My recent and helpful E450 dash modification

[Ohio_Funseeker]

Thought I would post my recent dash modification to my 2021 Sunseeker cause I thought it was pretty cool, and has made the dash much more usable.

You can see in the pics that I took out the change compartment thing above the touchscreen and replaced it with my own creation. My own creation being a 3d printed panel that has a phone holder mount on the far left, a USB/voltmeter and then three switches. The phone holder was the original intent because there was no good place to put my phone. This sets it in the perfect place to pull up a map application on my phone. The USB ports are nice to help charge the phone, and the three switches help to fill up space, but also serve a purpose. The left switch will disable the Blind spot detection if it is having false positives due to towing something. The middle switch turns off the BSD buzzer (my dog is terrified of it and goes and hides when it goes off.) I think I'm going to have the right switch turn off the trigger for the turn cameras to go on. They are nice on the highway, but not at all helpful when driving down country roads and turning.

The second pic is the actual design. I made tabs so this unit will actually snap into the existing tabs so there is no need for external screws. That gives it a nice clean look and you can barely tell that it's a mod.

Anyway, I thought this was pretty cool so I figured this group may appreciate it.

[cmulvey]

Very nice! What is the BSD buzzer?

[Ohio_Funseeker]

Originally Posted by cmulvey

Very nice! What is the BSD buzzer?

Thanks.. BSD=Blind Spot Detection.

So the buzzer that goes off when there is a car in your "blind spot" and you put your turn signal on.

In reality, the mirrors are so dang good, don't really need the BSD, but it's there.

[kenandterry]

How soon are you ready to take orders?
And……like everything else…..I assume “just pay separate shipping and handling” as the voice always says.

[Ohio_Funseeker]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

How soon are you ready to take orders?
And……like everything else…..I assume “just pay separate shipping and handling” as the voice always says.

lol, I love messing around with 3d design. Fun little hobby.

But heck, if you're interested in one, I'd be happy to print one out for ya. Just pay shipping. I have switches I could throw in it, but you'd just need to buy the USB port. Easy enough.

This is all just fun for me. But if it works awesome and people want to pay for it, cool..

[BehindBars]

That's a very well done modification. I did the same with an aluminum plate, but yours look like a factory piece.

I think you could launch a small side business selling these things.

[mbutts]

Very nice! I just used that spot to shove my ScanGauge into so my wife can yell at me when we're low on fuel.

[Ohio_Funseeker]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

That's a very well done modification. I did the same with an aluminum plate, but yours look like a factory piece.

I think you could launch a small side business selling these things.

Thanks, I appreciate it.. Yeah, that area on the dash is odd. Just begging for something better to be done with it. Aluminum would look cool there though..

[Ohio_Funseeker]

Originally Posted by mbutts

Very nice! I just used that spot to shove my ScanGauge into so my wife can yell at me when we're low on fuel.

Nice, definitely a good use for that spot.

[CleteNKim]

Nice! Here is my mod. We got tired of manual air bag adjustment, plus train horn works well when getting cut off in traffic. haha

[Ohio_Funseeker]

Originally Posted by CleteNKim

Nice! Here is my mod. We got tired of manual air bag adjustment, plus train horn works well when getting cut off in traffic. haha

That looks awesome!! I'm assuming you have automatic controllers on the airbags, that's nice. Mine are both manual, but that would be awesome to be able to control them from the dash. great idea!!

I prefer your dash with the touchscreen embedded better too. I'm not a huge fan of the protruding touchscreen for 2021 models. I'll have to see if I can improve that too.

[cmulvey]

X 2. Very nice mod and I too am not a fan of the protruding display.

[Bob2019]

I have the 2018 Ford on my 2019 Forester. I use that slot you adapted to hold 2 of my walkie-talkies we use when backing up.

One thing I noticed right-away is the protruding screen when it came out on the '21. I can't believe such a poor design that I can imagine how easy it could get hooked, caught and broken. If someone can come up with a better design, it sure would beat the current mindless lazy design.

[Patten]

Yes, pretty cool indeed! Great work and thanks for sharing.