http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ Fiberglass, bondo, etc. Make your project look factory! en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:50:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137348-factory-finish-iphone-mount-fabbed-into-dash-97-4runner.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:17:42 GMT Well, this is my first attempt at using epoxy, epoxy putt and glazing putty EVER, so I guess the title is misleading as I was attempting at a factory finish :doh:

I'm very happy with the fit as well as functionality and the looks at night :Cry:.. but unfortunately I'm still learning to work with the glazing putty and will definitely sand it down and have another go at it in the near future for a better final painted finish!

any tips on getting a better finish is greatly appreciated!

BTW, thank you Nexson (Brian) for your awesome work, pointers and inspiration, you are the FAB man!!! hopefully I will be as half as good as you when I grow up :)

Stock 97 4runner dash



My Stock Dash, when I first picked up my dirty 97 4runner with 500,000 KM on her!


- Cut out left vent and cup holder (really dumb pull out dahs cup holder that had coffee spilling all over the place, and I installed 99 4runner center console cup holder :))
- epoxied in plastic filler and iphone dock


- epoxied in plastic filler (piece of cup holder I cut out) above dock where vent was


- used epoxy putty to fill in gaps as well a large build up above dock
- taped iphone and jammed it in dock against putt and let dry to form iPhone shaped mold
- pried out iPhone and peeled off tape


- Sanded epoxy putty with 220 grit sand paper (dry)


- first coat of bondo glazing putty (sanded with 400 grit sand paper dry)
- did this 3 times
- also filled a few larger holes and straightened out the line under the dock with some more expoxy putty


- Primed with filler primer ( 3 coats and then some more bondo epoxy putty and 400 grit sanding before 4th coat)


- close up after 3rd coat of filler primer


- 4 coats of trim black spray paint
- poor quality iphone pick that I'll retake tomorrow and post!
- car charger in back will run directly to uninterrupted battery power
- audio in from Pioneer deck ran in back to the dock
]]> Fabrication racorbit http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137348-factory-finish-iphone-mount-fabbed-into-dash-97-4runner.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137340-2005-pathfinder.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:45:08 GMT So i got a eby701 and i have to mount it in my 2005 pathfinder. Now i thought this was going to be easy as i thought it was double din. I ordered the plate from bybyte.com. Thought i was going to just mount and run but no luck. I bought the metra kit that bybyte told me to get. Thoughts on how... So i got a eby701 and i have to mount it in my 2005 pathfinder. Now i thought this was going to be easy as i thought it was double din. I ordered the plate from bybyte.com. Thought i was going to just mount and run but no luck. I bought the metra kit that bybyte told me to get. Thoughts on how to mount this. It seems they want me to glue the bezel from metra kit to the bybyte bezel??? ]]> Fabrication themlruts http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137340-2005-pathfinder.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137300-please-help-me-some-ideas.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:56:51 GMT





I recently purchased the pioneer f500bt and I'm looking for some ideas where to install it in my Touareg. I want a OE look. Thanks in advance. ]]> Fabrication m35x_touareg http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137300-please-help-me-some-ideas.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137233-roof-mounted-flip-down-pocket-pc-sooooo-many-possibilities.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:39:59 GMT Well to be honest the only reason that im doing this bit of fabrication is because I have a Dell Axim X50V Pocket PC basically 'spare' after getting a new phone that can do everything that it used to do.

I'm almost finished on a pretty big install on my car which is covered in the worklog section of the forum. But seing as im doing this as a bit of a side project I figured it was better suited to being here.

As part of the main install I've replaced the roof lining of the car (black now, beige before) and was reminded that my car has a flip down compartment for holding sunglasses. Well, I live in England and as such have very little use for sunglasses as we get very little sun, besides the fact that every pair of sunglasses I've ever tried on have made me look like a pimp, lol. But figured that with a bit of work I could use the compartment to install a flip down pocket PC.

I'm going to route a 5V supply from my CarPC M2-ATX (under the drivers seat) up into the roof lining and into the Pocket PC to keep the battery topped up. It uses an extended battery so it will survive on standby for a few weeks if I go away and dont use the car.

Anyway, some pics:


First step was to remove the front cover from the PDA, lay it down on its front and glue two 'extension' pieces to it (using black acrylic plastic) to make it wide enough to accurately position over the sunglasses holder.


Then removed the little plastic clips that clip the front cover to the rest of the PDA, this will allow me to remove the 'guts' of the PDA in future if I need to.


This pic and the next show the front assembly hot glued to the glasses holder in the perfect position (I test fitted the PDA alone in this position to make sure it would still fit in the roof.)




Then used stripboard, dont know what its called in the US but its basically a fibreboard with lots of tiny holes drilled in it. It's easy to shape and glue into place and has the benefit that when you put filler over it, it seeps through the holes and really reduces the chances of cracks. Once those bite were in, I shaped and sanded the plastic extension pieces to suit.






