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10-19-2019, 08:10 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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2012 Georgetown center stack
Ok. I'm finally getting started on my new center stack. This is my cardboard template. I'm not sure on the angle on the front yet where it drops down to the front of the dash. It looks a little to square. I may make it rounded, but I would like to leave it flat at the top so I can install some type of tray. I have the face angled 2" to the drivers side. My plan is to install a double din touch screen radio to use as a GPS and a forward facing camera monitor next to the rear view monitor. I'm going to move everything up about 10 inches. I'm also going to build a floor console so I don't have to bend down to pick up a drink. The stack will be covered in matching material as the dash. The face will be stained the same as the old face. This should make it much more driver/passenger friendly.
I'll update or make a new thread depending on when I start building it.
This is the before.
The red circles will be a power outlet and 2 USB outlets. The squares are the switches and hour meter fo the generator.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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10-20-2019, 08:10 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 46
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Impressive!
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10-20-2019, 04:26 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 9
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A moot suggestion, probably already in your mind, but switch the monitor and radio around, so the radio is more easily accessible as you drive?
But I agree: impressive!
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10-20-2019, 04:34 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 45
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Looks good, I've been considering doing something similar, but having trouble with coming up with a design I like. Please post progress photos, I'm very interested in seeing your design!
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10-20-2019, 09:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 136
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looks awesome! keep us posted
__________________
2014 Georgetown 360 DS Front & Rear RoadMaster Sway Bars Sumo Springs & Safe-t-Plus Stabilizer
Koni Shocks Blu-Ox Rear Trac Bar
2020 Chevy Equinox Silver sled
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10-21-2019, 08:20 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17
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Thanks
Keep updating your photos
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10-21-2019, 10:46 AM
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#7
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Senior Member - Retired
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Posts: 396
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When project finished it would great if you were able to supply dimensional drawings and a parts list. Even better, offering to supply the custom console as a kit. LOL
__________________
John & Gloria Hunsaker FROG Member CA-0030-988
2014 Georgetown XL 334QS (class A with 4 slides)
2013 Smart Car TOAD
Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar, base plates, diode kit
SMI Stay-IN-Play Duo auxiliary braking system
25' Off shore blue water fishing boat
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10-21-2019, 11:57 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Thakis everyone. I will update as I progress. However I’m not doing the cutting, building. My neighbor is a woodworker/custom cabinet maker. So he will be doing most of the cutting assembly. After looking at it I’m probably going to round the top of it so it slopes to the dash. It just looks to squared off to go with the dash.
On the radio/ monitor setup. I haven’t quite decided on that yet. I just wanted the radio easily accessible so my wife can use it also. I use the monitor all the time. So I wanted it’s location a priority over the radio.
Not sure on offering it as a kit or anything LOL. I never really have the time to do things for myself as I’m always doing plenty of other things. But I will post some of the needed dimensions. The biggest one is fitting it to the dash contour. Once that is done the rest is pretty easy!
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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10-21-2019, 12:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge Guy
Thakis everyone. I will update as I progress. However I’m not doing the cutting, building. My neighbor is a woodworker/custom cabinet maker. So he will be doing most of the cutting assembly. After looking at it I’m probably going to round the top of it so it slopes to the dash. It just looks to squared off to go with the dash.
On the radio/ monitor setup. I haven’t quite decided on that yet. I just wanted the radio easily accessible so my wife can use it also. I use the monitor all the time. So I wanted it’s location a priority over the radio.
Not sure on offering it as a kit or anything LOL. I never really have the time to do things for myself as I’m always doing plenty of other things. But I will post some of the needed dimensions. The biggest one is fitting it to the dash contour. Once that is done the rest is pretty easy!
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On my 2018 FR3 the radio & rearview are combined. This was my solution for the rearview. I would love to have my dash redone. I look forward to see the final product.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rk06382
I do not like taking my eyes off the road to look at the radio. I installed a new Monitor to the left of the steering wheel so I could see the rear all the time instead of only when I am in reverse. I have used it since June 2018 and love it. Only problem is I need a pole to wash the camera when it's dirty. It gets fuzzy when it rains.
From an older (June 2018) Thread: Rear camera monitor
Amazon: Padarsey 7 Inch LED Backlight TFT LCD Monitor for Car Rearview Cameras:
Price: $27.99
I installed a 7' monitor to turn on whenever the engine on. I used the RCA video cable going to the radio. It the shows rear view all the time except when the turn signal is on, then it show the turn view. I have used it for a year and love it.
The photo was taken while on an empty road. It is only powered when the engine is on.
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10-21-2019, 02:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Thanks for the link. But I want to try and keep stuff off the dash. However with the height of the new center stack I may be able to incorporate it in. But I believe my existing monitor is a 7” display.
