Dash mods to include "center console"

[jaycj71]

I know that a minimalist approach seems to be the name of the game when it comes to these older CJ's, but I'm an electronics engineer by trade, and i can't help but want to put some new toys in my project. I was wondering if anyone else has made any modifications to their dashes or built custom ceter consoles to house any modern upgrades.

Im currently considering building a "push-to-start" ignition with a secuirty switch under the seat. aside from that, i was considering building a box under the dash to house speakers, gps, and relocate some of the gages (angled towards the driver) to clean up the dash...

hope this isn't a cardinal sin, but any thoughts?

 

[IOPort51]

I have a 10x18 console box between the seats with storage and AM/FM, CB, aux light switches and a power plug. I never did like the radio in the dash. Putting a box under the dash limits the air flow of the heater, which does not do the best job of heating to begin with.

As far as what you do with your CJ, it is yours. If you fill it with horse manure and plant roses in it, heaven forbid, Or maybe lower it and put 22" rims on it, we would more than likely not be all that interested. But other than that, making the CJ better than it was is pretty much what we are all about.

There was a guy that come in here and wanted to do a build thread on a low rider CJ7 , I don't think we were all that rude, myself, and some of the remarks were hilarious.

 

[Hedgehog]

I hate to say this, but do a search on modifying your dash. There are some great options in those threads that would be long winded to replicate here. I do understand that there will always be technical people who will want to down grade their Jeeps with the latest electronics, after all I remember being extremely excited about putting an 8 track player in my Pinto. There was a technical lesson learned there my friend.

A couple different posters have made very modern looking center consols that incorperated (swollowed up) the shifting levers and continued up under the dash similar to the old MOPAR centers in a '70's charger or Road Runner. Nicely done, but somehow wrong in my overly conservative Jeepers opinion. With that being said, I am a car guy and watching these things come together is always enjoyable to watch.

 

[jaycj71]

I understand completely where you're coming from. I can appreciate the conservative look. I, however, am trying to create a daily driver that can go anywhere that I want to go. I've just gotten rid of my two modern cars, a Civic and an Impreza, (by means of divorce ) and this is something I've always wanted. My mechanical skills are nowhere near as advanced as my electronics abilities, so it's nearly impossible for me to avoid tapping into the tech realm of auto mods. Besides, parts are expensive and i'll be budgeting accordingly... But I have more electronic components than you could shake a stick at! So I'll be able to stay busy for months if I can't afford to work mechanically.

I went searching through the threads, but grew impatient. There's a lot to sort through and I kept getting distracted with other threads. So many jewels in the forums!!!

I hate to say this, but do a search on modifying your dash. There are some great options in those threads that would be long winded to replicate here. I do understand that there will always be technical people who will want to down grade their Jeeps with the latest electronics, after all I remember being extremely excited about putting an 8 track player in my Pinto. There was a technical lesson learned there my friend.

A couple different posters have made very modern looking center consols that incorperated (swollowed up) the shifting levers and continued up under the dash similar to the old MOPAR centers in a '70's charger or Road Runner. Nicely done, but somehow wrong in my overly conservative Jeepers opinion. With that being said, I am a car guy and watching these things come together is always enjoyable to watch.

 

[Hedgehog]

Understood - Pay special attention to the dashes in the Double D Fabrication ..... No Not the Logo .... He makes some great stuff, actually if you can imagine it he can build it. Here''s a thread to drool over:

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/custom-dash-cj-project-18111/



You like your Jeep flavor it any way you want.

 

[hdgapeach]

Sounds interesting, to say the least. Stating "Jeep CJ" and "custom modern electronics" in the same sentence has my attention. That's two subjects that I never would've considered together!

I'm in support of the effort and hope you include a build thread that allows my admiration of the progress. Whatever you do, waterproof everything unless you never intend on getting it out when it's raining. CJs ain't the most waterproof vehicles out there (in my experience).

 

[jaycj71]

Sounds interesting, to say the least. Stating "Jeep CJ" and "custom modern electronics" in the same sentence has my attention. That's two subjects that I never would've considered together!

I'm in support of the effort and hope you include a build thread that allows my admiration of the progress. Whatever you do, waterproof everything unless you never intend on getting it out when it's raining. CJs ain't the most waterproof vehicles out there (in my experience).

Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to consider that.

I'm currently still deployed, and have about 2.5 months left here, so I'm very much in the planning stages. But I may begin creating the circuits for some of my projects.

Here's another "brilliant" one that im considering. I have hundreds of "spy cameras." Im wondering what trailing would look like from a fender's POV, or integrated into a roll bar. just a thought.

I can't work on my cj while im here... but I CAN build all the circuits now and decide what to incorporate when I return.

