Kals Custom Escalade Dash Process

EsKALad · 01-14-2006, 02:13 PM

ok guys i realize i have never done a step by step fab of what i do and how i do it. well heres a few pics of my dash. this is the original dash i cut the a.c controls bezel out and moved it down than put my 8 inch lilliput bezel in there. epoxied it in with plastic weld and some abs cement and bits. i think im gonna finish it with bondo since i like working with it better and its less messy than the abs ****. lol heres some pics of the dash now you can see what i did so far.

DOHCrazy · 01-14-2006, 02:25 PM

Wow, exact same dash, exact same screen.

Cant wait to see how it turns out, esspecially since Im doing the EXACT same thing, ha.

Where did you put your AC controls? Im gonna put mine down in a center console with my headunit. How hard was it to lengthen the wires, if you did.

EDIT: Just realized you put the AC where the pocket was. Im thinking about trying to keep my pocket, but it may be too much work to lengthen the wires so I might do what you did.

Second Edit: How are you gonna mount the AC controls low inside the dash to they line up with the new plate?

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EsKALad · 01-14-2006, 10:37 PM

lol i actually my dash now i had to move the ac controls down and extended the wires down to the armrest its hidden in that cubby now. im going to put it back to original and cut the dash behind to fit the ac controls lower. no biggie. no one will see the dash cut lol.

DOHCrazy · 01-14-2006, 11:20 PM

That was horrible english, but from what I tryed to read I got.

1. Your AC controls are down in the center console right now.
How hard was it to lengthen the wires?

2. You plan on moving the AC controls back to the dash.

EsKALad · 01-14-2006, 11:22 PM

my english isnt horrible. im just too lazy to type clearly lol. and yes you're right on both accounts. let me ask what type of vehicle do you have and what color?

DOHCrazy · 01-15-2006, 12:28 PM

I have a 95 Tahoe. Same dash as you. Interior is grey, dash insert is black like yours. Exterior is green.

How hard was it to lengthen the wires?

EsKALad · 01-15-2006, 01:07 PM

not hard at all. but i extended each group alone. there should be 3 groups. 1 group for rear defrost. one group for the actuall on off switching, and one group for the long grey pin wire that controls where the air is directed. each group has a few of the same color wires as the other group, so number the wires or something so you dont get confused and extend them wrong. and use some good thick gauge wire because mine got extremely hot when i used thinner wire. i actually have my dash now for sale if your interested. or send me your dash and ill do it for you.

DOHCrazy · 01-15-2006, 01:26 PM

Im fine on doing it, plus I already have 4040, 4058 and some Rage Gold. How come your not finishing yours?

Are there like 100 wires back there, or is it just a few per control?

I planned on using 18 gauge, how thick did you use?

EsKALad · 01-15-2006, 02:00 PM

i think i used 14 and it still gets a little hot. but than again i extended mine about 6 feet. i think theres a total of 19 or 20 wires if i remember. some thicker than others. if i were you honestly id do it the way i have above. the pocket wont do **** for you just cut out the sides behind the dash to make room for the ac controls. and im not finishing mine right now cuz i got alot of hw to do today. when im done ill start epoxying and bondoing.

DOHCrazy · 01-15-2006, 02:04 PM

I just like to put my phone in the pocket, but it sounds as if its gonna be too much to work to extend it.

Ill get used to not using the pocket.

Have you already done any work on the inside of the dash to mount the AC controls? If so, have any pictures??

I have to build my center console first so I have a place to put my headunit and my computer, so I wont be able to start until after that.

EsKALad · 01-15-2006, 02:17 PM

honestly i used to use a headunit but no longer do. i use a 4 channel alpine amp with the signal running str8 off the onboard sound and it sounds really good!

i will take pictures of where i need to cut the dash so you know.

also if you have the 2wd 4wd option and the button is blank i reccomend throwing in a usb there for when you need it. thats what im going to do.