roflcopter

I really dont like the taper on my 2008 lilliput 629, its uneven on both sides and just looks bad. I'm trying to make it look as stock as possible by replacing the whole head unit with a new bezel.

Is there any reason why I HAVE to use the stock lilliput bezel for mounting? Couldn't I 'embed' it into the fiberglass. Not actually fiberglassing the unit, but when molding, just building a frame for it to sit in and using my own mounts to hold it steady? I don't see why I wouldn't be able to, but it doesnt seem like anyone on here has done it. The main reason why I want to do this is because I only want about about 3mm of the bezel sticking out passed the screen.

Here is a stock picture of the dash so you can see how the head unit looks. I planned on putting the screen, along with a slot load dvd in it. And making it look like the slot load on the stock head unit. Or should I model it more like the stock navigation and have it bulge out a little bit?

What do you guys think? I realize that I should make the decision, but i'd rather get some input. Maybe you all have some better ideas.

I'm going to start with some fiberglass cloth for the frame to get the basic shape then was going to build up using that.

__________________
2007 Saab 9-3ss 2.0T
Current Progress:
PC
PLANNING [80%] HARDWARE [90%] SOFTWARE [5%] FABRICATION [30%]

CAR AUDIO
PURCHASE [98%] INSTALL [15%] FABRICATION [15%]

Workblog - http://saabcarputer.blogspot.com/

davidp

there is no reason that you would have to use the stock lilliput bezel, most people just do because they have the room and dont want to have to build a custom screen mount when there is one already made. my new install will be using a custom built bezel because for one the monitor i bought was bare (no stock bezel) and because i wouldn't have room for the stock one if it was included.

it is pretty much a matter of what you want to do, and how you want to do it, the easiest way is going to be to use the stock bezel, but the best looking way may be to build your own.

hope this helps,
david

rdholtz

You can use anything you choose -- that's the beauty of making your own system. The important thing to learn from the stock bezel is how it meets the screen, holds it in position, and keeps it from being damaged.

On the 10.4" Lilliput, there are no fasteners to hold the screen into the case -- there are only little plastic positioners molded into the bezel and the case back; they guide the screen into position as the bezel meets the back. You'll have to make a similar arrangement in your bezel to hold the screen firmly in place.

Or you can mount the screen separately. In my system, I've built a separate sheet metal mount to hold the screen, and the bezel will just be a cosmetic face that will clip into the dash. The bezel will not be a structural component, and will bear no load. I'll weld into my bezel the same sort of positioners that are in the Lilliput case so the bezel has no chance to scratch the touchscreen.

See the worklog in my sig for expanded information.

__________________
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If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.

2006 Scion xB -- CarPC installation worklog at http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/work...res-links.html
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roflcopter

thanks for the input guys.

rdholtz-
i like the way you made the brackets for the screen. it gave me a couple of ideas for mine so i appreciate it a lot. I am creating a worklog on my blogspot, but i havent done much yet (its hard to log youre work when you arent working).

saabcarputer.blogspot.com

i was thinking about making essentially a drop in head unit, but i like the idea of being able to just back up the bezel to the screen and have the supports in a frame of some sort rather than using the fiberglass for strength. i will have to sit on this though. i think 1 or 2 layers of fiberglass will be sufficiently strong, but im going to have to test first.

__________________
2007 Saab 9-3ss 2.0T
Current Progress:
PC
PLANNING [80%] HARDWARE [90%] SOFTWARE [5%] FABRICATION [30%]

CAR AUDIO
PURCHASE [98%] INSTALL [15%] FABRICATION [15%]

Workblog - http://saabcarputer.blogspot.com/