Last two pics were taken shortly after the first quick coat of filler. Tomorrow ill get on with the usual sanding and re-filling then a coat of primer.



So thats where I am now. Only took a couple of hours so I'm really happy with the progress.

Here's my initial ideas for its uses after setting the PDA up with an ad-hoc wi-fi network to the CarPC:

- Controller for NOS
- Display for rear view camera
- ........ Here's where I ask for suggestions! lol

more to come.

Jon

P.S. If you're wondering why the PDA isn't mounted centrally in the holder, it's because the circuit board from the Dell docking/charging station that I stripped down is about an inch high and plugs into the bottom of the PDA so it needed a bit more space, function over form! ]]> Fabrication Greeno2k8 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137233-roof-mounted-flip-down-pocket-pc-sooooo-many-possibilities.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137052-map-dome-light-connect.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:39:21 GMT I don't really know where to ask this.

I've been doing some mods on my 7th gen civic (2001) and want to connect the map light and dome light so that they all go on when the doors open. Does anyone know how to do this? I run a wire from the dome to the map light but when i open the door the 7amp fuse just pops. ]]> Fabrication djvillar http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137052-map-dome-light-connect.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137032-security-fab-up-cover.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:50:56 GMT has anyone made anything that covered their screen while not in use so it looks like belongs there and keeps peering eyes away? has anyone made anything that covered their screen while not in use so it looks like belongs there and keeps peering eyes away?:pop: ]]> Fabrication redbeauty2012 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/137032-security-fab-up-cover.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136903-wtb-polypropylene-sheet-375-pix-x50-mute-sub-vol-dashhawk-steering-column.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:15:05 GMT I found some but it was a company in CA and shipping was as much as the sheet itself. Anyone know anywhere else to get ~0.375" Black Polypropylene sheet?
This is the only place I found so far, but shipping for a 12x12x.375 is www.polyzone.com

I originally mounted my DH in the steering column using resin, but want to try to do it using plastic welding. The steering column is made of PP. Looking in here gives me other ideas seeing all the great stickies, thou I think that sense it is PP, using PP is my best choice.

Here is some info (sorry, I cant view pics at work so im not sure what im posting):

So just finished getting the Dashhawk mounted. I wanted DH as low as possible. Hence spending all that time making the mount the way I did. Not perfection but it is functional. It would be cool to make the DH mount match the lumpy texture but it is hardly noticeable as is. This mount allows it to sit ~.75" lower so it doesn't block my instrument panel.

The Dashhawk wire is not hidden but I have a spare so it will never have to come out of the car. When you buy the EGT sensor for the DH they give you a new cable that has a second plug coming off for the sensor.
DH EGT
So I used the velcro that was provided with the DH and it is fairly solid, which is nice about the kind they use where both sides are plastic. I guess it is 3m 3M DUAL LOCK , im going to get some more of that, its awesome. Not flex like with regular velcro. But I wanted it removable so I could use it in other cars and take it inside to upload datalogs with out having to bring my laptop in the car. Ideally I will have a carputer that I can just upload them to but my carputer project has been stalled with having to send the screen back to china and working with an old dell laptop.


The passport 8500 x50 comes with a mute button and lights on the cigarette plug.



So that is what I installed on my steering column. Getting the mute button to fit was a B### also, but did that a year ago.
link to post with some pics
If you have ever taken off your steering column cover you will see that right where this goes is only enough space for just it to fit if everything is lined up perfectly. That is why you use super glue to test fit than apply gobs of epoxy resin. This was before I knew about plastic welding, but the glue held, probably because I roughed up the surface so its just a mechanical bond.
Lights are still functional as well, but wanted to get new LEDs and have them actually stick out of the top of the steering column. It is nice because the mute button is blocked by my mirror and I use it every day. If I got the new GPS radar detector I may not have to use it as much.

16 wires going to the steering column now. All of them are wired up using spade connectors and actually ended up using a serial plug as well (so it is all removable w/out cutting wires)

I just added the Laser Interceptor speaker (took out of control box little 8Ω 1w thing) above the switch. I did an awful job drilling the holes for the speaker. I knew I would so I don't know why I did it, but I had a spare so I made a new one with nice holes.

Almost done. And yes it fits.































So here are some installed pics:












All my pics suck sorry I fail...

Some pics of the Laser Interceptor jammers:
















I will do a separate post with the stereo install as this post was supposed to be purely about where to get PP. ]]> Fabrication aviator79 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136903-wtb-polypropylene-sheet-375-pix-x50-mute-sub-vol-dashhawk-steering-column.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136884-2000-jeep-grand-cherokee-screen-fabrication.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:16:39 GMT I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get a screen into my 2000 Grand Cherokee. At first I was going to go the quick route by using a motorized unit but after reading all the horror stories I decided against that. Most of the other installs I've seen get rid of the center vents but I don't want to do that. So I decided to try my hand at fabricating the screen in myself with a Liliput EBY701 I picked up off of Ebay.




