1997 Ford Taurus LX Install, follow along kiddies... - Page 6

BiGGy · 10-16-2007, 10:17 AM

Very nice fab, no bog at all. I like!

monkeyracer · 10-16-2007, 04:51 PM

thanks biggy, my philosophy is that it should be made out of one chemical, not 4 like some people do with bondo, fiberglass, etc... your install is different because the piece is solely fiberglass. i'm so eager to get it done, but patience is a virtue and will lead to much better results.

2k1Toaster · 10-16-2007, 05:58 PM

I really like the way that texture came out. Much better than I originally thought it would. Great work! Good to see someone taking their time with this.

monkeyracer · 10-16-2007, 11:20 PM

I'm glad the texture came out that way too. It seems to do what it says too (bond to the plastic and be chip resistant.)

I've seen way to many bezels and dash pieces rushed and turning out bad, just to be re-done. I'd rather take the time to do it right, than rush it and have to re-do it.

Thanks guys for all the kind words. I'm going to put together something in the fabrication forum about this whole install because some of the methods I'm using can help some newbies out. I still also have to write up the review for the screen... geez, lots of work ahead, but it will be fun!

monkeyracer · 10-17-2007, 02:03 PM

my car (the SHO version) is in gran turismo 4, check out this screen shot:
I just went in to photo mode and set it all up, here's what came out. (using this for my new avatar)

monkeyracer · 10-23-2007, 11:03 AM

Work has been delayed on finishing the bezel and dash piece. While cutting the space for the DVD drive, I cut it a little too big. (is it measure once cut twice or the other way around?

) but since it's ABS plastic, it will be easy to fix. I just have to fill the hole back up, and cut again. I also still need to cut the hole for the defrost switch.

I picked up a Treo sync cradle from work today, and I think I'm going to try and get this molded into the dash possibly, so that I can have a place to hold it and charge it while I drive (oh and sync it too...) It's shaped a little strange, so it won't be as easy as cutting a hole and filling the space. At least it's also ABS so it will bond with everything. I plan on having this phone for a while, and if it breaks I get another one of these. The new centro is out, but it will work in the cradle too. I just hope it works with the clear case I just bought... We'll see.

I need to order a couple sheets of ABS now so that I can try and get this done. I have a few days off next month but that will mostly be taken up with moving, so there may not be progress on this for a while.

monkeyracer · 11-06-2007, 05:40 PM

Ok, I was getting a little annoyed that the stuff didn't sit in the Dell case very well, and the motherboard standoffs were done by an amateur (me) and the plastic outer casing needed to be modified, so I went online and searched for some new cases. I found this one:

GlobalWin YCC-S27

and bought it here for under $30 shipped.

This one already has the mobo standoffs in place, and is ready to go out of the box and is within the budget for this. (Most cases like this, even on ebay, are running at around 50 or more) So it was worth it to not have to finish the dell case.

I plan on painting the front bezel satin black, and instead of installing the floppy disk, I'm putting the second hard drive in that spot. The opus 250 that I'm ordering will replace the sfx 200 that's in it now. The case will go into a locking carpetted cabinet attached to the sub box on drawer slides. To keep symmetry the opposite side of the box will be a storage area for automotive tools like jumper cables, the jack, the lug wrench, etc. The whole cabinet setup is actually pretty cool, I can't wait to implement it. It slides out, then hinges in toward the center of the car, and the top hinges open to access the stuff inside.

I looked at some reviews on this case, and overall they are positive. The main con is that the case is hard to open (at least the test models that the reviewers had) the other con is the noisy PSU fan, which will be replaced anyways...

I'm ordering the PSU very soon too, so as long as I get the dash fab done, I can have this in pretty quick.

monkeyracer · 11-07-2007, 08:26 PM

here's a mockup of the storage boxes, the carpc will be in the left one, the tools on the right (maybe in a custom foam padding...)

The only component left to buy is the Car2PC adapter, which is not absolutely necessary.

I also decided to go with a slot load rather than a tray load drive, it's going to be way easier to fabricate, and looks so much cleaner... Should be here soon. Hopefully everything comes in before my 5 days off coming up!

monkeyracer · 11-10-2007, 12:13 AM

Got the case, steering wheel remote, and slot load drive in today.

The case is well built, and looks to be perfect for what i'll be doing. I may not actually paint it. I haven't decided yet. It has the slot for a normal sized optical drive, so I think I'm just going to use the old one from the desktop. It's also got a little caddy under the drive cages that's made for the hard drive. I'm going to take this out and mount the Opus when that comes in. (uh, ya, where is the Opus anyways? ordered on 11/6, now the 9th and nothing about it being shipped yet, weekend coming, so it may not be here before the END of next week? that's not cool.)
I'm glad it came with a new i/o plate, since the old one had mysteriously disappeared.
I'll post some pics of the case install as soon as it's ready...

