2004 Ford Ranger

**Rocky388** · 11-12-2005, 05:06 AM

Some progress updates:

Whats finished:
Inverter mounted and wired
Fiberglass pieces painted
Computer assembled, and ready to go
LCD screen installed

What needs to be done:
Put computer in
Mount powersupply
Wire everything
Make braket for new headunit and DVD drive
Install headunit with DVD drive below it (into double DIN space)
Make bezel for H/U and DVD

What's next:
Overhead console with character display, that shows track titles and other various info. Also, a glasses holder (i usually put them on the arm rest/seat....and they end up getting sat on, or falling onto the floor)

1 10" sub with custom fiberglass enclosure. I'm going to take out 1 of the rear jumper seats, and put the sub there. I want the sub to take up no more space then what the jumper seat did folded up.

**Rocky388** · 11-12-2005, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by lostreception

rocky whn u hook it up again let me know how the viewing angle is from side to side after its flipped vertically specs say 50 degrees vertical viewing angle. and it says it has a 110vac power supply are you gonna be using an inverter im assuming?

I'm not too sure if you're even interested anymore, but I still haven't tested out the monitor vertically. I'm hoping that viewing angle isn't going to be a problem...especially after making the fiberglass pieces for the sides.

**Rocky388** · 11-16-2005, 10:36 PM

Update:

I decided to re-make the piceces that go around the monitor. This time, i'm also making a screen bezel for it. I'm making the whole thing out of plexiglass. I didn't think it was such a pain in the the *** to cut... I'm not too sure if it's going to come out the way i'm hoping..but it should still look better than the fiberglass pieces i made.

Aside from using a sharp blade to score the plexiglass, and then breaking it, is there any way to get a nice clean, straight cut? I need to cut a 14" square into the plexiglass for the monitor bezel, but i want the cut to be real straight (obviously). My dremel skills are good, but not that great. Could i set up a piece of angle iron and use a fine blade jigsaw?

**seanshine** · 11-16-2005, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Rocky388

Update:

I decided to re-make the piceces that go around the monitor. This time, i'm also making a screen bezel for it. I'm making the whole thing out of plexiglass. I didn't think it was such a pain in the the *** to cut... I'm not too sure if it's going to come out the way i'm hoping..but it should still look better than the fiberglass pieces i made.

Aside from using a sharp blade to score the plexiglass, and then breaking it, is there any way to get a nice clean, straight cut? I need to cut a 14" square into the plexiglass for the monitor bezel, but i want the cut to be real straight (obviously). My dremel skills are good, but not that great. Could i set up a piece of angle iron and use a fine blade jigsaw?

Do you have a local plastic shop? I know the one close to where I live has a shop that will cut plexi in any shape you want.I'm not sure what tools they use to do it,but I've had 'em cut a few different peices on a few projects for me,and it's worth the cost.

**blacklancer** · 11-17-2005, 12:12 PM

looks good so far. i think the screen turned sideways might be pretty cool when its all finished.

**Rocky388** · 11-17-2005, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by seanshine

Do you have a local plastic shop? I know the one close to where I live has a shop that will cut plexi in any shape you want.I'm not sure what tools they use to do it,but I've had 'em cut a few different peices on a few projects for me,and it's worth the cost.

Thanks for the reply. I ended up just gluing it up the way i had it (without making the cut i was talking about in my previous post). And after letting is sit for around 15 hours, i took the clamps off and discovered that it's too flimsy to really work the way i want it.

Being that i'd rather not fiberglass again, i think im gunna make it out of sheet metal this weekend. I have the plexiglass pieces i can use as a template, and the metal will be hell of a lot stronger then plexiglass glued together.

**Rocky388** · 11-17-2005, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by blacklancer

looks good so far. i think the screen turned sideways might be pretty cool when its all finished.

Thanks. I'm hoping it'll come out pretty good, even though some of the pieces didn't come out to plan. Though, this new piece that i'm going to make for the screen should clean it up and make it look alot nicer than what it does with the fiberglass side pieces. Once i finish it up, i'll post pictures comparing the two.

**Rocky388** · 11-24-2005, 03:33 AM

Update:

I welded up a quick mount for the powersupply (the welds came out terrible, but it's plenty strong)

After glueing up one side of the plexiglass, and realising how flimsy it is, i decided to ditch the plexiglass idea. I decided to use aluminum instead. I plasma cut it roughly, grinded it, and filed it to fit. It still needs some minor filing, but i think it came out real nice. Plus it's a hell of a lot stronger than plexiglass.

With the results i got from that, i'm considering re-making the back fiberglass piece that goes around the computer out of aluminum (which i'm also not happy with - it's uneven and doesnt fit the way i would like). It'll put my welding skills to the test

I'll post some pics up tomorrow.

**Rocky388** · 11-24-2005, 05:39 PM

Today i decided to just glue the plexiglass piece to the case lid (behind the flames)

Heres the finished computer (and my spyderfly

):

I'm pretty happy with the way it came out. Now i just might add a few lights behind there to show it off occasionally.

**Rocky388** · 12-31-2005, 01:05 AM

It only took a month..but here's an update of the aluminum pieces.

The aluminum trim piece for the computer isn't completly finished yet, the front sides need to be welded on, but other then that fabrication is pretty much done for both the screen and computer piece. They came out alot better then the fiberglass pieces.

Heres some shots of the monitor enclosure: