Added monitor to '03 Sierra Denali

rgardjr · December 2, 2003

I got my monitor installed last weekend for a carputer project I'm working on. I had to relocate the factory cd changer to the glove box to mount the screen where it's at. Right now I have my stand alone dvd player hooked up to it and it the picture quality is great. The photo doesn't do any justice to the quality of the display of this monitor. Here are some photos:

Josh · December 3, 2003

Nice!

chevy4x4trucks · December 4, 2003

Looks good, did you do that yourself? I want to mount a 7" widescreen in the same spot on my truck, but I'm not sure I could do the dash molding.

rgardjr · December 5, 2003

Looks good, did you do that yourself? I want to mount a 7" widescreen in the same spot on my truck, but I'm not sure I could do the dash molding.

I did the install myself. I was pretty easy fabrication for the molding piece. I had to take off the existing piece of plastic molding off the front of the main piece. I made a new piece out of 1/4" mdf-I bought it at Home Depot-available in 2'X2' pieces labeled "hardboard". The stuff came with a smooth white side and a wood side. I used a table saw to cut the board to size. I used a scroll saw to cut the window out of the middle where the monitor is mounted. It took some sanding to get the opening just right-it's just a friction fit that holds the monitor in place. Used a router to round everything over. I used too many coats of spray paint-which ended up in some small dings in the finished product from clamps. After that I cut the main piece up so the monitor would fit through it and then I glued the trim piece I made to the main piece. Pretty simple install. Paint could have turned out better, but you live an learn. Overall it was a pretty easy install. Could have been even simplier if I would have seen that PAC made a cable to relocate my changer instead of butt splicing wires to do it myself. Good luck with your project

chevy4x4trucks · December 6, 2003

so what are you plans for the computer? I'm contemplating building a computer into my console or building a small shuttle and just moving it in and out as needed. I'm still not sure how I want to go about it. I wish I had an 03 w/ that style console so it would be easier to make a piece to fit the center console.

I couldn't even tell that was MDF, I thought you custom molded some plastic, you did an excellent job

rgardjr · December 6, 2003

so what are you plans for the computer? I'm contemplating building a computer into my console or building a small shuttle and just moving it in and out as needed. I'm still not sure how I want to go about it. I wish I had an 03 w/ that style console so it would be easier to make a piece to fit the center console.

I couldn't even tell that was MDF, I thought you custom molded some plastic, you did an excellent job

I've got the computer built. I just have to find some time to get it in the truck. The biggest part of the job is taking out the driver seat so I can run wires. I'm using an EPIA M10000 motherboard in a Morex Cubid 3677 case. The computer will be portable. I'm planning on hanging it from the back side of the center console. The MDF is great to work with. It takes an edge from a router great and takes paint very well. The '03 console is nice because you don't have to worry about the computer display (there's just an empty pocket now). Good luck with your project let me know if you have any more questions.

Taaaaaaahoe? · December 11, 2003

d**n that looks SWEET!! THATS EXACTALY what I want to do for a car puter in my tahoe! Run a GPS program on it. Wonder if it would be as easy to make that deal for the 2001 style area there. Its a bit different! Want to make me one ;) ....Ill pay ya!

Mike

rgardjr · December 23, 2003

Well I got the computer in and I been playing around with it since yesterday. It's pretty cool to have the GPS/Navigation. I'm going to load 10 GB of MP3s on it and then I'll really beable to test it out. Some really cool stuff over at: MP3 Car.Com I still have put the center console back together completely. Just want to work out any bugs before I do. I'll put some pictures up when I get everything back together.