I cut the case down just enough so the screen would have something around all the sides.


the original trim had woodgrain on it so I removed that and made the cut out to fit the front screen case.


Making sure things lined up, a little sanding and dremel goes a long way.


I used Expoxy to secure the screen to the bezel, it would be really bad to
have the screen fall in or out when you go to touch it.


I had to make sure I didn't put too much epoxy near the touchscreen.


I made sure to have enough epoxy on the outter edges and across the top
where it didn't interfere with the screen.



Once again this is my first attempt at fabrication, I just went with it and covered the whole thing.


Sanding, sanding and more sanding. The only thing I should've done before this stage was remove the vents. They were a pain to get out after the fact.


I had to make sure I left enough of an opening for the buttons. I guess I could've covered it up then trimmed it afterwards.


All primmed up


I finish isn't as glossy as it looks here but I'm still thinking of doing another fabrication to fix things that I found wrong with this one. Everyone says it looks great but It's the minor things that bugs the hell out of me.


Here's the screen installed.


I had to figure out what to do with the circuit board so I came up with the idea of cutting the back cover of the screen down enough for me to mount that to the front. This way the whole thing is one unit. Since I cut the original screw post off I had to make some new ones. I cut these out of a hard drive case I had. I used some plastic epoxy to fasten them to the front.


I didn't have much room to work with on this side so I attached it to the circuit board. There's very little presure from the back so this should be fine.


I had to make a cutout for a the screw to anchor to, I basically trimmed a piece of plastic and used the epoxy to hold it to the back.



Here's the results of all that work. I'm still thinking of doing another one but this time send it out to have a woodgrain finish put on it. I do like this one and best of all I was able to keep my center vents :dance: ]]> Fabrication that_kid http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136884-2000-jeep-grand-cherokee-screen-fabrication.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136794-double-din-motorized-lcd-chassis-china.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:50:34 GMT Hi:

This is my first post and hope not the last. I'm from Peru and have been reading a lot this forums and surfing the web. I found cheap indash dvd tv tuner with motorized lcd on chinese web sites. I was thinking about getting one unit for about $300 including shipping and tearing it apart just for use the chassis and motorized LCD and the custom frame that houses the front usb & SD card slot (Nice!). Do you think that the size of the device can hold a mini-itx inside??. It's a good idea or i have to go with a custom chassis and LCd like others.

Right now i have an Intel Atom Board , with dc-dc power and 2.5 sata2 HD, memory, etc. Just needing the enclosure.

Thanx in advance for your answers. ]]> Fabrication Cesarius http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136794-double-din-motorized-lcd-chassis-china.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136751-usb-install.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:46:03 GMT Looking to install a usb extension into the cup holder section of the center console...what is the proper way to cut a hole and install a female USB plug. Thanks Looking to install a usb extension into the cup holder section of the center console...what is the proper way to cut a hole and install a female USB plug.

Thanks ]]> Fabrication keithbrown http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136751-usb-install.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136651-creation-boxes-car-computer.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:05:04 GMT Drawing (eDrawings Viewer) Drawing PC case (JPG, DXF, CDR) Drawing (eDrawings Viewer)

Drawing PC case (JPG, DXF, CDR)







]]> Fabrication Starzkv http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136651-creation-boxes-car-computer.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136528-bondo-fiberglass-lilliput-spray-paint.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:08:04 GMT I am going to bondo/fiberglass my lilliput lcd so it look OEM. Does anyone know what spray paint matches the lilliput eby701 housing? Krylon, Duplicolor, sem? I am going to bondo/fiberglass my lilliput lcd so it look OEM. Does anyone know what spray paint matches the lilliput eby701 housing? Krylon, Duplicolor, sem? ]]> Fabrication atrixstars http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136528-bondo-fiberglass-lilliput-spray-paint.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136287-need-help-getting-hardware-swivel-monitor.html Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:46:09 GMT Greetings everyone, I need some ideas/suggestions for getting the proper hardware to make my monitor swivel on the existing dome light housing of my car. Below i managed to cut what now looks like a lid and the look is decently clean. The monitor (a 5/6 inch) fits perfect on the lid. I would... Greetings everyone,

I need some ideas/suggestions for getting the proper hardware to make my monitor swivel on the existing dome light housing of my car.

Below i managed to cut what now looks like a lid and the look is decently clean. The monitor (a 5/6 inch) fits perfect on the lid. I would like to figure out how to mount it on the lid - i'm thinking of using a strong double-sided tape. What do you think? Do you think heat will be a problem?



Then there's the hardware for having it swivel open. I would like if possible hardware that would give the monitor an open-slowly ability (rather than just flop down).



If possible, i would like the hardware to mount just a bit towards the middle of the lid - as i don't like a monitor that would open all the way down. If i can mount the hardware a little down it would make it for a nice open and close and would not stress the hardware as much.



I have no clue where to purchase such hardware, and any links or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

thanks ]]> Fabrication afterdigital http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabrication/136287-need-help-getting-hardware-swivel-monitor.html