2005 Mustang - Xenarc 700IDT and JVC HU

**kmp14** · 06-22-2008, 05:18 PM

I have had a car PC up and running for about a year, but I have not posted my project because, well, I was not thrilled. My original plan was to leave the original head unit and mount the touchscreen "somewhere".

This is my first attempt - NOT GREAT:

I lived with that for about a year, but never felt good about it, so it was time to re-do.

Here is the dash when the old monitor mount is removed - ugly wires hanging.

My new plan was to try to squeeze a Xenarc 700IDT and single din head unit into the space where the stock HU was. I still want a standard HU for those times I want to pull out the pc and screen for theft concerns - more on that later.

I used the Metra 99-5807 mounting kit, but I had to do some cutting to get both units to fit. I learned that the double-din opening is not big enough for 2 1 din units, so opening up the hole was required. Here are both din holders installed in the car.

As you can see in the pic above, there is metal bar behind the area where the equipment would go. I was really concerned that I would have problems with the Xenarc hitting the bar, but I did not, once I removed the the little grab bars on the back of it. Even the cables for the Xenarc fit without having to do the mods seen in other threads to make it fit.

Here is everything roughed in:

Finished Product:

Much better than it hanging off the dash!

As far as theft control, I did not screw the Xenarc in, and left some slack in the cables. When I need to remove it, I can slide it out and disconnect the 2 connectors, and take it with me. I don't plan on doing that very often, but I can if I need to!

**ThunderStick** · 06-22-2008, 06:26 PM

How come the screen sticks out so far?

**kmp14** · 06-22-2008, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by ThunderStick

How come the screen sticks out so far?

Few reasons

1. That is the way the Xenarc is designed. There is about 2cm (or more?) that stick out beyond the DIN mounting cage.

2. Even if I tried to get it deeper, it would have hit that bar pictured.

It looks better in person than in the pics, and way better than I had in that first pic.

**colin** · 06-22-2008, 09:07 PM

By no means am I trying to be offensive, but

"As far as theft control, I did not screw the Xenarc in, and left some slack in the cables. When I need to remove it, I can slide it out and disconnect the 2 connectors, and take it with me."

Umm... do you see any reverse logic in that? This basically means that anyone can punk your screen if you forget to lock the car ONCE.

**kmp14** · 06-22-2008, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by colin

By no means am I trying to be offensive, but

"As far as theft control, I did not screw the Xenarc in, and left some slack in the cables. When I need to remove it, I can slide it out and disconnect the 2 connectors, and take it with me."

Umm... do you see any reverse logic in that? This basically means that anyone can punk your screen if you forget to lock the car ONCE.

If someone wants it, they are going to get it. Once they go in they are coming out with it, ripping up the dash while doing it. If it is not there.....then they get nothing. Once it is screwed in, I can never remove it, and if I am parked in an area where it is a concern, then they WILL go in if they see it, breaking glass, etc.

Right now my stang is a sitting duck at the train station (my beater broke down)....but I do not have to worry because I slipped the screen out and stored it safely at home. If I had screwed it in, I would not have this option. YMMV.

**the_crooked_toe** · 06-24-2008, 11:13 AM

don't worry...i have the same exact problems with my Xenarc 700IDT. its just massive and there are no options for me being able to screw it in.

**colin** · 06-24-2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by kmp14

If someone wants it, they are going to get it. Once they go in they are coming out with it, ripping up the dash while doing it. If it is not there.....then they get nothing. Once it is screwed in, I can never remove it, and if I am parked in an area where it is a concern, then the WILL go in if the see it, breaking glass, etc.

A lot of people say that, except I disagree completely. I personally have seen many theft attempts ruined because people have mounted their systems too well. On the other hand, Ive seen (heard of) cars left at auto shops overnight getting their systems removed cleanly! Point is though, if they want it, theyll try -- they wont necessarily get it. They will, however, destroy your dash in the process so I guess its just a matter of which is more convenient in case of a robbery: replacing the dash piece and keeping your screen or keeping your screen and replacing the dash piece.

**kmp14** · 06-24-2008, 01:30 PM

No problem if people disagree with my "theft control". I just wanted to share my project in case someone else wants to do something similar.

**ThunderStick** · 06-24-2008, 10:41 PM

I do like your setup, didnt mean to come off offensive just was curious why

**colin** · 06-25-2008, 12:36 AM

Ditto, I have a 2001 Mustang that I just bought materials for.

There's not enough mustangs on this board to get a decent amount of pictures that show exactly what's needed. Its tough...