2003 Dodge Dakota Club Cab problems

MisterMorse · 03-21-2005, 09:21 AM

Hi. I have been trying to figure out how to proceed with this for almost a week now, but at every turn I get hit with a brick wall. What I wanted to do was install a MacMini and interface it with a touchscreen monitor in the dash. I found a place I can get another dash bezel for fairly cheap because I still want the ability to go back to stock if I decide to sell the truck. I figured I could relocate the heat/AC controls vertically by sacrificing the the air vents to the right of the head unit. That way I could move the head unit into the space below where the switches are and mount the screen where the head unit is supposed to be. I took the dash apart enough last night to see that there is no room behind where the switches are to move the head unit there. That sucks. I am not going to compromise the passenger side airbag so mounting in that location is out. I also decided that I wasn't going to actually cut into the dash itself unless I can purchase a replacement. I haven't had any luck in locating one that wasn't really expensive. So what are my other options?

Visor mounted display. It would work, but it's not really integrated. It's not really what I am looking for.

Over head console? This is possible, but once again not really what I was looking for. Besides that routing all of the needed cables in the headliner may make it bulge. Not too clean of an install. I admit I have no experience with them.

I saw where someone mounted theirs in the console just about under the dash. Now this looked good and was easly accessible. There was just one problem. I have a 5 speed manual and that place is taken up by the shifter. So what can I do? Does anyone have any links to pics of what people have done? I haven't had any luck searching for any. I've been to cardomain and there are tons of Dakotas there, but nothing matching my situation.

Any advice or links would be a big help. Thanks.

LM

Eternalodyssey · 10-15-2006, 10:37 PM

Well, you could consider utilizing a motorized screen, with integrated stereo options. But they are rather expensive and you will sacrifice CD capabilities unless you are incorporating a Rom drive into your system. Perhaps a few pictures of your interior/setup would assist other users on this forum, especially fellow Dakota owners such as myself in offering suggestions. What year is your Dakota? The newer Dakotas don't seem to be as truckputer friendly as thge last generation like I have. You could check my worklog for a few ideas but no matter what, with the stick on the floor you are going to have to make adjustments to the stock setup to apply the computer. Post some pics and ask around, you are bound to find some solutions. Good luck!

PSYKO_Inc · 10-15-2006, 10:54 PM

I have a 97 Chevy S-10 with a manual transmission and I have the same issues. I'm probably going to go with a gooseneck mount for the first phase of the build; going more for functionality than aesthetics at first. For the future, I've considered switching to bucket seats and building a console below/behind the shifter to hold the screen. Another option I've found is the LCD mounts at www.proclipworld.com They make mounts for specific vehicles that are very easy to install and don't require any drilling, etc. which would be good if you are planning to sell the truck in the future.

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