HELP: How to hide the display?

gbiz · 03-24-2005, 06:34 PM

I have been toying with the idea of building a carputer for quite a while, and have many things all set in my mind, including help (I know a lot about computers, he knows a lot about cars and electric wiring)...

But my biggest problem is the display unit. I park my car everyday in Detroit, and there is a high rate of car break-ins around my campus. I have yet to have my broken into, but a nice shiny LCD would sure be tempting.

I need to find a way to mount a LCD into my car, so that it can be hidden. (I drive a Buick Century). Any suggestions? Maybe on the ceiling???

Matthew230 · 03-24-2005, 06:53 PM

A flip down screen isn't really practical for changing music, following sat-nav, being inconspicious to police etc.

There are only really two options. One is to invest in an in-dash screen from digitalww.com Or secondly to manufacture some kind of cover.

I'd go for the in-dash, as it is far easier than the hassle of removing and placing a cover everytime you nip to the shops

scott_fx · 03-24-2005, 07:06 PM

have any pics of your dash or a similar dash so we have a better idea of what we are working with?

lakorai · 03-24-2005, 08:04 PM

Kwame and company is doing really good for Detroit ya know...

Having an orgy pary with city money and strippers at his house and lying to his wife and the city about it (rumor)

getting us into a big defecit (200+ million)

Leasing a Lincoln Navigator for $50,000 for one year from a d-town dealership. Lying that it was his, saying that Ella Bully Cummings (new crabby woman police cheif) had the car, then shouting at local news crews when his lies were exposed.

meanwhile detroit is doing a horrid job with crime in the city. Break ins and car jackings are quite high. I don't even take my prix down to Detroit anymore. I now take my other car (a ghetto red van). I can trust my stuff in Windsor, but not in D-town...

I second the flip screen idea. Either that or place it in the glovebox, or use a gooseneck and remove the screen every time you park.

f*&^ thieves. Get a job rather than steal someones stuff.

-LAKORAI

ysutarko · 03-24-2005, 08:10 PM

which one is better??? Xenarc 700IDT or DWW-700M ?????

thank you kindly

ukchris · 03-24-2005, 08:15 PM

I've been thinking about a similar issues. In another thread somone suggested a magnetic mount. I haven't started or purchased anything yet but my thinking is that I will (eventually) mount some powerful magnets inside the dash and make a piece to match that attached to the monitor. Then strengthen the connection so it doesn't come loose and wire it through a cubby or the glove box. The idea would be that I can pull it off the dash and pack it away and there would not be a single visible mark that it was there. I'm wary of having a big mounting pole sticking out of the dash.

Seems like a good plan, your thoughts?

Chris.

DarquePervert · 03-24-2005, 08:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by lakorai

meanwhile detroit is doing a horrid job with crime in the city. Break ins and car jackings are quite high. I don't even take my prix down to Detroit anymore. I now take my other car (a ghetto red van). I can trust my stuff in Windsor, but not in D-town...

Dude, this isn't new. This is a town that celebrates the day prior to halloween to torching buildings, calling it Devil's Night.

I lived in Detroit some 11 years ago. we were the only white people in the neighborhood, right off Livernois & I-94 (near the Theissen Steel plant) when the cops who beat Malice Green to death were tried.
I remember coming home the night the verdict came down. The bar we worked at closed at 11:30 (unheard of for ANY bar). The street was eerily quiet. Completely empty. It's not that quiet at 3am on a Tuesday morning.
There was a house ablaze on the route home. We were spooked enough to haul *** to the suburbs for the night. It turns out it was a crackhouse, probably torched for insurance, but still... That was the most scared I've ever been in my life.

gbiz · 03-25-2005, 11:40 AM

Okay, ive never taken a picture of my dash, but i google images and found one of a 2005 dash. my car is a 2000, but its a century and its GM = NO CHANGE!

http://images.autobytel.com/view/aic...nctrdash_x.jpg

http://images.autobytel.com/view/aic...passdash_x.jpg

http://images.autobytel.com/view/aic...drvrdash_x.jpg

So, anyone got any other ideas? The in-dash method would be nice, but those manufactured in-dash displays are $$$.

crash · 03-25-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by gbiz

So, anyone got any other ideas? The in-dash method would be nice, but those manufactured in-dash displays are $$$.

You really want to know my opinion?

Move. Detroit is a **** hole.

I just finished reading an article that was in Playboy in August of 04 about Detroit. It's some scary ****.

Run, run like your *** is on fire....

ayclens · 03-25-2005, 08:46 PM

1. Do an in-dash fabrication. Search the "fabrication" forum for ideas. You have a perfect console to put a Xenarc into. You can easily make a cover for it too so that it can't be seen from outside the car. Also, tint your windows. Looks great, and thieves can't see much inside - especially at night.

2. Detroit is dangerous. Move. I work for a security system company and lived there for 4 months. Lots of business!

Mad Ad · 03-26-2005, 08:02 PM

blimey its a bit minimalist isnt it .... cant hide much there. Your best bet imo is make yourself a center console up to house it in, make it look OEM and your sorted, make a mess and itll attract the eye just as bad as leaving it on display.

SinnerG · 03-26-2005, 11:16 PM

Let me guess, Wayne State, right?? It's been 7 years since I left the Detroit suburbs. Can't say i missed too much.

Punisher · 03-27-2005, 03:39 AM

Put it under the console there were that cup holder or ash tray is whatever.. and put it on a hinge so you can aim the screen or fold it back to hide it..