pmb692

So, recently I've been looking at some of the threads about upgrading the 928 dash with a double din setup. Well, I now have a wild hair to update the center console/dash in my 89 S4 by completely rearranging everything to make room for a head unit with NAV, a couple of phone chargers, and a couple of USB connectors. While I'm at it, I'm going to try and see if I can make things fit a little more flush. I'm starting all this from scratch, and want to keep a certain 928 look to the dash. I have a few ideas on how to make it all work, and will post pictures of the progress. well, at least the progress that works the way I want it to. It's a spare time quest, so I can say now the process will be slow, but I will update as I can even if it's a failure. As you all probably already know, the dashes in our cars have seen some abuse over the years, and mine is no different. The PO had a lot of clear epoxy holding this one together, so I see a lot of plastic welding in my future. However, if things go the way I plan, I'll have a pretty up to date setup in my car, that won't looked all hacked together.

Dean_Fuller

Looking forward to your progress.

dr bob

There are the efforts of those who have passed this way before you...

Keith Widom (928ntslow) did a center console upgrade to his GTS, and documented the process and results here: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...upid-long.html

More lately, Hans offers a carputer console that can include as much or little as you desire. He also has a replacement switch console that updates window functions, and replaces the rockers with touch switches.

More:

You can search the related threads by looking for 928 forum posts by 928ntslow with keyword "console".

Livio928

I think Hans' project stalled since there were other efforts already underway. At least that is my recollection of it.

Hilton

Here's the best 928 dash mod I've seen on Rennlist ever:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...n-austria.html

pmb692

Thank you all for the input. I really like the mod Keith did to his car. One tip I will certainly use from him is the location of the GPS, and Satellite radio antennas. I'll be checking his post as soon as I write this.

ReDesign by FEATHER

I have two consoles in my shop now on which I am doing my version of this conversion, also inspired by Kieth's, and these two are nearly complete. One is from a GT and one from a GTS, and both are five speed. These two are being converted to include an interesting Double DIN PC carputer that these two guys came up with.

There are about two threads that I have done in the past on this forum about my version of this Flush Center Console Conversion, one less than a year ago. It might help you a bit if you find and review those.

My conversion is shown in my avatar, the version for the Auto Trans. The two I am doing now are very slightly different, besides being for the five speed. They involve moving the HVAC and AC/Lock panels down a bit into the lower insert because of the hidden shape of the PC Carputer.

pmb692

Thanks. Looks good man. On mine I want to keep some of the stock look, and am even going to keep the flip up ash tray lid. However, in it I will have 2 phone/accessory chargers and the USB ports for the head unit. I also intend to make the flap actuator slide work next to the vents. It's proving to be an interesting task, but already have the ash tray frame apart, and a plan in place for the chargers.

Jerry Feather

It's interesting that you seem to have noticed that Keith did not accommodate the continued use of the vent flap actuator. I have adjusted for that in my conversion, as you will note in the thread about it. It involves moving the whole vent assembly from the console to what I call my upper insert and them making a transition air vent duct to fill the gap left behind it.

I will be very interested in how you are going to accommodate all of the original stuff in your conversion. When you go from one DIN to Double DIN something has to be eliminated. Maybe with no rear AC you can eliminate some of the space forward of the shifter in order to continue to accommodate the ash tray lid. However, it gets more narrow the farther down and aft you go.

Aside from the contrasting color, just what do you find about my conversion that is not pretty much "stock looking?"

It will be nice to have another 928 guy on here who can fabricate something. I'll be interested in seeing what you can come up with and maybe even something I can use.

pmb692

Well, here's what I did. I committed a sin to some 928 guys.... I've removed the rear AC system (not the vent and box, just the hardware) as that's where I'm concealing the new micro amplifier and the crossovers to the speakers. I already have the hoses to go from the rear ac to just the front. With that removed, I no longer need the rear ac controls, or clock for that matter, and they are gone to make the space needed for the head unit. As for yours, It looks great. I in no way meant that it didn't look stock. I just have a vision in mind of something similar to what Keith did, but with the ash tray area used as a concealable place for charging and USB ports. That is of course if I can make it all fit right.

dr bob

Best to move those audio accessory extensions back into the center armrest area. There's room for your phone in there, plus a few USB drives for a music library. Add a couple power accessory outlets in the parcel shelf, and you can completely remove the ash tray.

Jerry Feather

If you look more closely at my conversion you will notice that it is just about exactly what Kieth did, except perhaps in the execution and the refinements that I incorporated. Everything is just about exactly where he has it. Do what Dr Bob suggests about the outlets and such, or put them just ahead of the shifter, but without the lid, or make a new lid or cover of some sort. There is no room for the a-s-h receptical.

blazing928

Single din with a flip out screen. (Pioneer & Alpine make HU)
When open it does cover the a/c controls, but I hardly ever adjust temp, you can still adjust fan with screen out. The usually have a half close button that drops the screen flat, but doesn't retract, for 10 seconds or so and then returns back.
Saves a lot of cutting and moving stuff.
In my car I have a DSP below the HU, so I move the A/c controls onto the handbrake cover and other audio bits where the ash tray is.

pmb692

Just a quick update..... Last night I did a preliminary test fit of the components (Pioneer 7000nex, heater control, a/c control, and my reconfigured ash tray). It looks like I'm going to be able to get everything to work just like I want it to. However, I will have to relocate the flap actuator and the relays on top of the tunnel. Also, my plan to use the space in the ashtray frame to hold 2 accessory chargers and 2 USB ports seems like it's going to work well. We'll see how much I get done this weekend.

MjRocket

Take lots of pics as you go...We are a Very visual lot.