Expanding dash switch/gauge space
Both of the factory radios in my 2006's are starting to fail - the rotary encoders (a.k.a. volume controls) have developed glitchy contacts so they no longer work reliably. They're sealed parts, so I can't disassembleb them and clean the contacts to make them work properly.
I don't need many radio features and probably will consider a single DIN retro-styled radio (I refuse to get a radio that has annoying animated graphics every time you turn it on).
But I don't like the look of the single DIN installation kits - making a smaller opening out of the larger factory rounded corner opening just looks like a hack to me.
I came across these in the Land Rover magazines:
They're an add-on consoles for a Land Rover Defender dash that provides extra space for gauges and switches. What if something like that could be made for a TJ?
A few concept drawings... first, a straight-ahead view:
It would be a console that overlays the factory center stack and protrudes a bit. This quarter side view illustrates that; I've drawn this one with an aluminum panel:
Here's how it would work - the factory plastic gets cut out at the red dashed line and the new panel goes over the hole.
Another straight-ahead view. Might be able to fit two single DIN devices in there, this concept shows a radio, a CB and some switches.
It could also be a way to install a double DIN device along with some switches.
The panel could be cut out for any combinations of things - a single DIN radio, or maybe multiple gauges or lots of switches, or a single double DIN or whatever combination needed that could fit in the available space.
The panel could be aluminum as shown, or it could be painted metal or it could be plastic, it really doesn't matter since it's just a flat piece of material. The housing would need to be form-fitted to the factory shape so it looks like it belongs there.
I'm thinking about making a mold for the housing so housings could be made in fiberglass. Once finished and painted a matching color, it should look like it belongs there.
Dumb idea or good idea?