Lilliput into E36 developement pics.

Enforcer · 05-23-2004, 11:20 AM

Current centre console

Centre console obtained from scrapyard to experiment with.

Paper tray from WHSmith, it has the same pattern as the Trip computer and the Air Con.

surround cut out of the tray

Surround in the Centre Console

Lilliput in the combo.

Still need to work on the fixings. Also the filling behind the surround is just a piece of carboard at present, need to get the right thickness plastic to replace it.

Also got to work on the buttons. Am looking to possibly obtain some nice BMW ones like on the trip Computer or the A/C and cut those into the surround underneath the Lilliput.

Note the current surround will be replaced with another one as this is just a prototype one (he says excusing himself for the superglued crack

)

Opinions welcome. (runs and hides in corner)

Q_gamelogic · 05-23-2004, 03:47 PM

VERY VERY nice .... the same texture , (pattern) is really cool , gonna look almost like factory , very nice ....

wondering where you gonna put the OBC thingy ... temp ,trip , diagnostic stuff ... that thing is really usefull ... i mean it gives the errors and stuff

edit: one other thing ... its a good alternative of course to putting the screen infront of the vents ... I hate that ... no air

.....

and thinking about it .. maybe you can even mount the OBC diagnotic thing where the radio was ?? (they are both "din" i think LOL)

shadowpuck · 05-23-2004, 03:51 PM

enforcer - that looks great....and, it so happens, is exactly what i'm trying to do with my e36...i will be very interested to see the future development of your project....

you mention replacing some buttons, are you talking about the ones on the lilliput itself?

Enforcer · 05-23-2004, 04:34 PM

@Q gamelogic, I have seen another E36 where the OBC thing was put into the centre console. You need to extend the cables. I am keeping my headunit so the OBC won't go there. However this is just a first stage, eventually the screen will go up a level to where the stereo and A/C is. However I am finding it difficult to get a breakers to let me take a circular saw to the dashboards in the cars in their stock and the top bit of the dash is very big. So first attempt will go at the bottom, when most of the mechanics are worked out it should be easier to move up. will end putting the stereo faceplate somewhere and having the main body of the headunit tucked away somewhere.

@shadowpuck, the Lilliput buttons are on a small PCB, looking at them they just short to ground to make the circuit, so in theory it shouldn't be difficult to make my own set of buttons, would like to use some acquired from a OBC or A/C unit.

Q_gamelogic · 05-23-2004, 04:55 PM

you could use buttons like the ones for seat heating ... traction control (ASC)and the convert cabrio button etc ... mounted bezide the cig thingy, those are like 4 pin or 2 pin buttons .... that can be easyly hooked up ... just pop out one of the blind littke faces , and pop the new button in .. very clean and easy ...

shadowpuck · 05-23-2004, 05:00 PM

@enforcer - that's an idea i hadn't thought of yet...that sounds like a really good idea...one of the things i had been concerned about with the lilliput was that it wouldn't look quite factory with its buttons....however, some salvaged OBC or AC buttons would work perfectly - and look OEM no less!

@q - i am actually going to be mounting some of my power controls in that area for the computer...i am also going to put the hard drive activity light and such there.... those blanks are great for that kind of stuff....

Enforcer · 05-23-2004, 05:08 PM

@q, have alreadu used one of those ASC buttons as a remote power switch for the PC, the only thing is there won't be enough for all the lilliput functions, besides That it will mean more wires going elsewhere, want to try and keep it all in one area. Hopefully I'll be doing the Coyote upgrade for the power.

ddem3 · 05-24-2004, 02:52 PM

Hey man, do you have a link to the sourroung piece that you used? I am in the middle of the exact same install, but i cannot seem to fabricate a good trim piece. Help me!!!

Thanks alot!
lowry.a@comcast.net

Enforcer · 05-24-2004, 03:25 PM

read the text under the pictures

ddem3 · 05-24-2004, 04:27 PM

Yeh i did, maybe you could clue me in to who/what WHSmith is... I live in the states, and have not heard of such a company. Thanks for your help

Enforcer · 05-24-2004, 04:49 PM

WHSmith is basically a stationery store. The letter tray just happens to have a similar pattern to the other items in the car. Just a lucky find as I was walking through.

thasaint · 06-01-2004, 04:39 PM

i LOVE when people take the time to mold their screen into the car. looks alot better.
i'm in the process right now and will post pics when i'm done.

///Samson · 06-27-2004, 11:45 AM

More pics! Looks good thus far. Here is an old pic I did with a $100 LCD:

kandyman676 · 06-27-2004, 01:53 PM

question: how do you see that when your driving? lol

Q_gamelogic · 06-27-2004, 02:01 PM

heh .. look down .... when you sit in the car .. you can see the OBD normally very well .. so .... the screen goes right were the bordcomputer goes ... so ... should see fine ...

I sit very low in my E36 ... so its not like a toyota or hyundai you're almost sitting on the roof etc. ..

plus the dash has some ... backwards tilt and some right side tilt ... (driver direction)

if it was on the top it would be better I guess for him to see ... but ... you want air more then dvd i would think .. hehe