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I've got the itch to start working on a custom screen in the C5. I've seen plenty of installs with the AC controls moved down into the area where the ashtray is. I'm not particularly fond of the huge gap that is visible around it. I had an idea to build a small enclosure for the AC controls and mount them overhead between the visors. I've got a FRC, so no need to worry about the targa top. This way I could leave the ash tray alone, move the DVD controller to the AC area, and mount the sceen above it.
How difficult is the acutal re-wiring of the AC controls. I've got the automactic climate controls if that makes a difference?
Re: How about moving the AC controls overhead? (Metal Wulf)
I'd like to avoid using fiberglass at all cost. My thought was a simple box/pocket wrapped with leather, perhaps made out of 1/4" hardboard. I could bevel the front edge to match the angle of the windshield. I'd run the AC wiring up the A pillar and down into the box through the top to keep everything hidden. At the same time, perhaps mount the rear view to the bottom of the box and hide its wiring better than GM did.
For the screen and HU mount, I thought I might be able to use a combination of a HU mounting kit, a 1/4" hardboard template, and leather.
Re: How about moving the AC controls overhead? (leolufse)
Sounds :cool: . Be sure to post pics when they are available. I think a lot of members are ready to do mods on their interior now that it is the cold season so let us know the on the pricing as well :thumbs: .
Re: How about moving the AC controls overhead? (blk98vette)
leo......sounds good...but have you ever wrapped leather before? If not I highly recommend not using it. There are many vinyls availble that look just like leather and are much easier to wrap. Also alot less cost.
Defiently post up pics.
Re: How about moving the AC controls overhead? (EatRice)
I just moved mine, beware that it is a 20 pin connection and that it becomes a THICK wad of wires, snaking them up the windshield is going to be impossible. The only way i could think of doing it would be to pull headliner down and spread them out, across the top.
My reccomendations if i could do it over again would be to use Cat5 twisted pair. 8 wires per tube=3 tubes, all color coded differently. and another piece of advice is to do one wire at a time. I got some mixed up (4 pairs of same color wires) and had to get the shop manual out to diagnose my mistake.
Good luck and if you have any questions, just ask.
Re: How about moving the AC controls overhead? (MEATHOUSE)
:rofl: You said "thick wad".
I like the idea of the cat5 tube approach. I was thinking the wiring could be run up the A pillar and across the headliner and down into the enclosure.
I'm going to focus on the physical mounting of the unit before the wiring. I took a closer look at it last night and see an issue with perhaps having to cut the headliner and how "smooth" the roof is under there.
I think vinyl is a good idea as well. I've done it before, and I'm real good at carpet.