I am interested in a navigation system, but don't really want to replace my wholse system. Has anyone thought of a stand along unit like the Garmin that mounts in the trunk and then uses a remote monitor? I was thinking... why can't the ashtray on a GS4 be removed and a custom mounted monitor replace it? There is already ACC power for the lighter. The gearshift might get in the way, but does anyone think this is doable, or am I out of my mind??

I know it's probably more trouble, but thought i'd see what everyone thought.

 

I am unaware if the typical portable nav systems have a video output to hook up a remote monitor. The only one that I know of personally that has such a feature is the Alpine Blackbird. Even with the Blackbird, I am no clear if it only has the special navigation RGB connector to connect to the Alpine W200 and D310 touch screen monitors, or if it has full composite outputs to hook up to any monitor. One warning about the Blackbird though is the unit is slow and a little inaccurate without the latest software update. With the update it supposed to be on par with the competition.

 

Garmin makes a trunk mounted box. See it at www.garmin.com

I don't know what type of monitor it requires, but would assume that it is universal since they don't sell the monitor.

 

If you don't want to replace the stereo, just buy a portable unit like a TomTom, Alpine, or Garmin and be done with it. Why go through all the trouble of custom mounting a display when it'd be just as simple and look better to install a replacement NAV system in the dash.