The steering wheel remote is sweet, don't have to lift my hand off the wheel to change songs. When the Car2PC-PIO is installed (probable inside the case...) I will be able to control the music from this remote.

The slot load drive was listed as new:
eBay Auction
But when it came in, there was this wierd substance on it. I can't describe it, so I'll post some pics later of it. Maybe someone out there can tell me what it is. Haven't tested it yet, the drive adapter is still at home. With the new bezel for this, I'll be able to finish the flat part of the dash mount. The curved part will be worked on this week, but I'm not confident I can finish it since most of my time is slotted to clean out the old place.

2k1Toaster · 11-10-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by monkeyracer

Ok, I was getting a little annoyed that the stuff didn't sit in the Dell case very well, and the motherboard standoffs were done by an amateur (me) and the plastic outer casing needed to be modified, so I went online and searched for some new cases. I found this one:

GlobalWin YCC-S27

and bought it here for under $30 shipped.

This one already has the mobo standoffs in place, and is ready to go out of the box and is within the budget for this. (Most cases like this, even on ebay, are running at around 50 or more) So it was worth it to not have to finish the dell case.

I plan on painting the front bezel satin black, and instead of installing the floppy disk, I'm putting the second hard drive in that spot. The opus 250 that I'm ordering will replace the sfx 200 that's in it now. The case will go into a locking carpetted cabinet attached to the sub box on drawer slides. To keep symmetry the opposite side of the box will be a storage area for automotive tools like jumper cables, the jack, the lug wrench, etc. The whole cabinet setup is actually pretty cool, I can't wait to implement it. It slides out, then hinges in toward the center of the car, and the top hinges open to access the stuff inside.

I looked at some reviews on this case, and overall they are positive. The main con is that the case is hard to open (at least the test models that the reviewers had) the other con is the noisy PSU fan, which will be replaced anyways...

I'm ordering the PSU very soon too, so as long as I get the dash fab done, I can have this in pretty quick.

That is a pretty slick case. I think it might even pass as a HTPC case. It would look better in my living room than the tower I have now.

and for $20, it is a steal!

monkeyracer · 11-10-2007, 03:11 PM

Ya, it's designed as an HTPC case, and looks more like a component than a PC. When I get the HTPC going, I'm probably going to order a second one for that.

monkeyracer · 11-14-2007, 12:28 PM

got everything installed in the case, and took some pics, which are stored on the dead laptop at the moment, I've got a new adapter coming tomorrow, so pics should be uploaded then. Also, got a whole lot more done on the bezel, but today I plan on making some real progress with the dash piece. Off to go get some more work done!

monkeyracer · 12-14-2007, 10:27 AM

It's been a month now, and no progress yet. The opus was taking too long, so I cancelled the order, since I'd rather use the money for other things right now.

I'm starting to lose interest in this car, quick.
It's been having more issues lately, and I don't think I'd like to keep more than a few more months. It's starting to become true to the name sake; Fix Or Repair Daily. There's something new to fix every time I fix something else.

I'm starting to save up a nice down payment, and after I get my tax refund check, I should have plenty saved. I'm going to really try to get a 98-02 Cadillac Seville STS. It's a much nicer car, and it's a lot better quality too. The Carputer Install will be a little difficult since most other functions of the car are ran through the Radio. It would involve relocating the OEM, and custom fabbing the rest. But, difficult means fun.

I never "loved" this car, it was what fit my credit score at the time, and I needed something. Now my score is a bit better, but still not where I'd like it to be, but I have just that more of a chance to get financed for something nicer, with a lower finance charge.

I'm so close to getting the dash fab done, and have it all in there, but I don't want to do all that, just to tear it down to trade it in.

Keep posted here with what ends up happening.

2k1Toaster · 12-14-2007, 12:22 PM

It is a ford, enough said.

In my opinion though Ford to GM is not too big of a change with the quality-o-meter, but whatever makes you happy.

Let us know what you buy.

volvo9 · 12-25-2007, 09:35 AM

Soooo, that Ranger HVAC piece plugged right into your Taurus?? I'm fabbing up a new dash piece for my 04 Taurus and need soe smaller controlls for the ac and was looking at the older smaller knob setup, I'll have to compare mine to your pictures and see if they're the same, they're pretty much the same car so I hope it works!

Good luck on the car search.

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