archaic0

I just bought a 2004 Eclipse GTS 5 speed and I love it. Of course now comes the part where I move my CarPC into it.

I don't want to have a fabricated in-dash setup where I replace the deck because I need to go into a normal deck via an aux input, and I already have a screen so I don't want to buy a new screen like an in dash flip up. My screen is an 8" 4:3 format screen.

Has anyone done an install of a screen in a third gen eclipse that was non-intrusive? I think I'd be OK with a little bit of farication, but I don't want to tear into my car unless I can buy a duplicate dash so I have an orriginal to revert to.

I was hoping maybe someone had worked in a screen in front of the shifter with a minimal amount of fab work to the bottom console and not had to touch the top center console at all.

(I have been searching this forum as well as club3g and haven't found one that wasn't a fab yet...)

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david69leonard

i have a 2003, i will post some pics of my install tomarrow, maybe it will give you some ideas on what to do. I actually molded my screen into the dash and my PC is directly behind it... Also i moved my deck to where the clock is, i like it there.. for some reason the stock clock doesnt look like it belonged there to begin with anyways.

archaic0

Well on the 04, that clock pod has a compas and temperature in it when the deck is turned off (or always when you use an aftermarket deck) and I really like that.

What I am considering though, is instead of the pocket under the deck that the afternarket kit gives you, to move the HVAC controls up one and then shorten up the console so there is a bigger gap under the controls.

That's a lot of fab though and I'm not sure I want to tear up my car that much...

Darn those passengers... My screen works fine mounted on an arm up from the passenger seat bolt, it just gets in the passenger's way. *smile*

david69leonard

ahh, just take out the passenger seat, prob solved, pls they get more leg room sitting in the back... , i did that when i was reapolstering my seats, it was actually kinda spacious.

archaic0

Here is a concept of an idea I was tossing around. Although I don't even know if moving the HVAC is possible.



(img courtosy of Heptoman)

david69leonard

it is possible but, the only thing that makes it complicated is the fact it has plastic cables attached to it and they can easily be damaged. I have the same sized screen and what i did was cut out the two vents above the HU and fiberglassed the screen from the top of the vents to the bottom of the HU and left the HVAC alone. i installed my PC directly behind the screen in the dash, As soon as i get off work i will post pics.

archaic0

Cool, I'd love to see it.

Part of my restraint is that I really do want to keep a normal deck in control of the audio and just come in via an AUX in.

I'm just not happy with the current state of technology when it comes to satellite radio and terrestrial radio in the PC world so those things I want to remain in the realm of the 'just works' world of normal car stereo decks. Plus we in the computer world all know that things are prone to fail. And when they do, I don't want to be left with nothing in the car waiting for time to fix it.

And the reasons I don't want an DIN sized motorized screen are first of all I already have this screen, and because they stick up in front of things (like the air vents) which isn't all that important, but I want to try to make a setup that doesn't block or impede any normal function of the car.

david69leonard

Pop up screens look like ***** in my opinion, pls anyone can install them, now when it comes to custom installs that look damn near factory, thats what takes a little skill.

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archaic0

That too. I want it to look slick, almost like it came that way.

My problem now though, is that a replacement dash piece from the dealer is $150. ouch.

And I'm not finding them on eBay... any ideas?

david69leonard

i went to a junk yard and found one from an 02 model(same thing) and it only cost me about $15. The only reason i bought it was just in case i ed up the one that came with the car, but there it sits in my closet never used. The only time i think it will come out of my closet is if i decide to sell my car, but that wont happen anytime soon.

if you go to my myspace page and look at my pics, you can see how i installed a 5.6" TS into my dash last year, ive since upgraded to a 8", it makes a huge difference...

http://www.myspace.com/davidleonardsworld

archaic0

Yeah, that's precicely why I want my extra one. For a backup.

Actually, I'll probably use the extra one to hack away at and keep my original one in the closet, but same difference.

I need to shop around and see if I can find one locally. The 2000 - 2005 are all the same, so maybe...

With your screen so far up and away, isn't it a little annoying to have to lean forward and reach for your screen?

archaic0

OK, nm. I just looked at the pics. The screen is down, the deck is up. hmm

I'm not sure how I like that. It's an option though, it seems to work well for you...

2k1Toaster

I can't see the picture, but I think "front console" is the part you need. Maybe IE will show the image but it didn't show in FF. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...=1&catalogid=2

Half the price of the dealer, and could probably find cheaper elsewhere too. I got my replacement dash from eBay. I think it was like $20 + $10s/h. Not bad because it came with all the little knobs and dials too!

eBay is your best bet... Just keep looking for the next week or two. Visit some local junk yards, visit some mitsubishi forums where people are parting out their wrecked car and grab up a dash.

And flip-outs are not very slick at all...

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david69leonard

its actually not a problem, same distance as if the HU was still there. also im 6'3" so i dont think i would have a problem anyways, however my fiance is 5'6" and she doesnt either, i think its pretty much in the perfect spot. The only thing is my HU being located where the clock is supposed to be, its kinda out of reach but i have the remote so i never reach for it anyways...


Thats a purty nifty site, i can use that myself!!!


It looks alot better now that i have a bigger screen, i will also take pictures of the PC behind it tonight, maybe give you more ideas on where to place it.

archaic0

2k1Toaster: I've been to that trade motion site before as well and the pictures never have worked for me either. I think their site is broken.

david69leonard: Yeah, I corrected myself. The screen is easy, the deck is a little weird. I have a remote as well, but my steering wheel controls will be working when I'm done anyway, so I won't even need the remote really.

Maybe that might work. I really like the compass and temp though...

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