98 4runner dash fab, a/c relocation

seanz0rz · 04-29-2007, 10:33 PM

heres pictures of what i want to do:

the pencil line where the cup holder is, on the right side, will be the top right of the screen. im cutting that piece out, and molding the screen in there.

now, where do i put the ac controls? any suggestions...

edit, for clarification, the ac controls currently reside in the widest slot, directly beneth the top of the screen bezel. they are mechanical lever/pushrod setup.

MatrixPC · 04-30-2007, 01:43 PM

Well, because you already mess with the factory bezel, why not put it below the "to be" screen?
If you want minimal work, trim the lcd bezel to fit in that double din so there will be no messy fab work.

seanz0rz · 04-30-2007, 02:00 PM

i kinda want the headunit under the screen in whats left of that double din, since i use it a whole lot more than i fiddle with the ac controls.

i was thinking of putting the ac controls where the cig lighter socket is.

i tried searching, but didnt come up with much about extending those push/pull mechanical rods.

MatrixPC · 04-30-2007, 02:30 PM

I rather have the HU down there (if it fit).
The last thing I would mess with is the HVAC especially the push/pull thing.
I'm not sure about the runner but the matrix, I can move it about couple inches by trying different route.

seanz0rz · 04-30-2007, 02:59 PM

i was playing with it the other day, to move it to the bottom din slot im still going to have to make new cables, so i figure i mine as well put it where i want it.

any ideas on making new cables?

MatrixPC · 04-30-2007, 03:11 PM

Local junkyard from other car.
Just find one that is longer than yours and make sure that the 2 end is similar/same or can easily be bent. There are many 87-92 camry or early tacoma/runner that probably fit the runner .

seanz0rz · 04-30-2007, 05:49 PM

ok ill look into that. in the mean time im going to start clearing space in the dash cavity for all this new crap, also going to go pull the ac controls later and see what i cant come up with. then ill be dremeling on the dash piece to fit my screen, then abs sheet and sludge for the fill in. and then i think i have a secret weapon after that...

ncervantez · 04-30-2007, 06:10 PM

I have a 1999 4runner which is almost the same center bezel as you and put the screen where the double din radio was. I started with a 7" 16:9 lilliput that looked great but I then put a 8" 4:3, now I have a 8" 16:9.

seanz0rz · 04-30-2007, 06:41 PM

putting it into the double din is way too low for my liking.

i just spent nearly an hour removing the ac controls. what a pain in the ***.

now what im thinking is moving those existing cables around and see if i can get them to reach the new location lower in the dash. if i cant ill have to make extentions. shouldnt be a big deal.

im getting very excited about this project now, its actually happening and im now forced to keep moving on it because now i dont have hvac or radio.

seanz0rz · 04-30-2007, 08:37 PM

so looking at the cables closer, im definately going to have to extend both the mechanical cables and the wiring harness and im not really sure how to do that...

i know how to extend the wiring harness, no big deal. the mechanical stuff on the other hand is, i think, near impossible. has anyone seen or heard of anyone doing this? links anything would help!

seanz0rz · 04-30-2007, 10:30 PM

so heres my solution:

i purchased an identical control unit but with the cables attached, i will splice the cables together (got it all worked out in my head...)

so now that i have that crisis averted, time for some cutting!!! pictures to come!

seanz0rz · 05-01-2007, 10:29 PM

i have pictures!!! here is what ive gotten done so far:

i cut out the bottom to recieve the ac controls, something ill have to work on when they get here. the screen is held in at the top and via those wings on each side. im unsure how im going to fill up all that voided space, but im thinking carefully crafted pieces of abs plastic, all epoxied together to provide structure, then maybe fiberglass over that to smooth everything out.

any bright ideas, things i might have forgot, etc? it helps to know now before i get too deep in. thanks guys.

MatrixPC · 05-02-2007, 08:53 AM

Sean, go to any supermarket, food4less, ralph, vons .... and buy yourself a favorite popcicle. Eat the crap out of it and save the stick. Use it to fill the gap. If you don't like popcicle, just go to any craft store (Michael?) and buy some balsa wood. Other option is paint stirring stick from Homedepot or Lowes.
I use balsa wood on 2 of my installation. Look at my recent Supra fab.

seanz0rz · 05-02-2007, 11:40 AM

well luckily i have tons of plastic left over from what i cut out, so im cutting and using that to fill in. this weekend ill be able to pick up my sheet of abs from home and start using that to create the front.

seanz0rz · 05-02-2007, 11:20 PM

im not sure my plastic epoxy is holding...

i did some research on my plastic type >PPE+PS< and i think it should work, but when i picked up the piece today i heard a crack.

anything else i should try?