Custom dash setup, what's everyone think?

[300TouringNproud]

So it's a pretty crappy Photochop but this is what I've been thinking of doing for my nav. I've wanted the nav from the start, but wasn't too fond of Chrysler's OE system. There are some cool double din's out there but that would mean loosing the 6-disc and Sirius that i already have installed. And now w/ kmoney posting that sweet input hack for the Sirius module I can listen to my iPod w/ the stock setup. So, that left me thinking that I should use the single din that's left over (the crap holder just above the ash tray) to house a motorized LCD that's dedicated only to Nav. Well the position way down there by the shift knob just wouldn't work, so I'm going to talk to a custom shop somewhere around here to do an install with a custom dash. I think it'd work out pretty nicely, especially since I could put the LCD away when I didn't need the nav.

Oh yeah, and I think i'd be able to hook up just the center speaker in the dash to the LCD which would both seperate the sound for a better experience like a lot of people are talking about and allow for a speaker for the nav voice prompts...

Anyway, I just wanted to see what you all thought of the idea and maybe if anyone out there had a similar setup and what they thought of it.

Thanks.

[Redman]

Your photoshop looks fine, but I'm wondering just how much electrical "re-adjusting" you'll have to do behind the scenes. "Lowering" all those controls may necessitate different (custom?) brackets, etc. My advice is to take off the bezel and give the situation underneath a good looking over before you make any purchases to see whether you can actually make it all happen. Good luck!

[joey]

Turbohips took this pic at the So Cal Gathering - see this thread.
SoCal Gathering - Huge Success!!
So some kind of mod in this area looks doable

[rogue]

I think flip ups look out of place in 300c. Any time a flip up blocks AC vents it looks "awkward" to say the least.

Have you considered going with a Double Din unit like the Eclipse AVN2454 or the Kenwood DD7015? They are both due with new double din units out this year. You would retain that OEM look.

The Kenwood supports sirius and has AUX input. All you would need is a Sirius antenna adapter I believe. You would lose your steering controls until something is released.

[Simon Templar]

Originally Posted by rogue

I think flip ups look out of place in 300c. Any time a flip up blocks AC vents it looks "awkward" to say the least.

I have seen a great number of flip-up installations and, to be quite honest, all of them look awkward.

It is an interesting gizmo on it's own. But, no matter what one does, in practical applications it always looks like an eleventh hour afterthought.


....sT

[rogue]

Not to mention the mechanisms that allow that neat "flipping up" are one extra thing to break.... I also believe they attract thieves more so than an OEM looking double din unit.

[300TouringNproud]

Originally Posted by rogue

Have you considered going with a Double Din unit like the Eclipse AVN2454 or the Kenwood DD7015? They are both due with new double din units out this year. You would retain that OEM look.

The Kenwood supports sirius and has AUX input. All you would need is a Sirius antenna adapter I believe. You would lose your steering controls until something is released.

I've looked at both, but my deal with those is that I'd have to re-purchase the Sirius modules and subscription and would have to deal with trying to sell the OEM changer and OEM Sirius module. I would do that if I could get a decent price (the module has a lifetime subscription) but I don't think that would happen given the poor aftermarket of the Nav units.

Also, don't you guys think that a double din where a double and a half is supposed to be would look small and out of place?

Oh, and I don't have the steering wheel controls, but if anyone is not doing aftermarket for that reason you should check out this: http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-...00.html?page=8

[Simon Templar]

Originally Posted by 300TouringNproud

I've looked at both, but my deal with those is that I'd have to re-purchase the Sirius modules and subscription.......

Would you? I wonder. I suspect if you spoke to Sirius and explained the situation, they might transfer the balance of your present subscription to your new installation hardware. It is only good business sense to do so.

That is unless you are still using the first free year that came with the OEM unit and therefore don't really have a subscripiton per se as yet.


....sT

[300TouringNproud]

Originally Posted by Simon Templar

That is unless you are still using the first free year that came with the OEM unit and therefore don't really have a subscripiton per se as yet.

First year free?! When did they start doing that?!! I never heard anything about that!! Son of a!$&#*@(

I got the one-time fee, lifetime subscription which can be transfered owner to owner w/ the unit, but I've never looked to see if it can be transfered from unit to unit. I have a feeling that's one of the caveates of buying the lifetime sub..

[wesexcellence]

You will have ample room in the dash...see pics. But you will have a pretty tough custom job including glass work as well as texture and dyeing. It may be worth it, but I can tell you it's a tough one.