Headunit and 3 gauge center dash mod

[JustJeff]

I never liked how low DIN gauge panels sat on the center dash. So while moving all my parts from the old turbo vert to the soon to be turbo vert I decided to make some changes.

After pulling out the OEM headunit I saw that the mounting brackets are screwed onto the OEM headunit. That seemed like an awesome and easy starting point. I mounted my Eclipse HU onto the OEM bracket but on the lowest DIN spot. It worked alright, but the HU sat way too far forward for my taste. Measuring showed that it extended about 20mm out from the center dash cover. It also sat a little too low. I was concerned the little plastic outer trim for the Eclipse wouldn't fit.

So, I measured 5mm up and 20mm back and drilled and dremeled new screw holes. The height was right on, but the HU sat too far back and sunken in. So I dremeled each hole into a slot so I could adjust depth for the HU. IIRC the most forward the modded hole would allow is 10mm. So with the slot I made I can mount the HU anywhere from 10-20mm forward/back.

Here is how it mounts after moving it up 5mm and creating the slot.


Here are the brackets mounted just as they should be...only with my HU. BTW the black wire coming down is my common ground for the headunit and antenna relay. Once the gauges are installed I'll ground them all from one common ground. It grounds to the shifter top bracket. I took the top driver side bolt out, then slid the ring terminal under the bracket and bolted it back down.


One side with the slot. Again 5mm up and 20-10mm forward and back


Not a very good pic of the opposite side. That side does not mount as well because a tab on the OEM bracket created a large opening. Once its all done I'll use a longer screw with a washer on it so that it mounts better.


I measured the inside of the center dash cover and cut a cardboard template. The vertical lines on either side of the DIN opening are where the sheet metal will bend. I'll create a few more screw holes and use plastic bushings to secure the front panel to the OEM bracket.


Trace the DIN opening onto the metal panel and cut and grind it down.


Marked center for height and width and drew the gauge openings.


The panel DIN fitted to the HU


Template mounted. Glad I did that before cutting the gauge holes. The template is a couple mm off-center to the passenger side.


That's all I have so far. I'm off all weekend with a bad toe and neck so hopefully I'll finish this little project by Monday. Once the metal front panel is done I'll cover it in black vinyl of some sort or possibly have it powder coated black (if I catch the powder coater before they do my engine parts)