2003 Audi A4 Worklog ~ Puff's Ride - Page 3

ODYSSEY · 06-08-2006, 03:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Puffanug

My glove box is connected to my AC i think. I am planning on making an aluminum mount for the Pandora to raise it a little so the intake vents have room. Also, I will need to cut out a large portion of the back of the glove box out to make room for the PC, so maybe I should make that opening as big as possible to allow air from the back export vent to escape. Any other ideas how to keep it cool in the glove box?

What about when you run the heat?

Puffanug · 06-08-2006, 12:08 PM

I live in San Diego fellas... my climate control is set to 72-74 year round

Heater should not be an issue. I was thinking of cutting two fan holes in the bottom of the glove box to circulate air. They would be out of sight when the glove box is closed. I figure two small case fans (one intake, one outake) would give it plenty of air.

How would I wire up the two fans? I would want them on only when the computer is on. I was thinking I could use a fan speed controller to keep the noise level down...

Puffanug · 06-09-2006, 01:07 AM

Update:

I found a cool local car audio store that had the Metra 99-9102 kit. I stopped by Pep Boys and got some fiberglass matting, fiberglass resin & hardener, bondo, and sanding blocks. The guy at the car audio shop said they have been asked about doing car computer installs, but they stay away from it since they are so buggy and un-userfriendly. He said they would be willing to help with any install type stuff, so that is reassuring.

This weekend I should have time to get a lot of work done on the LCD fabrication. Pics of the raw materials and progress will be coming soon. I did a little test fit, and without the buttons... it fits almost perfect. I think I will actually return the fiberglass stuff and get some epoxy. The amount of space I need to fill is very small, like under a half inch or so.

So, any last moment tips on using epoxy to bind a Lilliput 629 front bezel to dash kit? Speak now or forever hold your peace...

Scouse Monkey · 06-09-2006, 05:15 AM

+1

anky1 · 06-09-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

+1

Agreed!

looks good by the way!

Puffanug · 06-10-2006, 12:02 AM

Update:

OK, I started working on the LCD bezel and mount. Turned out good so far. I have cut the bezel to fit the double din kit. Now I need to attach the LCD bezel to the kit and smooth it all out.

This is where I need some advice... My plan is to use some small fiberglass strips around the lcd bezel on the front. Then also fiberglass where I can on the back to hold the lcd bezel in place. Then sand the fiberglass on the front down some, apply bondo filler, sand, fill, sand, primer, sand, etc.

Am I missing anything? I don't think I want the back of the lcd housing to be in the final install. It seems easier to fabricate the lcd thing without having to plan for the back piece to fit back on. This is OK, right? To leave the back off the lcd housing? How many layers of fiberglass matting do I use? I think only 1 or 2 would work or else it may get too thick.

Would some epoxy around the back part be enough to hold it in so the bondo in the front won't crack? It looks like any fiberglass on the front may be too much, and same with the back. It is in there tight, so I am thinking maybe I could just use some type of epoxy to hold it. Possible?

I have some time this weekend to work on it, so keep checking back for updates. Tomorrow, get it finished to the primer level...

Pics:

Here is the double din kit from Metra (99-9102)

And the back of it...

Here is the lcd bezel cut and fit into the kit...

And the back of it...

Back, side view...

Another back side view...

And another back side view...

Front side view...

Another front side view...

And another front close up...

As always, thanks for looking and replying...

Quattro · 06-10-2006, 12:06 AM

looks good!!

So what are you waiting for, bondo that **** up.

Man you have it easy compared to mine. Your's will be recessed a little by using the kit, but I have to recess mine by myself and I didn't have any kit.

Puffanug · 06-10-2006, 12:12 AM

What can I use other than fiberglass to hold the lcd bezel in place. Bondo will crack if nothing is there like epoxy to support it, right? I think some of that epoxy that comes in the 2 syringes would work, then bondo the front. What do you all think?

Keep in mind I have never worked with epoxy, bondo, or fiberglass. My lack of experience means I am not sure what products to use, or how much to use. I am figuring it out though, and thanks to all that reply with help...

@Quattro - You had it tougher, but yours looks sweet! Plus you have more room to work with, molding in an optical drive... you sly bastard.... LOL

Quattro · 06-10-2006, 12:26 AM

for mine I used fiberglass reinforced bondo to put it together and then used bondo on top of that. But it'll be better if you go the epoxy route. Also there a huge thread on solvent based method, read that it'll be of great help, porbably the best way of doing it.

ODYSSEY · 06-10-2006, 12:36 AM

Looking good.

Puffanug · 06-10-2006, 01:31 AM

OK, I did some reading on the ABS solvent method. It is the best for me. I found this thread regarding ABS cement, and it will be perfect I think. I'll pick some up tomorrow and post some results...

EDIT: I just realized that thread I linked to is over a year old! LOL, still good info, but now I wonder why more people don't do it this way...

Scouse Monkey · 06-10-2006, 04:42 AM

good work

+1

Puffanug · 06-10-2006, 08:38 PM

Update:

I did the first trial of abs cement today. Just finished it, so it is drying and we'll see how it worked. I had almost no gap between the lcd bezel and the double din kit, so it probably didn't soak through. I will do the front once the back is dry. Here are some pics of the back sealed with abs cement...

EDIT: I pulled off the masking tape from the front. The lcd bezel seems to be welded in firm, after it cures completely. I will add a little more abs cement to the front, but the stuff applied from the back seeped into the cracks fine. In hindsight, I should have made the gap a little bigger between the lcd bezel and the double din kit, then the abs cement would fill better. This will be fine though too...

ODYSSEY · 06-11-2006, 02:26 AM

Looking Good.

Puffanug · 06-11-2006, 01:34 PM

Update:

The abs cement dried very nicely on the backside. I did the front today. When it dries I will sand it all down and start the bondo. Here are some updated pics...

The back dry...

Another of the back dry...

The front before pics...

And the front wet pics...