Attaching monitor cable to dash.

voyager1713 · 06-20-2006, 09:55 PM

Hey all,
I just got a 8" touchscreen LCD that I want to mount on the top of my dash with the included mounting kit. The thing is, I just bought the car ( a 2006 Ford Focus ZX3) brand new last weekend when my Mercury sable decided it didn't like it's transmission any more, and I really dont want to cut any big holes into the dash to hide the video cable. My idea is to run the single cable from the LCD along the outside of the radio/ac control panel to the space under the passenger seat, where the laptop and other components will be. Im looking for any suggestions of a type of glue or silicone <black> that will hold the cable to the dash firmly, but allow me to remove it without hurting the dash if I needed to repair or remove anything. I was thinking Rubber cement, but I am open to any ideas. Pictures will be coming soon to help show what i mean if needed. Thanks.

2k1Toaster · 06-20-2006, 10:08 PM

Hot glue maybe?

What about the stuff on magazines that you can peel off in strips. If you found out what that stuff was and could get a good blob to your dash and the cable, you could just peel it off.

voyager1713 · 06-20-2006, 11:36 PM

Yea, I thought about hot glue, but it has a tendency to turn a frosted color, and also crack and let go of things if exposed to high heat. Living in Florida, the internal temp of the car can get to 140 degrees inside. Ive never heard of that strip thing, but Ill keep an eye out. Any other suggestions are welcomed!

2k1Toaster · 06-20-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by voyager1713

Ive never heard of that strip thing, but Ill keep an eye out.

I'm just talking about the stuff that is easy to peel off, but sticky. When you get one of those stupid free credit card offers in the mail (snail mail, real letter), and the card is stuck to the paper, it is usually this stuff. You can pull up the card, and it looks like a clear strip that you can peel off, and wad it up into a ball, whatever. Like those gooey hands that kids have to throw at ceilings and stuff. Stretchy too. Also the magazines that have a paper cover saying "renew know or die", are usually stuck on with this goo stuff. I have no idea what it is though.

Anyone else know what this stuff is!

Go to Walmart and look at a giftcard. It is on the back of those holding it to the holder, just so you know what it is. Once you see it, you'll know what I mean, and know how hard it is to describe! Good Luck.

2k1Toaster · 06-20-2006, 11:45 PM

Also, since it is a new car, it is probably held together with the plastic connector pins. So can't you try to pop out the bezel (no damage), and then shove the wire inbetween. It will be squished, but as long as you don't puncture it, it should still work. You will have much less to try and hide.

2k1Toaster · 06-20-2006, 11:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Halfbakery.com

silverstormer: That snotty stuff they use on credit-card letters and magazines leaves little residue.

macwarrior: That stuff is great. Like adhesive rubber bands.

swamilad: Also, //that snotty stuff,// isn't that rubber cement?

buddha_pest: I think you'll find the stuff they use on magazine inserts is gow gum (or rubber cement). Stinks of petrol, dries to a rubbery consistency that will peel right off.

I guess it is rubber cement!

voyager1713 · 06-21-2006, 12:00 AM

In that case, I'll just go with the rubber cement. Thanks for all of the help 2K1Toaster, and I realize what your talking about now with the magazines. Again, because the car is so new, Im really not in the mood of riping the dash apart to hide a cable that I can easily mount on the front, least I damage something and have to argue with Ford about wether it voids any of the warrenties.(yes i know my spelling is attrocious!) Yes, it may look tacky, but then again, it might just give it that techno look... Who knows, all I really care about right now is getting the computer into the car and getting it up and running. Later on, I'll change it around, probally with some type of currently "new" technology that has hit the bargin bin. Happens all the time. Again, Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Getzjd · 06-22-2006, 12:48 PM

Why not get industrial velcro? This will also allow you to remove it for security reasons and holds it tight during use

RedGTiVR6 · 06-22-2006, 01:02 PM

I'm confused, so how do you plan on actually mounting the screen to the dash if you don't want to cut in to the dash for the cable?

Wiredwrx · 06-22-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by voyager1713

Hey all,
I just got a 8" touchscreen LCD that I want to mount on the top of my dash with the included mounting kit. The thing is, I just bought the car ( a 2006 Ford Focus ZX3) brand new last weekend when my Mercury sable decided it didn't like it's transmission any more, and I really dont want to cut any big holes into the dash to hide the video cable. My idea is to run the single cable from the LCD along the outside of the radio/ac control panel to the space under the passenger seat, where the laptop and other components will be. Im looking for any suggestions of a type of glue or silicone <black> that will hold the cable to the dash firmly, but allow me to remove it without hurting the dash if I needed to repair or remove anything. I was thinking Rubber cement, but I am open to any ideas. Pictures will be coming soon to help show what i mean if needed. Thanks.

Run it from your screen to the front of the dash, by the windshield. The run it along the base of the windshield (you might be able to push it in there with something DULL, and then run it to the edge of the base of the windshield. Open the door, then run it down into the kick panel between the door jam and the dash. You will have to remove the kick panel, but that shouldn't be too hard. Then, run it along and under the doorsill. When you get next to the seat, run it under there, UNDER the seat track (don't ask how I know that) to your carputer. Yes, you will probably need a VGA extension cable, but it will be mostly hidden, and what isn't will be behind the screen as it duns to the base of the winshield.

Michael

voyager1713 · 06-22-2006, 04:17 PM

I got the monitor onto the dash yesterday. it came with a little swivel base that im using, allowing me to place it on top of the dash next to the instrument pannel. all i needed to do to the dash is screw in four small screws. I also found an extention cable at best buy half off (opened package) and used it to run the cable all the way to the back. turns out i didnt need to glue the extention to the front of the dash, because there was a gap between the steering column area that allowed the cable to be hidden. Ill post a picture of what i did later on tonight or tomorrow. It's not professional looking, but it works for me!

RedGTiVR6 · 06-22-2006, 04:40 PM

WHAT?

so you're more than willing to SCREW into your dash, but you're not willing to put a hole in it to hide your monitor wire?

voyager1713 · 06-22-2006, 07:43 PM

yea, small hole you can fix with a patch kit. big hole you can't without it looking like crap. plus, the monitor wires are hidden now anyways, except for the connector to the lcd screen, so i can unhook it and remove it if need be.

RedGTiVR6 · 06-23-2006, 07:51 AM

what is this patch kit you speak of?

the only one's I've ever seen are a hack job.

it just seems.....strange to me?

voyager1713 · 06-23-2006, 08:01 PM

black epoxy or caulk can fix small screw holes without it looking too bad, but with a big hole, your screwed