but you can tell its there.. i plan to tint the front windows and i think that will make a huge difference.. i havent had any problems bad enough where i cant read the screen though.

sporttracguy

**masher** · 11-28-2004, 03:08 AM

Ryan(sporttracguy) did a screen for me in the console. I have a lilliput and have never really had problems with glare but i have my front windows tinted.

Ryan- looks good so far keep us up to date

**Homebrew** · 11-28-2004, 12:09 PM

Thanx for the feedback guys, much appreciated. I think for now i'm gonna put it in the console because then i don't have to lose the HU. Right now i just don't have the money to buy amp(s) to replace the amp built in the factory HU. If i can figure out a way to keep the use of the radio bezel mouting screws while using the entire xenarc case, i'll probably put it in the dash at some point. I'm thinking if I cut out the thin strip seperating the radio area from the top vents it might work. That might allow me to raise the postition of the xenarc just enough to clear the mounts. I just have to see about fabricating a new mounting system for the vents since their mouting tabs are on that strip. For now i think it will be less headache for me to go ahead and put it in the console. Thanx for your input.

-Kevin

**jjh221** · 11-28-2004, 12:21 PM

looks good so far. Would it be possible for you to cut the screws down just a bit? Those clips are great but i feel more secure with the screws in.

**Sporttracguy** · 11-28-2004, 01:24 PM

its not the screws that are getting in the way, it seems to be the actual mounts where the screws screw into.. i think that if i had mounted the screen a little farther forward or if i didnt want to use the back of the lcd casing it would fit just fine... you may also be able to trim the plastic a bit on the screw inlet and be just fine with it,, I agree, it would be nicer to have that extra bit holding it in...

Masher,

Good to hear you are enjoying the console,, how is it holding up for you?

sporttracguy