[iCarusxB]

Since I joined a month back and can't actually post my own threads yet, I'll just chatter here. I'll expand these to DIY if it seems like they're worthwhile and anyone's interested ...

I got a 15" LCD for $20 from a girl on CraigsList and brought it home this morning. It retailed $300 with rebates, back in 2002. It's old, it's a bit washed out, it's not fancy by today's standards, but it'll rock the socks off any 7" tv screen.

First I tested VGA input, and then I immediately tore into the plastic, unscrewed the casing, and collected all the fun bits. I double-checked the display to make sure it could still turn on and properly show input by wiring it all back together on the table, running it up with my laptop.

I took measurements of the components and measured the cubby space above the glove box in my xB. It couldn't fit *in* the glove compartment as it isn't deep enough so I couldn't device some sort of vertical rail that locked when extended.

I ordered a VESA mount off MonoPrice (the $10 one, not linking as I don't know the rules about that yet) and it should be here on Tuesday. The display itself isn't VESA compliant and I plan on adhering it with magnets (yep! Magnets!) since the screen and components only weigh about 3 lbs and a half dozen "rare earth magnets" can suspend 20 lbs.

End result is I'll have a display that pivots vertical and horizontal *juuuust enough* and will take a VGA input.

But that's not good enough.

I also ordered a VGA switch as well, for shifting between two VGA sources to the one display. The second VGA source will be an RCA Component Video (+ S Video) converter that adapts and scales output to VGA devices. Also got a bunch of cables, and total purchase was about $80. that's four times the amount of money I spent on the LCD alone. :-)

I plan on having a big, old but thin LCD that I can plug in a GPS, or a media player, or even a laptop (on the VGA port) if I so choose. Put the passenger seat down and kid can watch cartoons. Tilt display towards driver seat and I'll have inconveniently-placed-but-still-outrageously-friggin'-huge Nav support.

Long-term, I have ambitions of integrating an ODB-II interpreter that logs the data and feeds it to a CarPC. I have musings of rear-view and possibly front-facing Dash Cam's with video capture ability. Ultimately, I plan on loading some aftermarket additions on my iPhone and using the TV-Out functions across all the apps, while running to external display conveniently out-of-the-way. All of this costs money and time, but for starters I can have my 15" screen done for just over $100.

So much for those 7" deals strapped to a headrest, eh?

[iCarusxB]

Thus far into the project, bought three 15" LCD's for $20 apiece, and only one survived. I was able to take two seperate cig lighter adapters for power at different voltage levels, and solder them into the unit.

Next, I followed the DIY guides here to tear into the dash, and drilled into the gap above the glove-box from above. I seated the mount a little too far to the right though, and the power adapter I built couldn't handle the power on the 1V adapted line, so I'll have to fix those things.

I'll def have to write up a DIY for this once I'm allowed to actually post ...

[ketchup_xb]

nice write up. i def want to see the pics of your mod. good deals on stuffs as well. you got the gist of modding smart. you dont have spend hella moneys on mods.

[iCarusxB]

Thanks, Ketchip_XB!

It does add up, though. The materials are surprisingly more expensive than the core "parts" I look to add-in. Which, ironically, belong in computers more than cars.

The Walgreens Picture Frames are about $11 apiece. The Jensen adjustable cig lighter power adapter (which I gutted) was $16. (I needed one adapter for 12v power and one for 5v power. I found the 5v adapter for $.99 but it cooked the capacitor while under load. I'm currently researching whether I can pair two of 'em to shoulder the current or if I need to actually buy more than a $.99 part for this task ;-))

I will keep taking pictures, and I look forward to being able to publish more freely here. I depended on other forum articles to get as far as I have (namely VENT LIGHT DIY from 07, which I'm not yet allowed to link). This entry was CRUCIAL or I would have likely injured myself.

Wrestling with the airbag control for 10 minutes was frustrating. When my girl reached over and unclipped it with ease, it was downright humiliating.

[ketchup_xb]

but hey, girls are there to help too. i got my gf into modding, even though she has a tc ::rolls eyes:: jk. they have use wif their lil hands for them hard to reach places. hahaha.

[PONGsXB]

little hands FTMFW!! hehe girls gotta be good for something else besides making sandwiches..lol...jkjk..but yeah welcome to the xB community..these guys are cool cats yo....and sorry for the chauvinistic remark...I was only kidding.

[ketchup_xb]

hahaha sammichez! my gf cuts mine into trianglez and no crust. i kid i kid.

[PONGsXB]

crusts are ewwww.....PB&J ftmfw....of course gotta have milk with it...haha.

[Milk]

Originally Posted by PONGsXB

crusts are ewwww.....PB&J ftmfw....of course gotta have milk with it...haha.

damn straight.


lol welcome btw!! i just joined and these guys are friggin amazing..lemme tell you. get ready to know what broke feels like!

(p.s. i see that many peep's counterparts have TCs, ha- mine toes too!. hehe)

[ketchup_xb]

not as cool as xbs but def hella faster. i want one. LOL.