Flat dash look?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Flat dash look?
I've started doing an AVIC D3 install on my '99. There are many great examples of redone bezels with redone openings for the double din and relocated HVAC controls, but the general factory look with the recessed components and the ribs between them.
I'm trying to picture in my head how things would look if the components were not recessed, so if you imagine there would be a solid solid smooth surface across the front of the bezel, starting at the cupholder, all the way up.
I did this cardboard thing, but of course, it's not helping me picture things at all...
How do you think a properly finished flat panel will look with a touchscreen?
The other concern I have is the HVAC controls aren't exactly flat...
Thoughts? If you don't like it, a simple
will do 
I'm trying to picture in my head how things would look if the components were not recessed, so if you imagine there would be a solid solid smooth surface across the front of the bezel, starting at the cupholder, all the way up.
I did this cardboard thing, but of course, it's not helping me picture things at all...
How do you think a properly finished flat panel will look with a touchscreen?
The other concern I have is the HVAC controls aren't exactly flat...
Thoughts? If you don't like it, a simple
will do
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sandy Ego Ca.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: FL
many thers have done it as well with these double din radios. Take out any of the metal brackets in the rear obstructing the unit from going all the way back and you may have to trim the panel a hair on top or bottom to get it to clear depending on your mounting brackets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I tend to think that the C5 is full of "Round" and "curves" in it's design, unlike say the new Cadillacs, etc. that are sharp and chiseled in their design. I can visualize your thoughts on having the screen "flush" with the front of the bezel rather than being recessed, but I wouldn't think much of a sharp outside edge or squared off look. But I can see where you are seeing the flush mounted Navs, just look at a C6 and most current car dashes today. Show us pics when you finish it. I have a D3 as well.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 387
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From: The Vice Presidential Suite Elite Street, MD
St. Jude Donor '10
The flat black dash will look good with that radio. I have done alot of custom dashes for the hole pioneer line and most of them are flat blak or sem/gloss
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
IDM, YOU ARE DA MAN!!!!
You have saved me SO much time.
After seeing your post, I decided to take a look at it, and... IT DOES WORK!!!!
For those who want to know... I made a short vid.
All I had to do is use a dremel to shave a little off the top tab (you'll see the cut in the vid).
Disclaimer... my HVAC mounting holes were elongated from an earlier carpc install. It is now in its stock location, but I'm not sure if the holes are lined up exactly as stock - it certainly looks centered in its opening.
Also, in the vid you see that the ashtray lid is not smooth... This is because I have wires hanging behind it. I believe it will work fine once I clear the wires.
There is a port on the lower left front of the AVIC. that may require a little notch in the rib. the hole is clear of the rib, but I'm not sure if it's clear enough for the male connector to go in.
I still have to make the final brackets, finish rest of wiring, and get the face plate for the AVIC.
link to vid
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
how's the accuracy of the GPS. I just took her for a VERY short drive... just long enough for it to pick up my location at the end of my street, but on the way back, it was still a little confused as to where I was exactly.