I like the reccessed look..

I still think it needs to be angled though.

I also think you need some sort of sides on it though.

I'll know more tomorrow: The Digital Dash is coming in :). I don't think I'll need to angle it but I'll know for certain tomorrow. With the dash being recessed like it is the dash and LED's will all be displaying at the same level and orientation as the stock gauges which worked fine for me. However, I share your concern with the nature of LCD and being able to fully read it in various lighting conditions. I may invest in anti-glare film, but that may or may not be necessary.


As for the sides I have something planned--But it is not fully flushed out yet.

Well... Shit just got easy.

I do not need to angle it. Stock angle looks fine. I'll be posting pictures shortly in my build thread.

So TTT raised the issue of having sides and inclination for the dash. Well here's why I'm not concerned about it:

First you start with a regular dash surround.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...8&d=1300077851

Then you slowly cut out the dash pieces without damaging the surround:

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...9&d=1300077869

Now take a trip to the fabric store and pick up some headliner and some glue. Once you have those make sure you get good measurements and trim to fit in some headliner:

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...0&d=1300077887

You'll also need to do the top side. I chose to do this piece originally in two cuts, but for whatever reason the cut was too large so I had to trim it.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300077907

So, there you go. The start of the dash surround and the dash ;)

I'm still waiting on the buttons, LED's, and Plexi glass. I will be finalizing the design of the dash soon enough, but I think even TTT will splooge on this dash (I still need to order the Fuel level gauge).

Nicely done, nicely done indeed :iconT_up:

I see you've managed to get some sides in there :rofl:

I'll tell you one thing. Cutting out the dash plate was painful as hell. I didn't want to risk damaging the surround so I had to do it using a pen knife and patience... Now my hands are raw and sore. Also, headliner glue is expensive and smells.

Die grinder?

3M Super 77 Adhesive? Shit has always been awesome for me

I would have used the die grinder if I didn't care about the surround, but I would rather do it accurately with a pen knife rather than risk the damage. Welp, off to bed. Long day tomorrow.

Received the buttons; they are top quality. Really, really, really nice.

Pics or ban

I don't have any pictures worth showing. The buttons are listed on page 3 or 4, but they are tits nice. The body is stainless steel and the voltage restrictions are perfect for automotive constraints: LED's a pre-wired/setup for 3.5/5.5/12 v dc while the switch components are setup to handle up to 24v dc.

Started setting up the vinyl. it's looking pretty good now. Pictures will come later on. Glue takes 24-72 hours to fully set, which means I have to take it in steps; I'm working on the upper bar of the surround. I also will begin work on the dash itself this weekend.

:)

Vex admitted to me through PM's that he is going to use his new found vagina power to channel his inner seemstress into this project ;)

TTT... You're a bastard.

Martha Stewart would be proud:

This is the vinyl I'm using. It's called "Whisper Black" and runs about $20 a yard. It's really nice however and well worth the price. This is the texture and shine of the vinyl with a flash taken at point-blank range.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300158814

dude.... WHAT THE FUCK ARE THOSE!!!!! At least get some beatup bessy clamps, or go to the chepot and get the spring clamps for $.99 each before thinking about posting a pic like that on the internet to just further the rumor that your vagina is spreading to your head and allowing you to use what look like hairclips while doing seemstress work!!! :smilielol5::rofl::lol::rofl::smilielol5:

In all seriousness though, it looks good. I like how you're sewing the fold into the bottom.

Plastic paper clips. I sort of spaced it when it came time to glue, and rather sit there for the minutes and hours it takes to set I asked the woman if she had any paper clips (I don't have any). That's what she brought me, that's what works, that's what I used.

+105241551423

Preliminary Test Fit
 

I did a test fit with the stock dash surround for both fit and finish. As you can see, the test fit performed well. Neither color overpowers the other, and they both have a dull aged feel to them (I am not currently planning on wrapping the stock surround--but I may consider it when I reupholster the entire dash, but this will not happen until I figure out how to do proper seam accents and seams for that matter with red thread as to match my shifter boot).

Also note that the lower portion of the digi-dash surround is not glued taut yet. That should happen later today if it all goes according to plan. The buttons are pictured below. The only grip I have (the only one) is that the blue buttons are actually above the ring while the red is not. I honestly wish the red mimicked the blue in that respect, but I'm fine with all of them :).

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300200520

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300200520

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300200520

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300200520

Those buttons look nicer in those pictures than the sales pictures

:lol: TTT is lazy. :rofl:

Effiecient!!! DAMNIT!!! Not Lazy, effiecent! Quicker to have them already loaded than to have to click on each one, wait for it to load etc etc etc....

My camera on my phone sucks, so I didn't think people would WANT to look at the big pictures unless there was something that really piqued their interest, but cest-le-vi.

I'm starting the lower portion edge wrapping.

You speak french too? Evidence is really piling up huh :ghey: Just kidding, I actually took 6 years of french through middle and high-school.... damned if I remember anything that wouldn't get me slapped :rofl:

lmao

overall, i think it all looks good so far

Nope. Never took French, nor do I speak it above the normal English clichés.

Actually forgot to put in the update:
So I went home and attempted to get the lower portion glued down. The trouble is that when I removed the plastic cover I didn't remove the mounting points, so I was unable to get a good glue surface. So I ended up stitching it like a blind man stitching a hatchet wound while drunk. The end result on the vinyl surface turned out really, really, good (pics will come), while the stitch work... leaves a lot to be desired.

