techboy Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) So, eventually I want to put gauges in below where the headunit mounts, but I haven't gotten there yet. I also wanted to use an aftermarket headunit (while storing my OEM one for preservation sake), but that left me a problem - a big gaping hole where the equalizer usually sits. I know I'm not the first to develop a solution for this as there are many aftermarket stereo surrounds out there, but here's what I did with a little extra time at work today ..... I used our laser engraver at work to create the black plastic piece you see below. It's basically 1/8" plexi laser cut to 7.375" x 2.15" and then I engraved the Conquest logo onto it. I think it took me longer to find a usable "Conquest" graphic from the internet than anything else. Then, I used the brake to create a small piece of sheet metal for mounting. I drilled holes and tapped it with Mitsu interior sheet metal screws. http://imageshack.us/a/img844/2505/4ud9.jpg Next, I mounted up the metal support (single brass colored screw):http://imageshack.us/a/img708/5091/v2i5.jpg So that I had something that looked like this:http://imageshack.us/a/img5/9927/qq6x.jpg Next, I drilled two 1/8" holes in from either side 1-1/4". Again, I ran some standard Mitsu interior sheet metal screws through the holes: http://imageshack.us/a/img809/4239/9xfb.jpg Next, I removed the 2 screws, placed the plastic plate over it and marked the back for drilling. This time I used a 9/64" bit so the screws would just slip through and only bite on the sheet metal. Then I mounted it up. All done. http://imageshack.us/a/img197/6049/5g4w.jpg Sorry for the blury pics, for some reason my camera was taking really terrible pics today. I might retake some and post up new ones. Anyway, like I said, not really meant to be a permanent thing, but I thought it for now it looked pretty cool. Edited October 8, 2013 by techboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burton Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Looks really good! Way to think outside the box. I know it's a temporary deal for you, but for anyone else wanting to make something similar, you could also use some sort of epoxy or some emblem tape to adhere the plastic piece to the metal piece, and not have the exposed screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper1355 Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 You're making me seriously rethink my interior now... I want one. Let me know if you decide to produce and sell these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Looks really good! Way to think outside the box. I know it's a temporary deal for you, but for anyone else wanting to make something similar, you could also use some sort of epoxy or some emblem tape to adhere the plastic piece to the metal piece, and not have the exposed screws. That was actually my initial idea, but then I started thinking about the heat of an interior and thought that double sided would dry out and then it would just be falling off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 make a bracket like that that can hold gauges.that is what i would like even if it sticks out a littlefurther for the gauges to clear i would buy it fromyou. i like the way it mounts. now if it can hold gauges thatwould be perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taeisallin Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 It ould be really cool to make them hide the gauges when not in use. And be able to flip it up for full functional gauges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burton Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 That was actually my initial idea, but then I started thinking about the heat of an interior and thought that double sided would dry out and then it would just be falling off. For sure... the emblem tape could fail, especially in a warm climate like here in TX. Epoxy or an automotive structural adhesive, tho... that stuff won't be affected by heat, and also will never come apart, so if anyone goes that route make sure not to use it on a piece you'd like to be removed later on. Given how the design of this allows for the metal bracket to be removed from the OEM brackets, it would work really good, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyWadd Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Looks cool. There is a plastic one like that made for our car BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Looks cool. There is a plastic one like that made for our car BTW. Really?!? And here I thought I had come up w/ something somewhat original .... lol. If someone is making something similar I'd like to see a pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Looks cool. There is a plastic one like that made for our car BTW. Really?!? And here I thought I had come up with something somewhat original ... lol. If someone's making something similar I'd like to see a pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyWadd Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Really?!? And here I thought I had come up with something somewhat original ... lol. If someone's making something similar I'd like to see a pic. I will grab a pic. Its from a install kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted October 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 I will grab a pic. Its from a install kit. Oh ... you mean like those plastic radio install kits you buy at Walmart or Best Buy and have the blanks in them when you go from a stock stereo to an aftermarket one .... I guess you're right, my idea is basically that concept - just personalizded with the "Conquest" logo I engraved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted November 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 (edited) It's been a few weeks since I made this thing and assembled it. Finally got around to installing it in the car earlier this week. Here's how it looks in the car: http://imageshack.us/a/img42/2856/ofsh.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img822/8532/4c0r.jpg Edited November 3, 2013 by techboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsm9478 Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 It ould be really cool to make them hide the gauges when not in use. And be able to flip it up for full functional gauges. Lol somebody should use this idea for a group buy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xtreme Industries Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 when i had my shelby charger, i had a similiar idea but had mounted lights behind it so it would illuminate the text. looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts