Well I was a little scared about this project as I had never cut into my dash before and knew there was no turning back once the Dremel started cutting...
But I've got to say this project turned out 95% perfect! I need to make a few minor adjustments next weekend and it's done.
For being the first time I have ever attempted something like this, I am very surprised by the result - many thanks to the JBO community for advising me on this and inspiring the will to try custom things...
Pics may take a min to load...there are 7 of them.
First thing I had to do was create a template for the Sirius StarMate face to fit into snugly. Secondly, I needed to create a carbon fiber bezel to create a nice place in the dash that tied in with the rest of my interior.
Once I had created the shape needed for the CF portion, I used double-sided 3M tape to apply it on the dash, making sure it was nice and straight with the glovebox/dash line.
I then traced around the whole shape with an Exacto, pressing firmly through the 1/8" thick vinyl dash padding and into the plastic beneath.
Once the trace was done, I peeled the 1/8" vinyl layer out and sanded the rough spots with the Dremel. Then I took a black magic marker and ran it along the newly-created edge so it would blend in with the CF. I also had to trim aboout 1/16" more away from the inlaid area to ensure proper fit of the CF bezel. After test-laying the bezel into the 1/8" deep hole, I set it aside.
Next I had to cut a nice rectangle in the black hard plastic for the back of the radio to fit through. No major issues there, although there are a few plastic "ribs" that had to be trimmed up a little.
I applied new 3M tape to the back of the carbon fiber bezel and laid it into the inlay. So far, it sticks really well but I may JB Weld it in the future. AFter that was pressed down, I pushed the StarMate face through it from the back. I needed to do a little sanding to get the StarMate to fit in good without bending the CF in any way.
The beauty of this project is that the grey padding behind the dash is VERY sticky. I tucked the back of the StarMate into the padding, which helps hold the whole thing together and also sticks to the air duct directly behind the radio. It's nicely tucked in there and does not try to push into the dash when you hit the buttoms.
Now all I have to do is hardwire the power to it and run the antenna wire under my console from the rear deck, and its done. You can see a few minor flaws but I'll handle those with a little sanding one day when I'm bored. The Starmate is pretty much flush with the CF - to me it looks almost stock.
Pics are below - let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Steve
I want one
if it ain't broke...MAKE IT GO FASTER
looks good.
Hedly Lemar-"What are your qualifications?" Outlaw-"Rape, murder aresen and Rape" Hedly Lemar-"You said rape twice" Outlaw-"I like rape"
From Blazing Saddles
ahh i love it, nice job man.
freakin sweet,looks like it should be there
That looks really good!! It looks like it is supposed to be there!! GREAT work!
dam that looks pretty freakin sweet
Wow! Awesome job. Looks stock. I love it!
not sure about the placement choice, but regardless, looks awesome. nice work
RIP Kasey Burleson, and get well soon Chris Shelly
that looks really good but its gotta suck to change it and read the thing
Thanks for all of the positive feedback.
You can actually read it and uset he buttons pretty well from the driver seat. Its just a matter of getting my station presets memorized. Thing is, I'm really only gonna use it as a back-up satellite radio since I already have XM in my HU. I plan to use it to listen to Howard on my way to work, and then switch from the XM 80's channel to the Sirius 80's channel when I see a better choice displayed. As you can tell, I pretty much only listen to 80's music...
I'll post more pics after a couple adjustments this weekend when I take it apart to hook the thing directly to my HU (no static).
Steve
looks hawt but, is there a remote? i wouldn't like leaning over to change channels, even with presets
the placement could be a PITA. but great job putting it in.
maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow....... but some day
Yep, got the remote action going on. Thing is, this box will ALWAYS be on the 80's channel unless I'm listening to Stern. So all I gotta do is look to see if I like the song being displayed (always on) and then hit a button on my HU to switch to Sirius.
There really wasn't anywhere else to put it. would not fit in headliner or under the HVAC and it looked good in the console under the armrest, but you really could not see it at all in there...
I'm starting to get quite a collection of remotes...now I gotta find a nice way to have them around...
weres the auto universal remote, when u need one.
That sh*t is hottttttt! i like it. Very smooth!
Big Boi -Coloradojbody.org- wrote:weres the auto universal remote, when u need one.
LOL
gotta have the big 1 with lots a buttons
Cool thing is that now that I'm not afraid to cut into the dash anymore, I have a couple other projects in mind (not that I'm planning to over do it)
Hmmm, it seems pretty well attached to the plastic below...
If it starts that crap, I'll deal with it accordingly.
Be carefull... the weight from the Sirius units can damage the dashboard! also, they heat up so much, better keep a fire extinguisher up in there!!!
[/sirius bashing]
Naw, but nice install man. Can't do that with my Tao.
