Thread: Need some help with dash layout

I'd fill it with a larger screen!

Here are my ideas: a small tray (looks like there's already one there), a media reader, a Character LCD (for when I don't want the main LCD on and to keep it clean when playing visualizations / movies - or for displaying random information like outside temperature or OBD-II stats), a few USB ports, maybe a firewire port, ethernet & 110v AC ports (i have lots of friends who bring their laptops along everywhere), DVD drive, or a docking space for a mini-keyboard.

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

I'm trying to think of something cool and unique but can't! Why not put a few buttons there for quick access to GPS, rear view camera etc or maybe have a nice phone holder/charger there.

I was thinking some kind of phone holder would be good to have. How would those buttons work? Phigits? I want serial port for the vehicle data, so I guess it would have to be USB or something?

I'd fill it with a larger screen!

Problem is most all the good skins and front ends are designed and ready to be used on the widscreen format like the lillis and xenarcs. I don't want to be one of the few guys trying to tweak the skins for an odd size screen others don't have.

I have a 10.4" 4:3 touchscreen in my basement now which with a little tweaking would fit, but am not going to use it.

My suggestions:

Alright you got an Avalanche, you can't just have a 7" xenarc... especially when you have that HUGE portion of your dash that basically holds cd's and cigerrette ashes....

You gotta custom mold that 2nd part below the radio and heater controls with a 10" touch screen, you might need to mount your slimline DVD drive vertically to fit but that would be excellant ! If you still need those 12v for other electronic accessories then think about re-locating them to the sides of that consol (towards the driver or towards the passenger)

I'd lay this out for you using adobe... but I'm at work and dont have the time !

Originally Posted by RPI Geek

Here are my ideas: a small tray (looks like there's already one there), a media reader, a Character LCD (for when I don't want the main LCD on and to keep it clean when playing visualizations / movies - or for displaying random information like outside temperature or OBD-II stats), a few USB ports, maybe a firewire port, ethernet & 110v AC ports (i have lots of friends who bring their laptops along everywhere), DVD drive, or a docking space for a mini-keyboard.

Some good ideas. Going to have to re-look at some display dimensions and see what might work. I am not good at programming, so I hope these new USB ones are easy to use. Don't need temp - that is in the mirror, but winamp stuff might be nice.

I would prefer not to have raw USB and firewire holes, but if I could hide it behind a door or something, it might be nice. Maybe a hingle or slide up/over cover like from a desktop computer case. Have a few extra desktop cases around here someplace that need to meet MR Dremel tool.

I have 110v power built in. I did that right after I got the truck as I have a laptop with me all the time.


It's located in the rear of the center console. There are A/V ports so people in the rear seat can plug in an Xbox or PS2 and use the LCDs in the truck to play games or watch a different movie there.

Originally Posted by IntellaWorks

My suggestions:
You gotta custom mold that 2nd part below the radio and heater controls with a 10" touch screen, you might need to mount your slimline DVD drive vertically to fit but that would be excellant ! If you still need those 12v for other electronic accessories then think about re-locating them to the sides of that consol (towards the driver or towards the passenger)

Serious - you don't think 10" LCD is not too large? Here is a picture with one of my extra 10.4" touchscreen tablet computers laying under the bezel so you can see the size. I could fit a slot load on it's side (is it OK to do that?) next to a 10" LCD I guess. It will be tight, and it will have to place the drive toward the bottom as I only have 3" behind the bezel up at the top but 10" deep down lower in the console.





I do have a couple other areas I could put things - the square hole next to the HVAC could be used. I have a factory faceplate for this and it could hold buttons, 12v outlets or other things if I need to. I planned to put 2 12v outlets in there and have the parts, just figured I would have room in the new bezel with a 7" screen.