Why not have someone else do it?

**aquavita** · 03-26-2005, 04:13 PM

Before I get any zealouts screaming at me about "purity" and being "hardcore" etc. let me explain...I don't have any free time right now to learn how to dremel, or work with fiberglass etc. Would there be a big issue to just paying someone like Cartoys to modify my dash to get everything to fit?

I currently have an extra p4 laptop that I'm going to use, along with my Xenarc in-dash VGA display. The problem is, my stock headunit obviously has no aux in, so I need to replace it. Well, when they replace the old headunit, most shops are going to put this stupid mounting kit that just wastes SO MUCH space. It has some sort of stupid little cubbyhole on the bottom. I have a double din space in my dash, but this stupid thing basically turns it into a single din.

I called cartoys, and they said they could forgo the whole mounting kit, just mount the new headunit and spring-loaded LCD, and then just custom make a frame to go around it all. For around $100 or so.

To me, that seems incredibly cheap rather than wasting several weeks learning all this stuff. If I didn't go to school and work full time, I'd want to do it, but I'm so swamped right now, I'd like it to just work.

So my question is, other than "OMG HURR YUO SHOULD DO IT YOURSELF OK", is there any reason to not just pay someone a small amount to do this for me?

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-26-2005, 04:23 PM

Well there is the problem with paying someone a 'small amount' - any custom work is expensive and if you want it done well by someone you can go back to and complain to if something is not right then you are gonna have to pay a lot for it.

If you have the money pay someone. I wish i had a spare P4 laptop - my main Pc is only a P3 so i don't have the funds to pay someone to do my dash.

And bedsides - my car PC will be, like most people, a constant evolution of ideas that i will develop and modify and i woulod rather know how to modify my dash parts and get them looking back as they were the 1st time i 'finished it' everytime i cut a new section for something.

Also you have to find someone who is willing to take it on and are they gonna take as much care with your LCD etc???

**scott_fx** · 03-26-2005, 05:04 PM

installing a head unit and the din-lcd shouldn't take any dremel, fiberglass, or finishing know-how. you can tell that is a fast job if the car stereo shop is only charging $100.. the part that takes a lot of time is modling in a screen, which looks like you dont have to worry about.

that aside, there is nothing wrong with having someone install it for you; after all it's not really a custom install with the flip out screen and h/u.

i am slammed right now at my job, working 6 days a week, 12 hour days and i managed to get my computer up and running and looking very oem. If you plan on not using a head unit and molding your screen dont rush it, take your time, buy a used radio surround and work on that and keep your car intact. if you had an installer do that you will miss out on the best part about the whole thing...the build and the satisfaction of seeing peoples reactions when they ask you who did that for you.

**aquavita** · 03-26-2005, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

Well there is the problem with paying someone a 'small amount' - any custom work is expensive and if you want it done well by someone you can go back to and complain to if something is not right then you are gonna have to pay a lot for it.

I'm not really following you...are you saying it's a good idea that I'm getting someone to do it for me? $100 dollars is worth it, at least to me. The guy said it may be a little more, but again, I'd rather have it done that way, so that I can go back and throw a fit if it looks bad.

**aquavita** · 03-26-2005, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by scott_fx

installing a head unit and the din-lcd shouldn't take any dremel, fiberglass, or finishing know-how. you can tell that is a fast job if the car stereo shop is only charging $100.. the part that takes a lot of time is modling in a screen, which looks like you dont have to worry about.

Really? It seems like it would be, just based on what I've described so far...since I can't fit them both in as it stands now. What do you suggest be done?

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-26-2005, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by aquavita

I'm not really following you...are you saying it's a good idea that I'm getting someone to do it for me? $100 dollars is worth it, at least to me. The guy said it may be a little more, but again, I'd rather have it done that way, so that I can go back and throw a fit if it looks bad.

I guess $100 is pretty damn cheap (only £50) but make sure you have some kind of assurance that the work will be to your expectations and lay them out at the start so you ae not disspointed.

If you can, check his designs and materials over before work starts.

**aquavita** · 03-26-2005, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

If you can, check his designs and materials over before work starts.

Absolutely. I wouldn't even let him start without seeing what he's going to work with, etc.

**shizzle** · 03-26-2005, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by aquavita

I called cartoys, and they said they could forgo the whole mounting kit, just mount the new headunit and spring-loaded LCD, and then just custom make a frame to go around it all. For around $100 or so.

Are you sure they dont just have a frame lying around? I was just at Best-Buy, and they had at least 200 different brackets all around $15(in the installaion garage, but price-marked nonetheless). Now granted they have to cover their bases as far as vehicles and single DIN stereos, they also install in-dash monitors, combo HU's, and more... all the time.
If those are both single DIN units, all you have to do is figure out how to get in there and mount em, and get a frame. I had the guy at best buy remove my old unit for me cause it was factory (with anti-theft crap?) I did a quick

and found a website showing how to remove the small dash panel to get to my Double DIN. Now I am using my 8" lilliput as a custom indash lcd, hopefully Ill fit a faux faceplate in front.

Installation was free at best buy for any HU over $100. IF you talk to the installer guy, he can prob just go ahead and help you out with the other bracket!

**maxxell** · 03-27-2005, 05:12 PM

If something goes wrong... Sorry, WHEN something goes wrong, if you paid someone else to do the work, you wont know how to fix it. The only way to know the ins and outs of the system is to do it yourself. And anyone else that puts their hands on your system will add their own touch, which you may or may not like.
My .02

Thread: Why not have someone else do it?

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Why not have someone else do it?

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions