Thread: 2004 VW R32 Install - NOT DIAL-UP FRIENDLY

Originally Posted by jaded_gti

if you are going to reproduce this monitor dash piece, count me in for buying one.. how soon?

That depends on a few factors. I'm trying to determine customer demand - as in, what does my customer want? Ideally, I'd like to see the piece done in aluminum. If someone wants it done in plastic, instead, I need to know. Needless to say, there has been a good bit of demand.

I also need to determine if everyone is going to be using Mapower enclosure. If they are, then it would be exactly like mine and simpler to build. If they aren't... well, then things start getting complicated.

I need dash parts. I want to design this thing so it's perfect OEM grade for everyone. Problem is that I can't have my fiance driving my car while I tear has car down for measurements/engineering. I've hunted all over Atlanta trying to find a used center dash piece to no avail. If someone can get one from a junkyard and get it to me along with the HVAC control panel (manual is cheaper, but Climatronic would work too) then I can move forward much quicker.

I'd be happy to do this and can most likely keep it under $100 per unit, but I gotta tackle those issues first and need help/input doing it. PM me?

Originally Posted by Cris

Hey how is that Powermate? I've looking at buying one of those mainly for its looks, but I can't see it's functionality very much, so what do you do with it?
Btw, isn't it a little far from your driving position there?

I DO wish the Powermate was smaller... but there's the geek in me that says it's pretty cool having that glow from the center console. I use it for volume control. Call me old school, but I'm not a big fan of touch-type volume controls. And I admit it is farther from the driving position than I'd like. I simply could not find a better solution. My fiance drives the car, primarily and at 5'5" she has yet to complain about the reach - and she's not one of those gals that sits pressed up against the steering wheel, either! In fact, I've asked her about her opinion of it and she says "It's great".

Here are some more pics: Any more special requests?

LOTR: ROTK SE DVD in Frodoplayer.

Originally Posted by Fuzzball

I just realized that you took out the aluminum trim at the top; the one that hides the cup holders in the other Mark IVs that didn't come in some, if not all of the special editions. I'm still debating if I should live with the current cup holders or not, but that's at the bottom of the mod list and for another forum..

Good eye! I struggled (mentally) with that mod. Because I found out that I could get the cupholder and swap the aluminum cover over to it and it would be completely hidden. AND I saw the positioning of the flapper mod switch and realized I could use my piece to conceal swithces... What pushed me over the edge was wanting to fully integrate the DVD into the dash so it looked as OEM as possible. Some cutting is required, but not enough to make you the least bit nervous. The DVD drive HAS to go under the monitor as it's too long to fit on top and clear the heater box inside the dash.

Originally Posted by Fuzzball

Anyways, I'd love to see your install sometime. You should come to the monthly GTGs at the Varsity. If you came to the last one, I feel stupid for not meeting up with you.

Don't feel stupid - but we were there. The .:R logo on the hood is the easiest way to know it's us - that and the wheels. It was our first one and we'll be back for more. Met Loopsnew (Noosh), Nuppal (Nick and GF) and Jdub (Jeremy) that night. We'll look for you next time. By the time we arrived, we were parking in the back section of the lot, practically alone, until some rice arrived so we were easy to miss. Next month it should be warmer - just look for Teresa (girl in my avatar) she's the easy one to spot - I'll be the tall guy close by.

Just an update on converting the carputer line level outputs to make them more acceptable for the Monsoon amp... I applied too much voltage to the pre-amp solution I was testing and the smoke escaped from it so now the electricity has no smoke trail to ride on. Another pre-amp should be here by the end of the week and I'll be more careful with this one! Nonetheless, it appears I have a solution for adapting the computer's line-level audio outputs into a Monsoon amp. I had four seconds of success while the first unit held the smoke in as long as it could.

Originally Posted by R32 JUhl

Just an update on converting the carputer line level outputs to make them more acceptable for the Monsoon amp... I applied too much voltage to the pre-amp solution I was testing and the smoke escaped from it so now the electricity has no smoke trail to ride on. Another pre-amp should be here by the end of the week and I'll be more careful with this one! Nonetheless, it appears I have a solution for adapting the computer's line-level audio outputs into a Monsoon amp. I had four seconds of success while the first unit held the smoke in as long as it could.

Can't you just feed the pc audio out into the monsoon amp? I know a few guys with Audis (Bose System) did this and it was ok. I was going to do try that too.

Originally Posted by Spaceboy464

Can't you just feed the pc audio out into the monsoon amp? I know a few guys with Audis (Bose System) did this and it was ok. I was going to do try that too.

I tried it, believe me. I don't know about the other systems, but the factory radio in the Golf has a pre-amplifier in it. It sends a pre-amped signal (depending on the content being played) to the Monsoon amp/crossover. The carputer is sending out a 150 mV signal - max of 200 mV. I'm still hunting for a solution.

very nice install ... bravo ... makes me think I need to start harrassing the wige again about doing her jetta

anyway ... I'll have to make an extra effort to make it to the next ATL meet to see this one in person. I live in cumming and work in roswell.

On another note ... many moons ago I think I was part of a thread regarding the monsoon amps ... i'm sure you've done some searching already but I coulda swore some guy with a jetta had it all figured out.