MatrixPC

I think mouting behind is a better way too if you can relocate the LCD button else where (vertical on the side?). Mount it such a way that you still can push/adjust/tilt the LCD viewing angle. That will help a LOT with glare reduction.
The GPS screen on the Siena van can be tilt adjust to the best viewing angle base on where/when the sun hit the screen and I really love that.

__________________
2004 Matrix XR A7N8X-VM/400 AMD XP-M 2500+, DS-ATX
89 Supra Turbo P3 600E@750/Abit BE6 II, Alpine M-BUS Car2PC.
Y2K Accord Dell GX150
RoadRunner is the best FE PERIOD
EmoRebellion is a SCAMMER

MP3Car.com

 

uncrase

MatrixPC and Matrix_24. I had a question about the placement
of the HU where the cig. lighter originally is (below the air controls).

I noticed you guys were talking about moving the 110VAC outlet etc,
however in my Matrix that area is occupied by a cig. lighter on
the left side, and a small storage area with cover taking up the right
3/4 of that area. The problem with that cover is that it's the type
that swivels open, it's not simply a cover.

I'm wondering if you guys had a different situation and simply cut
into that piece.

MatrixPC

The only different with the 110VAC option we (Matrix_24 and I) have and yours is the cover right of the cig lighter. With the 110VAC, the cover just have 2 hole that hold the plug and the switch. Behide it is a "box" like you said.
Just use a sharp ultility knife to cut it out to the size of the HU body. It is very tight fit (openning). Depend on HU, you may have an inch and half or less. Mine has about an inch which is enought for all the cables/wires. Make sure to make some "creative" hanger/mount so that the HU won't rocking up/down with pothole/speedbump.

__________________
2004 Matrix XR A7N8X-VM/400 AMD XP-M 2500+, DS-ATX
89 Supra Turbo P3 600E@750/Abit BE6 II, Alpine M-BUS Car2PC.
Y2K Accord Dell GX150
RoadRunner is the best FE PERIOD
EmoRebellion is a SCAMMER

Matrix_24

I have a base model, so I had the storage area too. I used a dremel with a cutting wheel and first started by cutting the box off the back. Once the box is off you can start measuring and cutting. I did a lot of cutting and test fitting. Be careful, the piece that goes around the shifter is barely held on once you are done cutting. I guess it does not matter too much if it comes loose, it will all go back into place. To take that center section out remove the center dial by pulling it out and there is a screw there. After that there are 2 pronges that hold it in at the top. To get to those I removed the silver pieces on the side and there are holes to get a small screw driver into. The part around the shifter comes up easily with a small screw driver too. I did not have to alter anything other than the front piece. I saved the door to the storage compartment and cut it to make sure I did not have a little gap on the side.

You can either put the cig lighter somewhere else or rout it to the location where the screen is for power.

MatrixPC, what are you doing for power, I am getting flickering and thinking it is the cig lighter power. I need to test with the AC adapter today to see if that is the problem.

Matrix_24

I did not hmake a mount. Mine is such a tight fit it will not move even by wiggling in from inside the dash. It is so tight that if I need to remove it I need to push it out from behind the dash, I can't simply pull it out.

MatrixPC

The Lilliput is power by the EGG and plug into that cig adapter.
The screen sometime fliker but that is like 5% so it is acceptable for me. Maybe someday, I just have to power it by the PSU. I already has the power wire up from the PC to the LCD. I just lazy to wire up a relay to power the LCD.

__________________
2004 Matrix XR A7N8X-VM/400 AMD XP-M 2500+, DS-ATX
89 Supra Turbo P3 600E@750/Abit BE6 II, Alpine M-BUS Car2PC.
Y2K Accord Dell GX150
RoadRunner is the best FE PERIOD
EmoRebellion is a SCAMMER

uncrase

So I completed step one of the process... I actually went to a salvage yard
and they had an '03 Matrix (the poor thing was completely totalled!)
But at least the radio bezel as well as the lower mid console section
were still in good shape. So I had the guy rip me off and I ended up
paying about 40% of the new price. But at least I have peace of mind
that I can put back the original parts when I change cars.

So I'm almost ready to put my new HU in, but I'm wondering where you
guys found the wiring information for the Matrix? The plug seems to be
proprietary so I'm going to have to rewire to the Clarion (new HU) plug,
however I can't seen to find the details of which wire is which.

Thanks,
Martjin

Matrix_24

If you are talking about the wiring for the radio, I bought an adapter (you could get tem any where) and it had the wiring on the back of the package, HERE IS A LINK TO IT. It tells you how to solder it to the harness that comes with your aftermarket radio.

MP3Car.com

 

uncrase

I ended up getting that exact adapter at my local store (Futureshop). I had to go
back once because I thought it wasn't working but that was because I didn't hook up
the "accessory 12V" line. Anyway, I finally got it completed (the new HU part).

It definitely fits very tight, although without the metal it's definitely still prone
to threft. However I did realise some interesting coinidence. Since I have an
automatic, you can not move the shifter out of P without turning the key.
And with the shifter in P you could never get the radio out of that position.
Now lets hope that if they ever break in they don't try to force the shifter out of P.

I was wondering BTW about the heat dissipation with the HU in this alternate position.
Do you guys have any problems with that? I know the whole case acts as one big
cooling, however in the case of the stock radio, this metal case is connected to
a big metal safety bar that's behind it. With this new HU the heat is not really
disspated. I was wondering if this has caused you guys any problems?

Cheers

Matrix_24

I have not had an issue with heat. I do not know what you are talking about with the safety bar, mine did not have that.

uncrase

Okay, that's good to hear that you haven't had issues. I thought I'd ask you guys
since you've been using this setup for a while now.

PS The safety bar I'm talking about is a metal pipe (about 2" diameter) that runs behind
the place where the stock radio used to be. You can actually see it in the first picture
in this thread (page 1). It's the vaguely shiny area towards the bottom of the stock radio
area, it has some screw holes in it as well.

paco cj

your work looks great but it would look better with relocated buttons

chomo

Looking great!!! I agree on the bringging up the A/C controls, though... I'm trying to do something pretty much alike with my New Beetle, but I'm relocating the A/C controls (still figuring out where).

Suggestion: Really, how often do you use the A/C controls? usually you set them when you get in the car and move them very little after that; how about getting a keyboard over them? it should solve the overposing problem

Slightly_Stoopi

WOOT WOOT!!! I'm joining in on the Matrix PC's, i've got most of my parts comming in, I'm guessing i'll be done with everything in about 2 weeks (mobo is what I'm waiting on, comes in monday...DON'T ORDER FROM IBOXPC!!! Not only can you not understand them, they jack you on shipping...it still was cheaper there for me to order the mobo, but not worth the time and hassel)

My monitors going in just like Matrix_24's and MatrixPC's, i got the 629 lilli so it will look the same as this install. i'm going to put my computer right behind the monitor in a custom made case using the stereo Din kit. The only difference with my install, other than the case in the dash, is that I'm going to be putting my HU into a custom center console under the shifter. I figure I'm not going to be using it all that often, so why not. I'm running into problems with the shifter and the Ebrake not providing enough clearance.

It will be an adventure

-Mike

MP3Car.com