Alan

Keith,
That Pioneer unit looks a little beaten up... is that just the photo or are you planning to cover the frame somehow.

I'm not sure the Pioneer looks stockish for a 928 due to button layout...

But I too have been interested in console redesign... Partly to fit a much bigger VW dual DIN + nav unit (that is even too wide for the console!) and partly just that I too think it does look more dated than the rest of the car.

The slider AC controls are very dated, the rear AC controls make no real sense - I'd like to have a simple 4 **** system: Front Fan, Temp Control, Air Selector, Rear Fan and a few dedicated buttons AC on, DEF, Recirc. I'd change the control layout but keep the 928 easy grip rubber ***** - that's a good feature still.

Loose the clock and integrate it into the Sat Nav/Audio.

I too would bring the console up flush to the edges rather than recessed - I think that is part of the dated look.

Picardo - nice outline design - I'd stay a bit flatter as Keith notes though...

I would also loose the window switches, rear wiper & sunroof controls from the rear of the console - window switches belong on the doors and the sunroof control should be up next to the sunroof or high on the console.

The rear wiper control should be on the pod near the wiper stalk/rear defogger and could be swapped for the hazzard which could go anywhere - and once WAS on the console (I think they had the hazzard & rear wiper locations right back then... before the infamous "B-Team" struck again)

BTW - imagine this VW MFD2 unit with Porsche "fader *****" instead - thats what I'd do here... also note it has no logos (stock) and although it has a VW start up screen you can hack it to display any JPEG image you want...

The only other gotchas (but size) is that its designed to interface to a CAN bus system for speed inputs (and I haven't figured out the kludge for that yet... plus its also mucho dinero)

I really really like this one though... I think it looks right.

I already have a great single DIN SatNav - but I want this one.

Alan

tdelarm

Alan...that's sweet.

Piccardo...did you use CAD to draw that diagram?

928ntslow

He he...I guess I should have cleaned it up before I posted a pic. Actually, the unit is brand new with full factory warranty plus 2 additional years. The funk you see is just dust and finger smudges on it. The unit had no frame, so I was given one from a demo unit. The frame has a couple of labels on it that will come right off, but my plan is to have it flush mount with no frame. (See Pauls pic)
What are you kidding me????..you think I would put a POS looking thing in MY car!?!?!

I think except for the round ****, it looks perfect for the 928. The rockers look like mini window switches. All I have to do is find a rubber bit to customize and fit over the ****. Oh well, I'm happy with it.

I would love it if I could somehow integrate the function of the HVAC into the Pioneer unit. Or, what you mention about a row of smaller buttons for certain functions.

It seems we are all 50/50 on switch location for the windows,etc. I love them there.,,,not a fan of door switches myself.

Although I would prefer an updated HVAC head unit, I am fine with the looks of the one we have. As for the big *****...LOVE 'EM, thats one of the things that makes the 928 so good! My practice has always been to keep things simple. My changes have for the most part, been subtle. I think I have done a good job when someone looks at my cars and says "I don't know what ya did, but it looks great for some reason."

I will know more this weekend on how my plans will turn out. I expect that it will have that same looks of, "I don't know what ya did......"

I am glad we all have our own views of what we would/will do, but at least there are some of us on the same track.

I do have to mention that Pauls installation encouraged my thoughts to eliminate the recess completely.

69gaugeman

You mean something like this..........


that displays outside temp as well?

Kevin in Atlanta

Good start. But, you can add all the gadgetry you want, but until you design the upper console to get the vents flush with the pod so I can actually feel A/C and reach the controls and radio you won't have my interest. I suppose you could redesign the pod too.

Champagne

Rod: that's what I'm waiting for

I will redesign my whole console around that thing

Keith: moving everything flush is easy, but it does bring some logistical problems. As you move the bottom part up around the shifter for instance, the shifter gets shorter, but the slot it rides in gets longer. You end up with a larger surface area, but less useable space. It's also harder to fit a boot around the shifter that will cover that slot.

I do have a couple of ideas for a custom boot that would work though.

Paul

ew928

This is the HVAC controller on an Audi 5000. (Me last car) It's a GM unit used on 80's cadillac as well.
Digital temp controller. Top white switch on the upper right toggles internal and external temperature. Electronic push button operation for the HVAC modes.
And it had some diagnostic readouts when you key-in multiple button combination for things like battery voltage and HVAC solenoid faults, if I didn't remember wrong.




Not saying it's the best layout but it worked very nicely in the Audi. Plus if the control unit broke, it was cheaper at the GM dealer.

Must be an 80's thing to have the recessed controller and buttons on the center stack. (Borrowed pic from internet since my car's long gone)

Ernest (NYC)

Kevin in Atlanta

Imagine this:

A wider pod (or two pods grafted together?) that has all the vents, the A/C controls integrated into it.

Like this: (----)---)

piccardo

Why couldn't you use the original unit just change the look of the funky sticker on the face plate and make the slits for the slides a little thinner looking? Not digital but maybe allot easier.

Maybach_Man

what about adapting something like the bmw 3 series climate controller????

928ntslow

Paul...I understand what you are saying and I had already considered what needed to be done for the 5 speed. Raising that section up creates an interferene issue when using R and 1st. I just figured I would angle/slope down to the orignal surface and leave the boot assembly where it is. Of course this may change after I start to lay things out.

As for comments on the pod, this is a near perfect design..I am just not crazy about the dimmer and wiper delay, but everything else is right where one would need it.

Has anybody taken an HVAC unit from another vehicle and "bashed" the harnesses to see if a staright swap can be made?

Evil Patrick

I like it!

But is it WHISPER QUIET?

heinrich

Keith, if it hurts to lift your left leg and raise your eyebrows ...... don't .... just drive forward, who needs 1st anyway.

Alan

Piccardo,
The basic AC controls with sliders are an essentially 70's design (read very dated) They hark from the manual flaps generation controled by wires & levers.

Modern designs at least use ***** which can be more intuitive or even digital more recently still (which I'm not totally sold on - but Rod & Paul are!).

I'd actually like some digital overrides (auto initial heatiung/cooling program + auto fan speed control), plus I'd like continuously variable fan speeds.

Recirculate on/off should be available at any time.

I do also agree that the console vents are about 1/4 or more blocked by the side of the pod and this really seems a design flaw - although on the earliest cars there was no vent in the left 1/4 of the width - just a flow control ****... (another "B team" improvement to "fix" this?).

I wonder if a narrower right side weighted vent like this would actually get more air to the driver through higher velocity and less turbulence from air bouncing off the side of the pod - I suspect so...?

Alan

69gaugeman

Which are intended to be included in a replacement head unit