Has anyone done a Contour?

**Murtaza** · 08-19-2005, 05:32 PM

Just wondering has anyone done a Ford Contour SVT? I'm getting my car next month and I like the idea of having a gps, mp3, and all that in one instead of fumbling around with a gps unit. Picture of the dash.. (not mine just got anything off google.com) Could I just extend the dash down from where that cd deck is so it wouldn't bother the a/c? What do you guys think?

**john1701** · 08-19-2005, 05:36 PM

i would try to relocate the hvac, remove the radio and put the screen there.

**JaymzRR** · 08-19-2005, 07:44 PM

I would try mounting it underneath the HU and leaving it in. Or replacing the HU with a in-dash fold out screen =D

**Murtaza** · 08-20-2005, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by JaymzRR

I would try mounting it underneath the HU and leaving it in. Or replacing the HU with a in-dash fold out screen =D

I doubt there's enough space under the radio I would have to see if it's comfortable enough for me to shift.. fold out screen !@ awesome idea.

If I go for it, I'll be sure to post some pictures. Thanks

**tj!2k4** · 03-22-2006, 10:15 AM

got a buddy with a countour who's thinking about a carputer.. any progress on this or any other contour?

I'd agree with john1701, relocate hvac and remove radio.

**Matrix_24** · 03-22-2006, 10:34 AM

I had a CSVT, and the only nice way I would do it is relocate the radio under the current location and put a flip out where the radio is. Keep the screen as high as you can, the shifter in those cars will block the monitor if you go any lower. You can eliminate the radio and move the HVAC controls like everyone had said, but I personally like to have the radio as a back up in case the PC messes up, or you only have a short drive and do not want to boot the PC.

**PURDooM** · 05-11-2006, 11:41 PM

I have a contour and am working on relocating the climate controls and the radio...

Any progress on the contour? Did you figure out how to get the front plastic panel off?

Placing the lcd below the radio is possible but unpractical - makes shifting a pain the the rear

**I302K** · 05-12-2006, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by john1701

i would try to relocate the hvac, remove the radio and put the screen there.

Relocate the hvac is a great idea just cut the spacer for the radio and the hvac out and mold the screen in there see if you have play with the hvac to move them way lower in that space bellow the radio if you do great. if you are not handy with molding which im not as well i had a guy do mine prety cheap and it looks stock if u want just pm ill let u know were he is in NY not that far worth the ride

**trasko** · 05-12-2006, 12:43 PM

I just found out about carputers and mp3car.com about 2-3 days ago. I've got a '97 Contour SE (a manual transmission) and am thinking of setting up something in there... This would be something preliminary before I get hardcore into something for my motorcycle, but w/e.

I might can get some pictures tomorrow, but my center dash is different from the picture in OP. That is somewhat custom or just different from my year -- on mine the dash just contines downward past the HU into a storage... Its like this:

1 Din - HVAC controls like in picture
1 Din - HU
1 Din? - storage slot
1ish Dinish - ash tray / cig-lighter

The bottom 2 slots are covered pretty significantly by the shifter, but I was thinking that it wouldn't be such a big deal. It'd be an easy reach for my fingers to control things -- and I don't plan on looking at it a whole lot while I'm driving.

I really don't want to start something I don't feel like finishing, so cutting into the dash doesn't sound too appealing to me since I have zero experience with fiberglass or working plastic. If the bottom 2 slots don't seem like they'd work, I take out the HU and the storage slot and use that.

Anyone with any contour hints would be very appreciated here!

**trasko** · 05-12-2006, 12:49 PM

Here are some pictures of 1998+ model center console area from a contour.org howto:
http://contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=33

Note that on mine, the place where the car in these pictures has a dual-cupholder, mine has a the ashtray and storage tray that butts all the way up to the base of the shifter area. (lack of cupholders was a big complaint on the pre '98 models)