My Tahoe - dash reconstruction 2 screens (pics) (repost for my site)

[meade916]

got alot of stuff that is still currently being used but the buildup has been long forgotten about.....here is a big TTT for my "dash reconstruct" project.  I wanted 2 screens up front so on long trips i can have any combo of navigation, dvd, tv, rear view, ps2, etc going at the same time.  I usually roll with the top deck retracted so theres usually only one showing unless i find myself in a position (like a long drive) where i would want the Navi to stay on the screen uninterupted.

If you notice there WAS a grove that enclosed the whole left and right side of the piece it is all flush now

First i put some cardboard "dams" in after cutting the plastic bar that WAS in the center.

then after ALL the important prepwork (sanding, plastic cleaner, plastic prep, adhesion promoter) it was time to "mud" it in.

cardboard removed now its time to cheese grate, file, sand whatever it takes to get the shape

[meade916]

now its taking form, i broght the top down 1" further than stock.....it had a "channel" now its built up and smooth.

heres the other side, i had to do both or it wouldnt look right.  This is the channel that had to go.

[meade916]

now time for some spot filler

 

 

 

a coat of primer, all i had was some yellowish tan "high build" and it was already 11:00pm.  Good enough for the evening....more the next morning

here is what its taking shape to be.

 

[meade916]

with the top screen down

Ok now its time to sand more, prime, and texture

[meade916]

I believe that will be a wrap for now! The paint i used over the texture is a little glossy for my taste so i can either shine up the rest of the dash with some dressing or repaint this thing a duller color.  When the damn sun comes out again ill see if i want to change it or not.  Gotta get a good look at it in the daylight.

[meade916]

Escalade Cluster and Billet Shifter....

[FieroGrande]

I love the great work man. Maybe some day you can make me some custom kick panels or door panels for midrange bass. LOL

[Ernesto]

Beautiful...You never seem to fail to impress me when it comes to what kind of custom work you can do as far as cars go.

[Ray]

Awesome steve, I put a 13.2" screen in the truck that's in my shop right now...Did you throw the a/c controls up top or in the console?  Let me see..........Does your small screen stay in the car or is it attached to the bezel?How much sub-dash did you cut?Is the stand you had your bezel on custom or what?......... one of a kind..Great work Homie.. as alwaysRay @ ss

[meade916]

thanks Big, ernsto :)Ray, ya that sounds like fun doing a 13.2" in a dash...ya i thru the controls in the center console and i planned on making a trim piece for it.  Ya on your own car its alot easier to just shut the console and call it a day   I really need to get back on that.  It dont look bad in there its wedged in between my changer and actually fits nice, its just not perfect looking yet.  The small screen stays in the car it is attached to the sub dash with a bracket i made.  It attaches to the rear of the monitor and stretches out to the holes that used to hold the a/c controls and is screwed in like that. Turned out pretty solid.  My next step when i get some free time (ya right) is to mold the entire screen in.  Pioneer will sell me just the plastic casing for that screen so i figured i might buy that and mold it right in so its all flush and the buttons are now part of the dash.  Id like to do one big screen but i like my Avic n1 so ill probably keep it like this for a while.  Any deck that doesnt skip at over 156 on the new TL is a keeper. ;DOh i didnt cut too much of the sub-dash.  Maybe a little trim here and there but nothing too major really.