Aircon/heater unit - Want to move it

[BigMal]

Another one of my zany idea's is to move my heater unit
out of its present location in the dash into the top
glovebox. *Reason: I want to add an EQ in the 2nd slot
below the stereo but also want to add a couple of guages
into the heater hole like in the skylines or gtir's. *Someone
once told me there was a temp sensor in the unit and that
sticking it in the glovebox would affect the way it works.
2nd possible location would be in the door panel in the
pocket. *Anybody know anything about the sensor and
or recomendations on performing the work.

Ta

Mal *:)

[apparition]

Check out some of these ideas for adding gauges!

http://plaza17.mbn.or.jp/~MANBOU/MyLantis/date/in/interior.html

Also:
http://plaza17.mbn.or.jp/~MANBOU....en.html (http://plaza17.mbn.or.jp/~MANBOU/MyLantis/date/DIY/meterpanel/4ren.html)

The actual site is:
http://plaza17.mbn.or.jp/~MANBOU/

This guy sure loves his Astina! * *:D

[EZZY]

how about putting the guages inside the top glovebox?
IMG]http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/groups/mazda323f/the+EZZY+album/__tn_EZZY3.jpg?bcK9Fp8AriIbWsl_[/IMG]

eric

[EZZY]

sorry guys,

try again

[img:post_uid0]http://www.water-lily.com.au/p_white_dash.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

[img:post_uid0]http://www.water-lily.com.au/p_orange_dash.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

eric

[Dogo]

hey EZZY,

bit off topic, but when u painted the dash , do u need to get special paint, and does it peel/fade/scratch easily ?

cheers,
Dave

[EZZY]

the preparation is one of the most important part of painting the dash.
make sure you get all the glossy lay off with semi-corse sand paper, and then with fine sand paper for a smooth finish (the wet-water type sandpaper is better to work with).

if you are doing it yourself, get a can of paint primer, then the color of your choice. the paint from those auto shops (e.g. robbos/repco) are pretty good. start with a thin first layer, allow it to dry and check the surface for any deposits (if you are doing in your garage), then the second layer. you will probably need 3 layers for a good coverage. allow it to day, then apply a couple coats of clear.

it wont fade or scratch easily. make sure that the paint and clear coat are completely dry before you put it make onto the car. there is nothing worse than leaving your finger prints on the dash.

or option #2, bring it to a professional (eg. smash repairer), and prepare to pay some $$.

good luck.

eric

[Dogo]

thanks,

[BigMal]

Thanks guys but Nah the 4 guages on the dash was a little
over the top for me. Maybe if it was a bit smaller and blended
into the dash more. As for Erics, sorry mate but I want them
where I can see them as the guages I want are EGT, A/F
etc and I don't want to be driving with the glovebox open
all the time.

Ta

Mal

[EZZY]

i have an idea for you. it is hard to discribe in words. when i see you next time, i will explain it to you. i think might like it.
i am not really a huge fan of guages though, but i think i should have at least a couple of them to blend with the crowd. i have been using the micro-tech handset, and it have all the data/info i need to know.
anyway.

eric

[BigMal]

Yeah but its hard to see the microtech handset when you
are hard under boost which is when you need to know if
the car is running lean by either the A/F or EGT. *Same as
my Blitz dual turbo timer which has a more accurate reading
than the Autometer on the pillar but you cant read it and
watch the road ???. *I am not a big guages in you face like'r
either. *Thats why I was looking for the 2 or 3 2" ones in
the top Dash hole leaving me the 1-Din for Stereo stuff.

Ta

Mal

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]talk about thread from the dead...

Mal, remember how is said i'd move the heater controls in my dash?

here's a pic of how big the heater control box is, and all the plugs with about 15 wires each. it's a little less than the length of a normally sized HU

[img:post_uid0]http://hrdwrbob.net/mca/uploads/rupewrecht/astina_heater_rear.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

and how there is plenty of room behind where the heater controls originally sit (the space where those 3 plugs are hanging down)

[img:post_uid0]http://hrdwrbob.net/mca/uploads/rupewrecht/astina_dash_apart.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

i can take a pic of the plugs if u want, too[/color:post_uid0]

[Dogo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]yes please !!!


i need a new wallpaper
:;):[/color:post_uid0]

[JynX]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]A crazy idea:

Remove the top speaker grill and make a small housing in similar material/colour to the dash and mount the gauges pointing towards the driver. Plenty of room in the speaker bay and would look similar to those mid-mounted speedo type cars. You can mask the setup by making it look similar to the dash so most peeps wouldnt know the difference. Prob enough room for 2/3 gages depending on the size of the housing you made.

Might be a bit much but would save dicking about with the heater controls.[/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]but really there is no dicking around with the heater controls, once you get the dash apart, it's a 30 minute job to move the controls down to the top DIN of the stereo, as the plugs arlready reach.

but Mal wanted to move them to the drivers door :)[/color:post_uid0]

[MrShadow]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I've always wanted to install some more guages in my car, in particular water and oil temp and pressure, and possible EGT. Coming from an aviation background, just having one "Idiot guage" really pisses me off, especially seeing the last two cars (neither a Mazda) have both had problems.

The Lantra's idiot guage never worked, it'd sit at "Hot" all the time, so when it blew the radiator, I didn't know till it was too late. Then the Magna kept blowing hoses, and eventually the water pump went. It was just at that age where all the hoses start going, so we sold it and got the Mazda. Don't want that **** going on with the 323. :([/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]well, you can fit three 2 1/4 gauges in a 1 DIN slot :)[/color:post_uid0]

[MrShadow]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Oh, well, I guess the standard idiot guage reads water temp, so all I'd need is Oil pressure and temp and water pressure.


Or I could go hot rod style and have them in front of the windscreen...nah, don't think so.

Well, actually, I need some money first, hmmmmm.......... :p[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]Thanks for all that Dan. Do you think there is enough length
to move it to the top glovebox ?? I only have **** in there
so no great loss.

Thanks for all the pics mate.

Ta

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]hmmm not sure...i'll have a look on the weekend!

but it would be close...[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]Thanks Dan.
Would appreciate that.

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[Cosmo Dude]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Mal

I have the original heater controls and dash wiring from my BA sitting collecting dust due to my [i:post_uid0]Climate control[/i:post_uid0] conversion that has taken me 12 months and still not finished.
The control pannel does not appear to have any temp sensors, the facia has switches LEDs and one slide pot. I've installed three sensors one the small black domed feature on the drivers side screen demister, second behind the three small slots neer the glove box and the third directly onto the heater core. With the original setup the only temp sensor is you :;):
The wiring to the unit comes from the left and down behind the radio and looking at Dans photo plugs onto the left rear. Looking at my loom you would need to extend the wiring.

I've seen some aftermarket pods thet fit to the 'A' pillar, could this be adapted to suit your needs.

Good luck :) :) :)[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]I don't like the A Pillar pods. Too much of the boy racer
look for me. I prefer stealth which is also less attractive
to thiefs. Having said that I do have my boost guage
on the A pillar and it has that tell-tale turbo car look and
I get a lot of people seeing the guage calling out "Is it turbo ?"
Bugger about needing extra wiring.

Thanks

Mal[/color:post_uid1]