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I was just poking around the web and came across the XK8 interior below. I'm not crazy about all of his design choices, but here's what I thought was interesting: this guy has moved ALL of his switches (AC, lighting, traction control, hazards, etc) out of sight, into the center console and glovebox (all supposedly operational. This gave him a large, clean area for the screens.
Small-ish image below, and bigger photos on the web page HERE. Click on his images and they'll enlarge.
The top screen is kinda what I'd like to do eventually, but not quite so big. I want to reorient the AC vents so they are vertical on either side of the screen. The big screen will be an Android tablet that I can use as a GPS, music player, OBDII interface, rearview mirror/backup camera, etc...
I like the execution, a little too much work for me. I did something similar, but more true to the original. I installed a 7" android car stereo in the dash. Hardest part is filling the space from the old radio without looking like an afterthought. Now its just a filler plate but working on a cup holder.
Not a project for the faint of heart as there is very little space behind the dash but I love how it turned out.
Mjs128 - where did you get that centre dash unit, since it is not an original satnav item (no rows of buttons). And what make is the Satnav itself. I would be interested to know more of this! Love the wood pattern, by the way!
The car was originally a sat nav but that panel started life as a 3 gauge. I took apart a cheap Chinese android head unit and machined a housing to hold the screen then welded that into the panel. Lots of bodywork and I hydrodipped all the wood panels in that terrific pattern, applied like 10 coats of clear, lots of sanding and buffing and that is the end result. Since it is android based I run Waze for my map, but can load anything offered on Android. I didn't take any pics but next time I have the dash aspart I'll snap a few pics.
This I did when I was 19 years old. I am now 33 years old. And my fabrication has gotten a little bit better over the years Just brings back so many memories
Nice work. I went the other route, going to gauges from Nav, and staying with the original tape/CD installation. I can still appreciate a custom conversion like this;however, as our cars are a statement of our individuality.
I am trying to figure out a way to add a Sat radio to the existing AM/FM/CD on my XK. Has anyone done that yet?