03 Neon SXT in-dash Xenarc install

damarble · 06-07-2006, 02:16 AM

So I've had my carpc built and running nicely in my old car for almost 1/2 year now. I just used the included stand and screwed it to the dash, since I planned to get a new car soon.

Well the new car is here and I'm ready to start fabbing a center bezel/console. I do have a few options.

In the pic it looks like the bottom of the colsole curves in sharply, but in reality it is almost straight up and down.

I think I'd prefer to put the LCD near the bottom, using the cubby/lighter area and the HU area. That would mean the least modification, only removing the HU and relocating the rear defrost and lighter. The LCD will be recessed a little and tilted back slightly.

Apparently I'm going to have to buy a bezel on ebay, since my local junkyard did not have a single Neon. It's a shame too because if they had it, it would have been only $5.

Any comments?

RedGTiVR6 · 06-09-2006, 10:29 AM

what would you like us to comment about?

do you smoke?

if not, move the cig lighter to the glove box, should relocate nicely, same with the defrost switch and possibly even the factory radio...are you stuck on keeping the factory radio? are you stuck on keeping a hu?

damarble · 06-09-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

what would you like us to comment about?

I dunno, anything. Anything that pops out or comes to mind. I know how to fabricate the dash parts and I know how to build carPC's, so I don't really need help in that department. I guess I was looking for fresh ideas if anything.

Quote:

do you smoke?

if not, move the cig lighter to the glove box, should relocate nicely, same with the defrost switch and possibly even the factory radio...are you stuck on keeping the factory radio? are you stuck on keeping a hu?

No smoking for me. I thing the best place for the cig lighter and defrost switch is in the center console. There's plenty of wide open plasic above the parking brake.

I have been without a head unit in my old car for almost a year and I couldnt imagine going back. (First hardwired MP3 player, then carPC.) FM radio sucks, and the only thing worthwhile on AM is sports and Sirius covers that. Besides, Chrysler's factory HU's suck major arse.

A couple ebay auctions for the bezel are ending today so I should get one of them. Fabrication start late next week then.

RedGTiVR6 · 06-09-2006, 02:43 PM

welp, it sounds like you have it all covered then

damarble · 06-10-2006, 11:06 PM

Radio bezel comes of so easy, just two screws and a few clips. It was easy to run wires too, all the trim pieces pop off, just clips hold them on. I got the power lines run today. I'll run the signal lines probably next weekend, it will only take an hour tops to finish. Then the only thing left will be fabbing brackets to hold the PC itself in the trunk, and fabbing the new bezel for the LCD. It seems like Chrysler wanted me to put a carPC in this thing, every aspect has been so easy so far.

Sorry for the really crappy low res pix. The colors are even distorted.

After pulling the radio and defrost/lighter/cubby thing, the dash is wide open for whatever I want. I could fit a Mac Mini or VIA based PC in there, if I wanted. But I prefer my Celeron M based PC, it's the size of a amp and there is a great place in the trunk for it.

Direct view with LCD in place. Plenty of clearance without any trimming.

View from driving position.

RedGTiVR6 · 06-11-2006, 09:25 AM

some cars lend themselves nicely...

be sure to keep us posted with fabrication pics!

damarble · 06-12-2006, 02:32 PM

I have all my materials ordered now. I got a extra radio bezel, a 12"x12"x1/8" sheet of black ABS, and a black plastic slim DVD drive enclosure.

Since my radio bezel is ABS PC, I'm not sure if the acetone/ABS shavings method will work. So I'm going to look for some of that Dynatron stuff that Turbocad was pimping. Stuff looks great.

RedGTiVR6 · 06-12-2006, 03:34 PM

Plastic weld works amazingly well also.

two part epoxy style in what looks to be injectors...at your local auto parts store.

It's what we have found works incredibly well on just about any material, ESPECIALLY plastics.

damarble · 06-12-2006, 10:28 PM

Go some more stuff.

I got some MEK instead of acetone, it was only $1.50 more and supposed to be better. I'll try it on some of the bezel scraps after it's trimmed up to see if it will melt it. If it does I'll use the ABS sludge for filler. Got a 5'x2" ABS pipe for an ABS source.

And if that fails, I got Loctite plastic epoxy. Anybody see a problem with this stuff? It says it's for ABS and PVC. Says it's not for PE and PP. But that's OK, since I won't be working with any.

BarryWoods · 06-12-2006, 11:50 PM

MEK is some nasty stuff. Be careful with it. It's been banned in the Air Force.

Sidewalksalvage · 06-12-2006, 11:56 PM

WOw love the set up so far, should come out lookin preety nice.

You are doing plastic fabrication rather than fiberglass or else?

what made you choose ABS?

damarble · 06-13-2006, 12:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by BarryWoods

MEK is some nasty stuff. Be careful with it. It's been banned in the Air Force.

No kidding. I popped the top and instantly the smell was sickening, and I was working outside. But it did melt the ABS shaving within a few minutes. I should pick up a respirator.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sidewalksalvage

WOw love the set up so far, should come out lookin preety nice.

You are doing plastic fabrication rather than fiberglass or else?

what made you choose ABS?

Yeah I went with ABS because it's more durable than fiberglass and I hate working with fiberglass. Also, the Xenarc bezel is already ABS, the car's bezel is ABS PC, ABS sheets are cheap. So everything should be pretty compatible.

I've used Bondo on plasic before, and although I haven't had cracks yet, and the job came out really nice, I want this install to be perfect so I'm doing it right, fusing the plastic pieces together as one.

BarryWoods · 06-13-2006, 01:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by damarble

I should pick up a respirator.

Yes you should. I know a guy on permanent disability because of these kind of fumes.

Sidewalksalvage · 06-13-2006, 11:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BarryWoods

Yes you should. I know a guy on permanent disability because of these kind of fumes.

Thats sad. I was in lowes today and saw the MEK stuff. I got sick looking at the warnings

good luck with the install. I understand now why you chose ABS

damarble · 06-15-2006, 09:08 PM

Yay the ABS sheet came today! But still no sign of the bezel. I'm all set to start fabbing this up too. I guess I might cut the abs peices tonight, since my old bezel is the same as the new one....

Oh yeah, I found a respirator at work so now I shouldn't die from the fumes.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password