Thread: 95 Mustang Custom Dash

Awesome man. I drive a 2000GT (same console clustering) at the moment and didn't even think it would be possible to put in a screen and make it look clean... you have proven me wrong, it looks awesome man. I'm currently planning an all-in dash CarPC for my new 2005GT, is yours all in dash or in another spot? Either way, great fab work on making those two single DINs into a double DIN and moving the AC controls down... the swithes in the ash tray are a nice touch, too bad the 99+ have dual cup holders there instead.

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

I'v got tons of high-res pics of the entire process. If anyone wants them, PM me or just ask.

I'd like to take you up on that offer. I'm interested in several things. First, how did you go about moving the AC controls? I have seriously considered this in my 'stang, havn't done it yet. At the moment I have my HU in the top din, AC in top din, and in "pocket" din, I have a fold out screen. But I'm interested in doing as you have done.

Also, where did you mount the PC?... I'm toying with several locations and havn't found the perfect spot yet.

Also, does your 'stang have the Mach Audio system, and if so does your PC use the amplifier in the stock Mach Audio system?

I'd appreciate any and all pictures available.

Much thanx in advance,
Knight.

Originally Posted by Brad Groux

...is yours all in dash or in another spot? ... the swithes in the ash tray are a nice touch, too bad the 99+ have dual cup holders there instead.

I put the Ampie case behind the passenger seat on the floor. I would have placed it completely under the seat but there is this odd hump which serves no purpose that I can see from under the chasis . Since 2.5" drives are really sensitive to shock, I placed the entire case on a grey pillow slightly larger than the case itself; its not fixed in place but it never moves.

That kinda sucks there is no ashtray for switches, but consider yourself lucky that you can at least put big cups in the holder; the 95's have a tiny pop-out holder big enough to fit a can .

Originally Posted by Knightofoldcode

I'd like to take you up on that offer. I'm interested in several things. First, how did you go about moving the AC controls? I have seriously considered this in my 'stang, havn't done it yet. At the moment I have my HU in the top din, AC in top din, and in "pocket" din, I have a fold out screen. But I'm interested in doing as you have done.
Knight.

To relocate the A/C controls, I had to disconnect all cables and tubes from it. There are these 2 black tubes that go to the temp control; those are what you need to worry about. They are really rigid but slightly flexable, just dont kink them. Just take your time and dont rush. I did not hard mount the controls after relocation, those 2 black tubes create some forward push, if positioned properly, to hold the controls in place. If you push the controls in, of course it will sink in, but for occational use it doesnt bother me. You could always work up some kind of bracket to screw into the back frame, but that would probably be a half days work if not longer. It all depends on how much work and patience you are willing to put into it.

Click to see full size.

Excuse the ghosting but this is what you start out with...


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This is after 2 hours of fiddling and swearing...


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Originally Posted by Knightofoldcode

Also, where did you mount the PC?... I'm toying with several locations and havn't found the perfect spot yet.

^^ In previous post ^^

Originally Posted by Knightofoldcode

Also, does your 'stang have the Mach Audio system, and if so does your PC use the amplifier in the stock Mach Audio system?

The 95's had crap systems. I replaced all the speakers with Planet Audio Vortex series speakers. I still use the stock amp to power the speakers but I do have a 2nd amp (Sound Storm 500W) on the back of the back seat for the sub.

Ok I finished the USB coin holder.

What I did...

1. Buy 2x 4ft USB extension cables.

2. Remove center console like here..

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3. Pop out the coin holder from underneith.

4. (hard part) Get thin plastic cut to shape of coin holder and cut out 2 rectangles exactly where USB connecters will be; USB logo optional. I made a template in Corel Draw 10 and used the laser engraver at work for this.

5. Use dremel to cut 2 rectangular openings in line with top plate openings.

6. Glue the extensions into the coin holder and let dry for a few hours; then glue top plate onto the coin holder.

7. Run cables and pop the thing back into place.

All Done!


...After looking at this pic I realized how dirty the other coin holder is, Ima gonna clean it right now... flash ruins everything.

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

...After looking at this pic I realized how dirty the other coin holder is, Ima gonna clean it right now... flash ruins everything.

That looks excellent.

I like the logo, adds a nice touch to it.

Those "coin holders" always get dirty, and it's harder then hell to get in to clean them.

I'm not so sure they are intended as coin holders, hence why are so wortless. I know in my 'stang, ('96 Convertable V6) the one where your USB is, is my convertable top control. Center position is off, one way is up, other way is down. Also the other spot is for foglight's, on or off.

I just can't bring myself to just leave the ampy computer case sitting there on the floorboard of the backseat. I do occasionally have people in my backseat.

I'll get to the rest of the post in a little bit, I need to restart my computer.

Knight.

Originally Posted by Knightofoldcode

I'm not so sure they are intended as coin holders, hence why are so wortless. I know in my 'stang, ('96 Convertable V6) the one where your USB is, is my convertable top control. Center position is off, one way is up, other way is down. Also the other spot is for foglight's, on or off.

I just can't bring myself to just leave the ampy computer case sitting there on the floorboard of the backseat. I do occasionally have people in my backseat.

Knight.

I never thought of that, everyone elses Stang Iv been in is a hard top. As for the fog lights, mine are aftermarket remote controlled, like the keyless entry. OEM ones won't fit on my front bumper.

As for the Ampie being on the floor, I havent found any better place to put it without running extensions for every cable; power, vga, 2x sound, 3x USB. It hasnt bothered me as is.

I am finally able to make a decent reply post.

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

I never thought of that, everyone elses Stang Iv been in is a hard top. As for the fog lights, mine are aftermarket remote controlled, like the keyless entry. OEM ones won't fit on my front bumper.

I'll take pics when I get a chance. I have to clean them first.

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

As for the Ampie being on the floor, I havent found any better place to put it without running extensions for every cable; power, vga, 2x sound, 3x USB. It hasnt bothered me as is.

So far, I just made the effort, and ran extension cables from the dash to the back of the seat (probably same spot your aftermarket amp is at.) Just FYI the back seat has some excellent options for storing extra cable length. I was willing to cut and manufacture my own RCA, 3.5 mm Stereo, USB, and other cables, but I am not interested in removing too much length in my Clarion Sirius cable, nor my VGA cable (too many connections in too small a cable). So I just wound them up and threw the extra under there, works excellent. As for the 3 USB, why not just run one USB cable and a small hub in the dash?... That's what I'm going to do. Two sound?.... I can figure out what first one is, but what's the second sound for, or is that for a 5.1 stereo system?

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

I would have placed it completely under the seat but there is this odd hump which serves no purpose that I can see from under the chasis .

I suspect this hump is structural. If you take a thin sheet of sheet metal, it will bend easy. Bend it into a U shape in any spot of the metal, and it becomes fairly rigid. Same with a larger sheet metal. It could be structural support in the event of a crash.

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

Since 2.5" drives are really sensitive to shock, I placed the entire case on a grey pillow slightly larger than the case itself; its not fixed in place but it never moves.

I suspect this is overkill. The 2.5" harddrives are VERY capable of handling large amounts of shock. Certainly much better than the 3.5" drives. They were made for laptops. However, if that works, run with it man.

Originally Posted by XtremeSteel

That kinda sucks there is no ashtray for switches, but consider yourself lucky that you can at least put big cups in the holder; the 95's have a tiny pop-out holder big enough to fit a can

I am so sick of not having any decent drink holder....we should fabricate something....I just don't have any clue what, or where.

Did you have to splice and add in wire/tubing when you relocated the A/C controls, or was there enough slack?

Knight.