malibu maxx mod idea -- looking for input
#1
malibu maxx mod idea -- looking for input
so my friend has a malibu maxx. hes been complaining for awhile that his car doesnt have a clock in it (aftermarket stereo plus DIC combine to not give him a clock).
well, on the top middle of his dash, there is a small inset that says "Malibu", right next to the hazard button. it comes out easy, so i suggested we modify that to include a clock. and since theres space, we can throw on two USB ports (he listens to music from a flash drive).
this is what the piece looks like and measures (the measurements are inside measurements):
maxxoriginal.jpg
and since about all i know how to do it solder, heres a tentative plan: place a small aluminum plate on the underside of the piece (itll fit perfectly in a little slot), shave off the plastic from the top, revealing just the metal (which already has the holes cut in it), and solder a usb port into the holes provided. and put a clock in.
measurements of this thing would be:
maxxalterationmeasures.jpg
and nancy can get the metal cut exactly. seems like an easy project to me, power wires are there for the taking, he already uses usb port, but hes got it routed under his dash now. simple matter to switch it. only problem is see is where do we get a digital clock measuring 4cm by 1cm? any ideas? doesnt matter what its powered off of, like i said, power cords are there for the taking and its not that hard to pop out if it takes some other battery.
so what have i overlooked? any ideas where to get a clock from? any glaring problems i missed?
well, on the top middle of his dash, there is a small inset that says "Malibu", right next to the hazard button. it comes out easy, so i suggested we modify that to include a clock. and since theres space, we can throw on two USB ports (he listens to music from a flash drive).
this is what the piece looks like and measures (the measurements are inside measurements):
maxxoriginal.jpg
and since about all i know how to do it solder, heres a tentative plan: place a small aluminum plate on the underside of the piece (itll fit perfectly in a little slot), shave off the plastic from the top, revealing just the metal (which already has the holes cut in it), and solder a usb port into the holes provided. and put a clock in.
measurements of this thing would be:
maxxalterationmeasures.jpg
and nancy can get the metal cut exactly. seems like an easy project to me, power wires are there for the taking, he already uses usb port, but hes got it routed under his dash now. simple matter to switch it. only problem is see is where do we get a digital clock measuring 4cm by 1cm? any ideas? doesnt matter what its powered off of, like i said, power cords are there for the taking and its not that hard to pop out if it takes some other battery.
so what have i overlooked? any ideas where to get a clock from? any glaring problems i missed?
#2
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Re: malibu maxx mod idea -- looking for input
Originally Posted by jwakamud
so my friend has a malibu maxx. hes been complaining for awhile that his car doesnt have a clock in it (aftermarket stereo plus DIC combine to not give him a clock).
well, on the top middle of his dash, there is a small inset that says "Malibu", right next to the hazard button. it comes out easy, so i suggested we modify that to include a clock. and since theres space, we can throw on two USB ports (he listens to music from a flash drive).
this is what the piece looks like and measures (the measurements are inside measurements):
and since about all i know how to do it solder, heres a tentative plan: place a small aluminum plate on the underside of the piece (itll fit perfectly in a little slot), shave off the plastic from the top, revealing just the metal (which already has the holes cut in it), and solder a usb port into the holes provided. and put a clock in.
measurements of this thing would be:
and nancy can get the metal cut exactly. seems like an easy project to me, power wires are there for the taking, he already uses usb port, but hes got it routed under his dash now. simple matter to switch it. only problem is see is where do we get a digital clock measuring 4cm by 1cm? any ideas? doesnt matter what its powered off of, like i said, power cords are there for the taking and its not that hard to pop out if it takes some other battery.
so what have i overlooked? any ideas where to get a clock from? any glaring problems i missed?
well, on the top middle of his dash, there is a small inset that says "Malibu", right next to the hazard button. it comes out easy, so i suggested we modify that to include a clock. and since theres space, we can throw on two USB ports (he listens to music from a flash drive).
this is what the piece looks like and measures (the measurements are inside measurements):
and since about all i know how to do it solder, heres a tentative plan: place a small aluminum plate on the underside of the piece (itll fit perfectly in a little slot), shave off the plastic from the top, revealing just the metal (which already has the holes cut in it), and solder a usb port into the holes provided. and put a clock in.
measurements of this thing would be:
and nancy can get the metal cut exactly. seems like an easy project to me, power wires are there for the taking, he already uses usb port, but hes got it routed under his dash now. simple matter to switch it. only problem is see is where do we get a digital clock measuring 4cm by 1cm? any ideas? doesnt matter what its powered off of, like i said, power cords are there for the taking and its not that hard to pop out if it takes some other battery.
so what have i overlooked? any ideas where to get a clock from? any glaring problems i missed?
#6
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I am sure there are a few clocks out there that could work well for that project. Unfortunately, it'* something I wont be trying.
In a few hours, my Maxx is going to be traded...along with my '94 SSE. Desperate times call for drastic measures
In a few hours, my Maxx is going to be traded...along with my '94 SSE. Desperate times call for drastic measures
#7
Jeff, that is a DAMNED brilliant idea. You might want to think of doing a patent search and trademarking that. I could see that idea turning into a viable product that could even be adapted to fit other vehicles that have the same type of insert.
Sandrock: WHAT?!
Sandrock: WHAT?!
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