Mounting idea's for a Mazda RX-8???

glxyjones · 06-01-2004, 08:53 AM

Hello all, first post here

I'm interested in putting a carputer into my rx-8 and while I can handle the computer aspects of it, the mounting and display are a problem. My question is do any of you carputer experts have any idea's on where to mount a 7" VGA in this car. The obvious choice would be where the stock radio is, but I don't want to lose the functionality of the red LED. The second obvious choice would be on the top dash. However, there has yet to be a customized dash piece developed to house a 7" screen. I was thinking on mounting a bracket to where the ash tray and cigarette lighter are (at the bottom right below the climate controls). If I could do this I could then get a rotating bracket which would allow me to swing down the screen when I need to adjust the A/C or something. Do you think there's enough room and if so, any good places to look for brackets?

Any idea's would be more than welcome. Thanks a lot in advance

-Greg

EDIT: btw...on top of the dash now is the navigation unit which is optional and I did not get (in hopes of installing a cheaper, and better carputer). Therefore, my top dash piece is completely smooth.

EDIT #2: wow sorry I just realized this should be in a totally different forum...sorry

Administrator: could u please move this to the appropriate forum...sorry again

god_of_cpu · 06-01-2004, 09:44 AM

I have a similar cubby hole in my g35 coupe that normally houses the NAV that I put my own screen in:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/cholbroo/g35/

If that doesn't work for you, I'm sure you can fiberglass something yourself for the top cubby or get it done at a car audio place pretty readily.

Scouse Monkey · 06-01-2004, 10:11 AM

RX8 - drooool - got to order me one of them as soon as i get a job sorted.

I am sure i have seen some people doing car pcs in RX8s, there are definitely some of those new Nissans where people have used the navigation unit housing and put in a new screen. Can you not buy the housing and modfy it for your own screen etc? If they won't sellt he housing then maybe ring Mazda and tell em someone tried to steal your screen and knackered the housing but didnt get it out so you just need the housing.

Aww such a sick car, and it's so inexpensive...got to have one...and got to stop going on about it.

daman10958 · 06-01-2004, 01:42 PM

I was looking to buy an RX-8 and the local dealership said that i could get the housing for the nav system if I bought the car without it and quoted a couple of hunderd dollars for the plastic I think that would be the most professional and best option..

p.s. please post up what it looks like afterwards..

god_of_cpu · 06-01-2004, 02:02 PM

I've seen a bunch of people buy the NAV housing parts for the g35 and install thier own screen in it. The final product looks good, but the problem is the parts cost $700 for the plastic and you still have to bondo and paint it to cover up the button holes that are not used.

Also, at least for my car, some dealerships won't sell you certain parts or put you on a waiting list if you don't give them a valid VIN for a car with NAV in it.

glxyjones · 06-01-2004, 02:36 PM

god_of_cpu,
that's an amazing setup you got there...and a very nice car I might add. If I can get ahold of another dash piece or fiberglass one myself, I will definitely look into doing something similiar. How much work was it to disassemble the 7" touch screen and configure it to fit into there?

Someone modified their piece into something like this:

Which I like but I am not a fan of the motorized head unit...doesn't look factory enough for me. I'd rather have it permanently mounted or do something like god_of_cpu. I also wouldn't want to play around with my original dash piece in case of a foul up, which is likely since this is my first time doing anything like this.

Also, On the rx-8 forum somone shopped for a nav dash piece to put an aftermarket display in and they were quoted $1200!!!! Considering I priced out the entire carputer at ~$750 I can't bring myself to spend that much on a piece of plastic.

Anyone know of a good place to look for brackets?

Scouse Monkey · 06-01-2004, 02:42 PM

Some detailled photos of the factory nav unit might help witht he creative suggestions.

I can't believe Mazda charge so much for the nav housing - bloody stupid, makes me

Scouse Monkey · 06-01-2004, 02:44 PM

Oh yeah, what is that little joystick button thingy behind the gearstick and infront of the window buttons? Is that the stock nav controller? If it is that would make a very cool PC controller. But Mazda will probably charge another $2000 for that as it will have plastic and metal!!!!

Hcomplyr · 06-02-2004, 10:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

Some detailled photos of the factory nav unit might help witht he creative suggestions.

I can't believe Mazda charge so much for the nav housing - bloody stupid, makes me

Well Mazda is owned by ford

glxyjones · 06-03-2004, 08:31 AM

the stock nav controller is underneath the nav screen when open. I don't have the stock nav so where u see the stock cut-out and two buttons to the side of it, I have a smooth dash piece. I'm still thinking how feasible it would be to put a bracket in down where the ash tray/cigarrette lighter is. If I could get a hold of a clasp type bracket I think I could modify it to work with a vga.

If nothing else comes along soon or that idea doesn't pan out, I think I might be going with a similiar setup to the 2nd picture I posted or this:

1DIN Dash

Obviously it's not very factory looking, and on the 8 you have to reach a little, but it would work.

Although that setup would cost ~$800 more for the motorized screen and extra dash piece (which is $400).

Thanks for all your help!!

god_of_cpu · 06-03-2004, 09:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by glxyjones

How much work was it to disassemble the 7" touch screen and configure it to fit into there?

I spent about 3 months just trying to figure out a way to make it work and then all the weekends for a month building it. Taking apart the touchscreen and putting it inside the picture frame was real easy once I found the right frame. The hard part was building the plexiglass mounting tracks which I had to cut 4 times to get it to work just right. I did a complete how-to on how I did it for my car here: http://filebox.vt.edu/users/cholbroo...ousing%203.doc

walk0080 · 06-04-2004, 03:04 PM

This place sells mounting brackets for the RX-8:
proclipusa.com

little pic...
RX-8 center high dash mount...

And maybe use the brackets that come with your LCD, or perhaps use something from here:
rammount.com

Maybe?

I considered this option while debating between purchasing an RX-8 and Infiniti G35 Coupe...

zijester · 06-05-2004, 02:42 AM

This mod is easily done. But to be on the safe side call some junkyards and see if they have that storage compartment cover. Im assuming thats what the area is above the cd player. It shouldnt cost you more than 100 to make it pretty nice.

glxyjones · 06-08-2004, 01:29 PM

thanks walk0080 for the links...some good possibilities in there

zijester,
the "compartment" above isn't for storage, it's a close optional navigation unit. They don't have dash piece with just a compartment. Right now I"m calling some mazda parts retailers to see if they have any stock navigation dash pieces but with the actual navigation unit.