I will check it out.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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10-23-2019, 12:19 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Clinton
Posts: 154
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dog house
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge Guy
Thanks for the link. But I want to try and keep stuff off the dash. However with the height of the new center stack I may be able to incorporate it in. But I believe my existing monitor is a 7” display.
I will check it out.
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I was wondering how you will remove the engine cover?
Don
__________________
Georgetown 335DS 2013
Toad 2016 Ford Focus se
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10-23-2019, 07:35 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donlock
I was wondering how you will remove the engine cover?
Don
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Well....with the way it is now I still need to remove the cup holders on the floor and then remove the center stack. I can't just remove it because it sits to low to slide it out. So the process to remove it isn't much different.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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12-09-2019, 12:22 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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More progress with pictures!
Ok. So I have been working on this off and on. Finally got the console cut and assembled last weekend. I was able to fit it up to the MH on Saturday, fit like a glove, i was impressed that my template was that accurate! LOL I had the face cut out to fit today with backers for support, stability and a place to mount the oak front panel to. Tonite I was able to lay out where I think I want everything.
The open spot on the left below the monitor I’m leaving open. I’m hoping to get a TPMS system and I will probably mount the monitor there, as well as a USB port for the radio. The little round circle at the middle right will be the existing power outlet. Then from there the generator hour meter, and all my switches, I’m adding 2 more for future use. The large circle at the left side will be my new USB charging outlet with built in voltage display. The open area at the bottom will not be used. I am going to make a console with built in cup holders and hopefully if I have the room a small drawer under that. That will be after I get the console installed back in the motor home.
Here are some pics.
In th first pic you can see how much higher and closer the monitor and radio will be.
I don’t have all the supports installed for the front panel/face yet. The face will be installed with small machine screws with T-nuts in the wood supports. This way I don’t have to worry about stripping out the wood where the screws would go in. The console is a little tall but it doesn’t block my view out of the windshield. It’s no higher than the speedo cluster. From the outside it stands out. But I have a plan for the front of it that you can see from the outside. I’m wrapping the console in matching vinyl if I can find the color. If not I’m going with a dark brown which will be a nice contrast and match the interior. The oak face I’m going to stain to try and match the plastic wood look of the original console. I’m done for now till after Christmas.
I’ll update again if I do anything else.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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12-21-2019, 05:08 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Ok small update. I have most of my cutouts done. Still have the radio left and I need that formte cuto out dimension. Hopefully the wife will be giving me that for Christmas! Along with a few other small things.
I still have 2 outlets to cutout for either sod of the switches. One is a double USB with voltage reading, and the other is a standard 12V. The opening below the monitor is for the TPMS when I get it.
I still need to frame out the openings from behind so I can mount the 2 monitors and AC controls. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get those pieces cut.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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12-21-2019, 11:01 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 136
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Project looks great keep us all posted. I think we all want to do this.
Happy Holidays
__________________
2014 Georgetown 360 DS Front & Rear RoadMaster Sway Bars Sumo Springs & Safe-t-Plus Stabilizer
Koni Shocks Blu-Ox Rear Trac Bar
2020 Chevy Equinox Silver sled
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12-22-2019, 08:15 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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12-25-2019, 12:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Ok. Small update. My wife got me my radio and surprised me with the TST tire pressure monitor. Everything fits great.
I’ll update again soon.
Merry Christmas!
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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12-25-2019, 03:05 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lakewood OH
Posts: 55
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Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Please have a happy Christmas!
__________________
Three Woading Wyrding Wandering Widows
2018 XL 369DS, aka Uncle George Junior
2016 Ford CMax Engeri plug in hybrid “Kona Car” (toad)
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12-29-2019, 08:19 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Another update!
Well I am just about done. Only thing left is to cut and stain some oak trim to cover the staples. Turned out pretty good. The Stan is abit dark, but it should be close to the dash wood look trim.
I'm not sure on the stainless screws! I'll leave them for now, but if I don't like them I'll get some black oxide screws so they don't stand out.
Now I need to get the MH home and install it. Then I can work on my lower console with the cupholders.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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03-08-2020, 04:22 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Update 3/8/20
Ok finally got the MH home and got the new console installed and wired up! Fits great and works just like I wanted. The radio is a bit out of reach but my wife will be the one controlling it on the road. The apple CarPlay using the maps for GPS works better than I expected.
No more reaching down to the floor to control the heat/AC. The monitor is in a better position for viewing as well as my tire pressure monitor. The next little project is the cup holders.
I wasn’t sure on the dark wood finish so I covered it with a vinyl carbon fiber look wrap. But it didn’t look right. So I removed it. This was before I installed it. So now to just order some black screws and washers instead of the stainless. And best of all......the dash is tight and no longer vibrates or rattles!
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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