carpc in lexus es300 finished
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13
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From: il
carpc in lexus es300 finished
Here is the finished product on my 2001 es300. I fabricated a solid maple plank into the shape of the bezel, varnished and used polyurethane to match the gloss. Let me know your thoughts.
More description found here:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=92899
Some more pictures:
You can actually see the bezel is a little lighter, but up close it's an exact match.
Griffin powermate. Works like a charm (knock on wood)
Here is the BU 353. I love this thing. I had to take apart the backseat to get the wire through. It was a pain. If anyone has a lexus and needs to take apart the backseat I can give some pointers.
Here is the blue devil screen with custom logo built in.
I think I'm going to try to fab a lexus 3 spoke wood wheel like on my 2006 es330 but that is in the works right now.
More description found here:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=92899
Some more pictures:
You can actually see the bezel is a little lighter, but up close it's an exact match.
Griffin powermate. Works like a charm (knock on wood)
Here is the BU 353. I love this thing. I had to take apart the backseat to get the wire through. It was a pain. If anyone has a lexus and needs to take apart the backseat I can give some pointers.
Here is the blue devil screen with custom logo built in.
I think I'm going to try to fab a lexus 3 spoke wood wheel like on my 2006 es330 but that is in the works right now.
Last edited by spiike; Dec 29, 2006 at 11:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: il
The varnish is an American Walnut with polyurethane 2 in 1 mixture. It took 3 full coats to get the color right.
Total time spent to create the bezel is a week working 2 hrs each night. Dremeling the wood for the lcd opening was a pain and took the most amount of time. I used a powersander so sanding didn't take that long. But I've been planning this for about a 2 years from when I had my old bmw.
LCD prices has gone down about 60% so I figured now is the time to finally build it. GPS is a bu-353 usb gps reciever which goes for ~70 at gpsnow.com. Software used is iguidance 3.0 aka ig3 which cost $80 brand new on ebay. I used ig3 because the directions are really accurate and turn by turn is good as well as voice integration so I can just talk to the computer. My total cost is right at $400 which includes night vision camera, backup camera, griffin powermate (idrive ****), wires for extending the stock headunit about 5 feet and an hp laptop I got off my friend for $50 bucks.
Total time spent to create the bezel is a week working 2 hrs each night. Dremeling the wood for the lcd opening was a pain and took the most amount of time. I used a powersander so sanding didn't take that long. But I've been planning this for about a 2 years from when I had my old bmw.
LCD prices has gone down about 60% so I figured now is the time to finally build it. GPS is a bu-353 usb gps reciever which goes for ~70 at gpsnow.com. Software used is iguidance 3.0 aka ig3 which cost $80 brand new on ebay. I used ig3 because the directions are really accurate and turn by turn is good as well as voice integration so I can just talk to the computer. My total cost is right at $400 which includes night vision camera, backup camera, griffin powermate (idrive ****), wires for extending the stock headunit about 5 feet and an hp laptop I got off my friend for $50 bucks.
Last edited by spiike; Dec 29, 2006 at 02:30 PM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 4
From: Ny
Just wow i have been to 2 shops asking for that and both said it was impossible. I think i'm gona have to print this out and bring it in. You should make a few $400 or so a piece i know i'd buy one.Oh and where did you hide the laptop i don't see it
Last edited by Choas; Dec 31, 2006 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13
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From: il
The bezel is pretty easy to make if you have patience with a dremel. I'm sure they told you that cause they dont want to take the time to make one. I've gotten a few requests and if there are enough I could possibly create a batch from my template. Laptop is in the trunk in a custom box I fabbed and covered with black carpet. All the wires go under the backseat and under the carpet to the arm rest where a dc-ac inverter powers the whole thing. I'm currently putting some finishing touches with a suttle light up Lexus logo on the box.
The bezel is pretty easy to make if you have patience with a dremel. I'm sure they told you that cause they dont want to take the time to make one. I've gotten a few requests and if there are enough I could possibly create a batch from my template. Laptop is in the trunk in a custom box I fabbed and covered with black carpet. All the wires go under the backseat and under the carpet to the arm rest where a dc-ac inverter powers the whole thing. I'm currently putting some finishing touches with a suttle light up Lexus logo on the box.
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