So this is my spring break project. I’m removing the two center heating vents and installing a gps and scan gauge II in their place. If you have any comments or concerns please let me know before I start cutting the plastic sheets.
I purchased a usb charger for the GPS so that I can use the USB cord to update the maps and other stuff on it via my laptop.
The only problem I’ve run into was that the gps has a push button on/off swith on top. I’m going to solder in a momentarty switch to the panel to turn it on and off.
I’m also upgrading the speaker. I’m not sure if it will be in the dash(in view), or under the dash panel somewhere.
Assuming that the plastic comes in this week I’m going to finish this little project next week.
Scoring the ABS with a good utility knife, I’ve found, is the best way to cut it. If you use a dremel it will mostly melt it’s way through and then your left with a real rough edge.
It would fry the GPS if I just hard wired the switch to ignition. It requires a momentary completed circuit. I’m sure there are ways to do it, but this is how I feel I can safely do it. Any ideas how to run it via ignition?I hadn’t planned on hard wiring the unit to power because I need to be able to update via the Usb/power wire. I could hard wire into the battery wires but this way is much easier and the location of my auxillery power is way under the dash(out of plain sight)
the amount of plastic between the antenna and sky will be thinner than that of the gps shell. I’ve already tested the unit as far under the dash as possible, and have seen this exact unit installed in dashes. If worst comes to worse i’ll run the antenna to the top of the dash but that shouldn’t be necessary.
I thought of a band saw, but I need to cut rectangular interior holes.
I’m going to glue the components in. I considered plastic welding in the scangauge, but the right glue should do the job. The gps has a metal frame that has tabs to keep it from popping out into the cab, I’m going to modify the shell to use to keep everything in
yeah, I just got it today. It was exactly what I was looking for and comes with score lines on the back, that appear to match perfectly to my desired cuts.
Every time the unit turns off it requires the button to be pressed. The unit will always already have power, but still requires to be powered up via the momentary switch. unless you know a way to bypass the switch. I’ve searched the internet and thats the only way I’ve seen to power these units up
