Ashtray slide out LCD screen

[k2rm]

A few weeks ago I posted some pictures of the slide out LCD screen mount I put together in response to questions about aftermarket radio solutions. I built this system since I am one of those people who didn't want to cut the dash, and preferred to keep a more original look while enjoying 21st century electronics.

People were interested in learning more about it so I have started this thread to show how I put it together. Over the next couple of days, I will add a parts list and detailed pictures that shows how I did it.

The electronics are a Kenwood CarPortal system that utilizes a "head unit" that can be mounted under or behind the seat. The LCD screen can control anything you plug into the head unit, which includes (all optional) a CD changer, USB thumbdrive loaded with music, IPod, Bluetooth, Navigation, XM radio, back up camera, or whatever else one wants to add. It has a built in Tuner. Pictured here is the smaller of two optional LCD screens. You can even wire the stock radio into it and hear your original radio as a novelty.

This slideout mechanism can also be used for Garmin or other GPS nav systems. This can also be a good solution since many of these new nav systems have MP3 capability and bluetooth.

Here are the completed pics:

[Hart_Rod]

Sign me up!

[smoky02]

hell yeah, me too

[lks dcvn]

pretty neat - I have a 7" Xenarc touchscreen that I bought many moons ago to put into another project - how big is that one?

[coolbus4us]

wow, that is awesome! I would be very interested in this as I too dont want to cut the dash or put a head unit in the glove box.

[k2rm]

Its a 4.3" screen:
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...8482;/KOS-L432

[yote1234]

im sold!

[Senator350]

verrrry cool!

[JimmyFloyd]

interested in this

[my67chevytruck]

very slick!

[lax54650]

subscribed

[vectorit]

Very interested in this as well.
I'm currious as to how this is all secured behind the dash?
Is there a way you can get a good picture of what you had to do to secure the arm/slide?

[Wilson_]

very cool!!!

[k2rm]

Thanks for the compliments. Here is the parts list:

1 Dovetail rail http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct....Number=RLA0600
1 Rail Carrier http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=RC1
1 Construction Post http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=TR3C
2 Post end clamps http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct....rtNumber=RA180
1 ¾” post http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct....rtNumber=TR075
1 1” post http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct....rtNumber=TR1.5
2 Spring thumbscrews http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=TS25

This company is a laser hardware supplier so their prices are a little steep because of the precision engineering. I am sure good fabricators in their machine shop could custom make their own parts for much cheaper. The dovetail slider and carrier are the big ticket items, but they work very well due to their size. It will be interesting to see other people's ideas on how to come up with a sliding mechanism. I through around the idea of a modified drawer slider or even a surface bolt.

Here is how the dovetail slider is mounted to the underside of the ashtray housing. It is screwed in with lockwashers and is pushed as far towards the opening of the ashtray assembly as possible. This is a LMC ashtray assembly that I took the plastic side sliders off since the LCD screen wouldn't fit otherwise. I am pretty sure that a stock ashtray assembly would work just fine.

It is a 6" rail, so it sticks out behind the ashtray assembly several inches, but even with an aftermarket AC system, I don't have any problem with interference. The cabe in the picture is the LCD connection.

More to come...

[100gold]

Ingenious! Talent talent talent! Subscribed!

[Wildstreak]

all I can say is that is so smooth! I love being able to hide my stuff like that too, then thieves arent any wiser!!
Keep up the inventions

[bradford]

Subscribed to this as my truck has nothing in it at all. Just a blank.
I bet I could use the blank to do something similar.

[big_al_71]

that looks terrific!!!!
great job!!!!!

[Thealien]

Another I like it post!!

[QKENUF4U]

thats pretty dam slick... what do ya do with the ash tray door ? screw it off ?

[Sinister]

That's really cool. I almost wish I didn't cut my dash.

[watahyahknow]

it looks realy slick , if you could standardize the idea to work on more types of truck and cars you might be able to lower the price of the components and make some money with it

[nickp51chevy]

Just curious, how much would you say this all costs after said and done?

It's a great idea. I don't want to cut up my dash. I might not make the exact same thing but it should be close.

Great work by the way.

[k2rm]

The ash tray door is screwed on to the L-bracket that holds the LCD mount. I will post some detailed pictures tomorrow.

I would estimate that the total cost for the mounting hardware, 4.3" touch screen, and the carportal system (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...84%A2/KOS-V500) would be between $7-800). I had to do a lot of searching to find the best prices for the electronics. Sonic Electronix had the best price as I recall. The cool thing is that since it is a modular system, its easy to start with the basic system and slowly add whatever else you want. The carportal does have a 4 channel amp built in so additional amps aren't really needed.

[k2rm]

One more thing about the cost. The carportal also comes with a remote so it can be used with non-touch generic LCD screens. These are pretty cheap to get these days, so that could save a few hundred bucks as well.