 

[Kirbot]

I'll definitely be following this thread. I've had kind of a similar idea.
I don't want to over complicate things, but I do like adding a few modern touches to an older vehicle.


Eventually I'm going to add power locks, and interior lights that are activated by the unlock signal.
The idea would be, unlock the doors via the remote, interior lights come on, on a 2 minute timer, or they would also shut off when you turn the ignition on.

Somebody even drew up a schematic for the particular 555 circuit I'll need. I just haven't gotten around to building it yet.


The only thing I've done so far like that, was to ad a relay into the headlight circuit, so that the lights come on and off with the ignition.

 

[IOPort51]

I have given thought to mounting wireless back up cameras to the front and back to keep an eye on where the wheels are going. I think it is a great idea.

 

[jaycj71]

Kirbot< I would love to take a look at your schematic! I will likely built a similar system for my jeep. Though I'm planning on running EL-Wire instead of LED. Figuring out a tasteful way to do it (without the interior of the cj looking like some 16 year old's ricer) will be tricky. the 555 timer would work. perhaps incorporate photo cells so the interior lights only activate when it's dark enough to warrant it. you could also incorporate instrument panel lights in the same photo cell circuit, but separate from the TXCVR circuit so you can actually read see your speedometer and fuel gage.

IOPort51< I've acquired a large amount of cameras built to be mounted and integrated into things (some even have a Philips head screw disguising the camera lens). I like the idea of a rear mounted camera, but I can also imagine having them mounted into the fender flares may prove useful. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a driver leaning out to try and line his wheels up with an obstacle. I think one 7" screen and a hand built input select panel (perhaps momentary switches would do the trick) would be enough to get the job done, but small enough to not offend the eye.

 

[IOPort51]

Kirbot< I would love to take a look at your schematic! I will likely built a similar system for my jeep. Though I'm planning on running EL-Wire instead of LED. Figuring out a tasteful way to do it (without the interior of the cj looking like some 16 year old's ricer) will be tricky. the 555 timer would work. You could also use caps instead to keep the circuit nice and small.

IOPort51< I've acquired a large amount of cameras built to be mounted and integrated into things (some even have a Philips head screw disguising the camera lens). I like the idea of a rear mounted camera, but I can also imagine having them mounted into the fender flares may prove useful. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a driver leaning out to try and line his wheels up with an obstacle. I think one 7" screen and a hand built input select panel (perhaps momentary switches would do the trick) would be enough to get the job done, but small enough to not offend the eye.

The biggest problem I see is keeping the camera out of harms way, Mud,rocks,water, etc.

 

[Kirbot]

Kirbot< I would love to take a look at your schematic! I will likely built a similar system for my jeep. Though I'm planning on running EL-Wire instead of LED. Figuring out a tasteful way to do it (without the interior of the cj looking like some 16 year old's ricer) will be tricky. the 555 timer would work. You could also use caps instead to keep the circuit nice and small.

Here it is. I think the tricky part is having two ways to shut it off. The timer is simple enough, but I want them to shut off when the ignition is turned on like I said. The power lock receiver will provide the pulse to start the timer.

I'll probably use one of those LED strips you see in auto parts stores mounted up on the roll bar, and another one on the hard top shining in the back.


Courtesy of alec_t on Electro-Tech-Online

"I think you can get away with a single 555 timer circuit, as per the attachment.
The 'Door unlock' pulse turns on Q1 to provide, via C2, a brief trigger pulse for the 555 and so energise the relay coil.
The 'Ignition on' voltage resets the timer, via Q2 and C3, thus de-energising the relay.
Repeated actuation of the unlock pulse re-triggers the timer.
Turning off the ignition won't re-trigger the timer; the lights, if on, will stay on until the timed period (adjustable with the trimpot) ends.

Edit: I assumed a relay coil current of ~100mA in the sim. The 555 maximum output current is ~200mA, but it would be better to use an additional driver transistor for the relay if it is current-hungry. Depending on the lights you want to switch you may be able to dispense with the relay and drive the lights directly from the 555."

 

[Kirbot]

I'd love top set up an RFID kill switch too, but the only RFID stuff I can find uses passive tags, and only has a range of about 3"

I'd like something that would complete a circuit letting the Jeep start once I get within a few feet of it.


Edit
Oh and I like the idea of the photocell.
I figured I would just wire in an override switch to turn everything off.

 

[jaycj71]

I was thinking about that. but I think its as simple as creating a tiny housing for them. The largest cameras I have in mind are about 1"x1" total. I think if they are creatively mounted:
Rear under tow hitch
wheel cameras wedged into the corner where the fender flare meets the body
and the front cut and recessed into the front bumper...

