Well I cut up the dash and reconfigured it to add an MP3/GPS system the Lowrance iway. I love it!

Check out my gallery!

 

The photos don't do it justice and show strange marks etc that really aren't there, its pretty clean, the dash rubber gray is rubbing off in areas and that paint is on order.

 

That looks incredible! Did you have to do any special fiberglass work? What material costs are there? Also, I'm curious to what system that is and if it has any sweet features. Sorry for all the questions but that looks insane and I would love to have that mod when i get my XFire in a few days.

 

Lowrance iway 500C has 20GB hard drive for full US road maps and 10GB dedicated solely to MP3 player. touch screen unit and integrated sound to the stereo. Really is an excellent unit. I used a dremmel to remove the line of buttons (seat heaters etc) and removed the cupholder and extended the space to accommodate those buttons, rewired so the harness would reach and then drilled a hole and fitted the airbag light, i then fabricated the surround for the unit from wood and coated with Bondo, after about 100 sprays and rub downs it was done. Still a little tidying up to do but other than that, im really happy.

All that's removed is the ashtray and lighter...

 

that looks very nice...i can appreciate all of your customized hard work...

i kinda like the elimination of the cupholder and placement of the buttons.

enjoy!

https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...cat/500/page/1

 

it looks amazing!!!

well done, but i got to ask one thing, why did you keep your radio? why not purchase a all-in one option that has radio/sat-nav ect... i remember another person had done a dash redesign. that way you would be able to place the buttons on the bottom row rather than down along the arm rest. maybe you have reasons just wanted to ask?

Niko

 

very nice and clean, did you do it yourself?

great placement as andrew pointed out for the buttons.

 

Thanks for the praise all. Yes i did it all myself and yes my wife thought i was nuts and my friends just didn't plain understand it.

I decided to do this for the following reasons:

1) I wanted a GPS unit, Lowrance make great GPS units, the iway recently won the best of CES award and they don't charge for map updates!

2) The unit has 10GB reserved for MP3's I have a usb cable fed into the glove box so I can connect to my laptop to update the MP3's and software (maps, firmware etc).

3) The unit is touch screen and 100% viewable in the brightest sunshine.

4) the unit plays MP3's and shows the song title while navigating and you have UI push buttons for next song pause, stop mute etc. The UI is customizable and has skins that can be hacked and created.

5) Cost: for all of that it was only $600, i then spent about another $100 on parts, bondo etc.

6) Im not a lover of flip out units, they cover too much of the dash for my liking, for a decent one they cost like $1200 plus additional parts. I also wanted to retain some of the stock look but have it cleaner looking. i also detest having a cig lighter and ashtray in a car like this, that's just plain wrong!

7) I wanted to say 'goodbye' to that cupholder and the buttons look and function really fantastic in their new position. I also wanted to retain the air vents which i would have to sacrifice if I kept the buttons where they were and moved the dash 'up'.

8) I enjoy doing this and the satisfaction it gives me, im always looking for a creative project!

9) cus i could! :-) I have 30k miles on the car so warranty wasn't really an issue.

So that's my reasoning for doing it (whether or not they are valid is down to the individual to decide) for me this is the look i wanted.

Thanks again, if anyone wants to do anything similar drop me an email/pm and i'll help out as best I can.

 

It looks like you did a great job installing the system. If it works as good as it looks you will be very happy.

 

Congratulations, it looks great! Nice work.
I would have thought(by your name) you were from Brittain, but the car is a left drive, so I guess you're not there.

 

I am, I'm just on an extended vacation in the US (been about 6 years now). :-)

 

i am sorry but can you explain why you have the radio still?

Niko

 

No reason for me to get rid of it, it plays CD's sound is good enough for me. All i wanted was a nav system and an MP3 player and now i have that installed.

 

well the set up you have done is similar to what i want to do. but i have no experience in chopping and pasting especially on a car! living in the uk i would like to do something like that. i would want to have a small in-car pc set up. but would remove the stock radio and place the screen in the upper location with the buttons on the bottom row. Britt any chance in pictures of how u did it? or maybe if u got time can send me a few pointers on how it was done. maybe i can send it to a specialist to do it for me. as the way i see it the stock sat nav costs about £1,200 which is about the price u can create an in car pc and maybe have it installed as well.

Niko

 

Dude that rocks... great job!

 

Here's another option but a little bit pricey around $450 plus nav receiver $1000+.

It does keep the original dash/console looks if you think you can't do what Britt did.

LCMR6CT


Replacement Rear View Mirror with 4.5" Wide Screen (16:9) Color LCD
Features:

* Replaces Existing Mirror
* 4.5" Wide Screen (16:9) Color LCD Screen
* RGB Input for Audiovox Navigation
* Auto Mode for Navigation Display
* Rear Camera Input
* Baby Camera Input
* Built-In Compass
* Built-In Outside Temperature

 

I bought an Audiovox nav5000 from eBay for $475 and the price for the replacement mirror LCMR6CT is now around $450. To spend around $1200 with install doesn't seemed bad at all since I got what I wanted in a bargain.

 

I can't find that camera or rear view mirror. What is the model number so I can buy it.

 

Awesome looking job.

I would like some advice on how to run cable from existing head unit to storage box in back of center console. I can run small cable snake behind radio and down center console for some distance but I can't seem to get plastic around the cup holder to pop out. It will lift in the center but can't seem to get the front to budge. Any advise?

Thanks

 

I don't know how you did all of that, but it looks great!