Fabricated Parts
Once I started trying to figure out how to fit a compute in my car it became apparent that I would not be able to do it with the existing plastic dash pieces, I would have to make new pieces. Although I like wood-working, that just was not appropriate for the car. I decided on fiberglass as the material of choice. Previously I had made a subwoofer box out of fiberglass. Although it turned out horrible and ended up in the trash, I felt I knew enough about fiberglass to make some for the car.
After completing most of the parts that I wanted to make, I am very happy with the finished product. It took much longer than I expected but it also turned out worlds better than I had hoped. Enough of my rambling on and on. Here are some pictures:
I needed a piece that would surround the touch screen and provide a space for the relocated stereo. I started with the exisiting dash piece below as a form. Originally the air conditioning controls were on top, and the stereo was below it. My idea was to put the screen where the air conditioning controls and stereo were. The stereo would move down to where the wooden piece is in the picture. The air conditioning controls would move down even further. More on that later.
I did not do a good job of capturing photos during the fabrication process. Oh well, here is the finished product
Now that I had a place for the screen and stereo, I need some place to put the airconditioning controlls. I decided that I could do with out cupholders in my car. That area was redone to include the controlls.
Here is a picture of the fabric being stretched for the air conditioning surround.
Here is a picture of the piece just before painting. Its hard to believe but its really very smooth.
Here is a picture that shows how I planned to attach the new fiberglass piece to the existing dash piece.
The painted piece
And finally a picture of the fiberglass piece attached to the original plastic dash piece
I still have some fabrication work to do in the glovebox where the actuall PC is stored. Look out for more updates later.
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