I think the likelihood of them taking any damage is slim. and if they do, it would have to be something substantial, in which case the cameras would be the least of your concern.

im thinking a 1 1/4" x 3/4" 16 gauge steel box with piano style hinge on the back would work, and they would be pretty much invisible unless you know where to look. not to mention darn near invincible.

 

[jaycj71]

I'm going to mock this up tomorrow, and see how it responds. it will be an out-of-vehicle mockup, but I want to see if it works as well as modern vehicles. I'll PM you what I come up with.

Also... don't go for the cheap LED lights!!!!! if you're going to build the circuit, then get the LED and customize your light, you're be much happier in the long run.

Here it is. I think the tricky part is having two ways to shut it off. The timer is simple enough, but I want them to shut off when the ignition is turned on like I said. The power lock receiver will provide the pulse to start the timer.

I'll probably use one of those LED strips you see in auto parts stores mounted up on the roll bar, and another one on the hard top shining in the back.


Courtesy of alec_t on Electro-Tech-Online

"I think you can get away with a single 555 timer circuit, as per the attachment.
The 'Door unlock' pulse turns on Q1 to provide, via C2, a brief trigger pulse for the 555 and so energise the relay coil.
The 'Ignition on' voltage resets the timer, via Q2 and C3, thus de-energising the relay.
Repeated actuation of the unlock pulse re-triggers the timer.
Turning off the ignition won't re-trigger the timer; the lights, if on, will stay on until the timed period (adjustable with the trimpot) ends.

Edit: I assumed a relay coil current of ~100mA in the sim. The 555 maximum output current is ~200mA, but it would be better to use an additional driver transistor for the relay if it is current-hungry. Depending on the lights you want to switch you may be able to dispense with the relay and drive the lights directly from the 555."

 

[IOPort51]

I was thinking about that. but I think its as simple as creating a tiny housing for them. The largest cameras I have in mind are about 1"x1" total. I think if they are creatively mounted:
Rear under tow hitch
wheel cameras wedged into the corner where the fender flare meets the body
and the front cut and recessed into the front bumper...

I think the likelihood of them taking any damage is slim. and if they do, it would have to be something substantial, in which case the cameras would be the least of your concern.

im thinking a 1 1/4" x 3/4" 16 gauge steel box with piano style hinge on the back would work, and they would be pretty much invisible unless you know where to look. not to mention darn near invincible.

I am thinking above the skid plate, off to one side looking back at the wheels and one on the bumper stinger looking down at the front wheels.

Lexan security camera bubble housings are reasonable and water tite.

 

[Hedgehog]

You are a crazy radical, what's all this talk of doors that lock and lights on the inside and what's wrong with leaning out to see where you are going........ And spy cameras? Doesn't the federal government watch us enough already. Next you will be trying to convince us that those cameras and radar systems the stop us from backing up and hitting an obsticle are a good thing. If I want to back my Jeep into a rock or over a cliff for that matter the last time I looked it was still my right to do it. I want the right to hit a rock wall, not just once but to back up repeatedly and hit it as many time as I want. ........... but I fear that I digress, lots of electronics on a Jeep ....... cool!

 

[jaycj71]

you're looking at it all wrong. The backup cameras and "radars" are there to help you! if you want to back into rocks and walls... the cameras would help you do so more effectively! Think about how much easier backing over your mother-in-law could be if you could see her on camera! Though, if yours is anything like mine was, I'd rather hit a rock... would do less damage to my jeep.

You are a crazy radical, what's all this talk of doors that lock and lights on the inside and what's wrong with leaning out to see where you are going........ And spy cameras? Doesn't the federal government watch us enough already. Next you will be trying to convince us that those cameras and radar systems the stop us from backing up and hitting an obsticle are a good thing. If I want to back my Jeep into a rock or over a cliff for that matter the last time I looked it was still my right to do it. I want the right to hit a rock wall, not just once but to back up repeatedly and hit it as many time as I want. ........... but I fear that I digress, lots of electronics on a Jeep ....... cool!

 

[Hedgehog]

I know what they are there for .... its the government I tell ya, the government!

..... I hope it's obvious that I'm just having fun with the whole purity of a CJ thing. Well, I'm mostly having fun or am I, hmmmmmmm, When your putting all that elecrtonical gismology on or more importantly if I should put gismology on my '75 would the tin foil have to come off too? It took a long time figuring out how to keep it from blowing off on the road. I've still got that pesky thorn and cactus tearing problem, but foil tape keeps me under the radar......:driving:

 

[IOPort51]

Think "Autonomous". A jeep that comes when you call it.


It could plow snow, vacuum the carpets, pick up the kids at school, the list goes on and on.