So I got some pictures for everyone to giggle about.

For TTT's sake:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...5&d=1300225349
You'll notice that towards the front (the upper edge in the picture) you see a few indents along the edge. This comes from the mounting platforms where the clear acrylic plastic went, and this is also something to be aware of in case anyone is planning on doing this themselves.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...6&d=1300225367
Notice that there are no wrinkles in the vinyl and it is all glued down to ensure adequate durability for wiping and cleaning. The leading edge indents and what not are clearly visible in this picture.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...7&d=1300225392
This is the drivers perspective. You'll notice that you can't see any of the indents, which is what I was hoping for, and I think turned out well enough.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...8&d=1300225415
The right side. The 'bump' that you see is an optical illusion. It is not there.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...9&d=1300225429
Same as the right side.

When test fitting the entire unit with the dash surround I noticed something that is good to know in case anyone else is planning on doing this.

Notice that there is a 'gap' from where the clear acrylic would be if it had not been removed (I really need a better camera):
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...0&d=1300225543

Never mind the ship rigging underneath the dash, focus on the 'gap' or as it's technically called, the raging crevice of idiocy:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300225558

For more contrast I put a scrap piece of vinyl with the clothe side out so you can better see how much it's actually short by:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...2&d=1300225574

So if anyone is planning on doing this and would like to do it better than me; build up the leading edge to remedy the gap that you will encounter if you do not, also remove the mounting location for the clear acrylic. By doing this you will avoid the gap as well as be able to glue the vinyl down so it's more uniform.

Here's a completed shot of the Digital Dash surround when it is fully wrapped:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...3&d=1300225595

Here's a shot of the under 'rigging' (I was thinking I should have pulled a TTT and done some nautical rigging underneath it... but I didn't because I was lazy and in a rush).

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...4&d=1300225627

So... any thoughts or comments?

More on the gap: It will not be seen while you're driving, but does leave space enough for the possibility of accent lighting if I chose to go that route. However, I think if I had to do it over again, I would have built up the leading edge by either using epoxy or cutting the clear acrylic leaving the boarder/boundary of it.

Since the surround is done I thought it wise to begin mocking up all the pieces as best I can on the table. Here's what I came up with:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300237311The signals need to come down and out while the gauge needs to move in. The buttons can stand to be moved closer to the dash as well, and I even had the thought of placing them on the surround (the piece that was just covered)--but have since talked myself out of it as I wouldn't want the LED's to cast light in that location.

Here's what the buttons look like illuminated. If anyone has any further alterations they wish to suggest feel free to post them.
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300237311
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300237311
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300237311

looking like its coming together well

Fuck this is really making me wanna buy one of these. Suppose I should get the car running first though! Looks awesome man!

Damn, those switchs are pretty badass! What are thier purpose?

Blue switches function as the dash buttons (ie, dash setup as well as gauge page selection). The red switch functions as the recalibration button for the innovate wideband o2 sensor. I've toyed with the idea of picking up another button for the datalog activation switch... but for some reason I talked myself out of it.

Got the fuel level gauge in today so I decided to mock it up to verify that I need to move the gauge over a little bit. Here's what the gauge looks like:

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300335901
I like how the LED and colors came out. Both the buttons and the gauge have the same blue and red color.

Here's the gauge without the illumination:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300335901

I think the gauge could stand to come towards the IQ3 by about a 1/16 of an inch. What do you guys think?

It does look a little sad all alone over there. I would have to agree.

I did an in-car mock up and found out a few things.

You'll notice I still haven't moved the fuel gauge over any (that will be coming here shortly). This is also with the picture taken in my field of vision or in other words directly in my line of site of the IQ3. The angle looks spot on to me.
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300397537

This is my attempt at getting the view of where my eyes are. Of course this is not a 1:1 translation, but you get a good idea of the visible angle and what not.
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300397537

Now this is where it starts to get a little aggravating to me.
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300397537
You can see the cut in the vinyl. But the issue isn't with the vinyl wrapped surround. Watch what happens when I push the dash bezel to it's proper location:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300397537
Looks absolutely perfect right? Well... The fix is going to be harder than it looks and I would definitely appreciate some input on how to go about it (will be coming in another post).

Here's a view with the steering wheel, just to ensure everything is easy to read, easy to get to, and at the proper angle.
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300397537

Similar to the picture above, this one is taken where my eyes would normally be.

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300398024
You can see my thumb is still holding the dash in the proper location. This is because of the following issue with the in-car dash itself:

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300398024
Note the broken mounting tab. That is the only thing keeping this dash from looking absolutely perfect. I am open to suggestions on how to repair, replace, fix, or otherwise make it better than a broken piece of plastic. The other side is just as bad:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...1&d=1300398024

My thoughts on how to fix those tabs is to use some epoxy and some plexi-glass that I have coming to build up virgin material. Mark where the holes fall on the dash and drill the mounting hole. I would then place a metal clip to sandwich the plastic and secure the bezel to the dash. What are your thoughts? Good? Bad? Alternate?

The dash underwent a major re-design: The dash is no longer a complicated two piece assembly, but is now a simple 6 piece assembly (see attached for better understanding). I have moved the turn signal locations down and out, moved the buttons closer to the IQ3, moved the fuel gauge closer to the IQ3 as well, and re-arranged the attachment points for the rivets. The result is an easier to produce dash (as in you could probably build this in your garage with some sheet aluminum or steel and a few tools), which I shall be doing this weekend :).

i like that better actually