hi,

has anyone done a DVD drive install under the ac controls on the Z? im wanting to do this install for my Xbox dvd drive for easy access. ive seen similar type installs on G35's.

it looks like there is a ton of room in there under the oem uni-meter/ac controls. it may have to be at a slight upward angle due to the contour of that location?! what do you guys think?

also, im looking at buying really long ribbon cable and installing my own male and female connectors. that should work right? to extend the cd rom externally off the oem IDE cable female connector.

if anyone has pictures that would be great. thanks,

Jason

 

I thought about this location for a dvd drive. I've seen the g35 install I think you were talking about. Anyway - the contour might be a pain in the ***. If you're going to do it you'll probably have to fiberglass and repain the whole peice. The other issue I can think of is that I believe there's a plastic bar underneath there that the peice above it bolts into. I might be wrong... also - maybe it can be cut. Curious if anyone's done it.

Finally - the ide cable's going to be a problem. check mp3car.com forums and search for extending ide cable. You should get some ideas there.

 

thanks for your input.

ya, i have a feeling that the curvature will be tough......i dont plan on fiberglass or painting so im hope'n to my really good measurements and cut only once!

that small plastic cross member may need to be cut like you figure. i dont think that will be a problem..

j

 

yeah, I'm interested in this also. not necessarily for a dvd drive but for other things about the same size.

 

A DVD drive is pretty deep and I think there is bracing to hold up the A/C controls. This may need to be removerd, but I don't see why not.

 

ya, it should work. ive been looking on MP3car.com to see if i can get the answer on the extended IDE cable though?!

 

Can you get the DVD in and out with the shifter in the way, though

 

i wonder if you could rework this area a bit and fit in a couple more gauges? that would prevent folks from having to replace the stock gauges or add a grotesque set of pillar gauges maybe dual AFR gauges or something?

 

u know, i measured that and it clears barely.

 

Consider using a slot loading dvd drive, preferably the drives made for notebook machines. you can find notebook ide TO standard ide connectors on ebay.

this way, all you would essentially need to do is cut out a ~4.5" horizontal slit on the factory trim piece. plus loading and unloading disc would look real slick.

just my 2 c.

edit: just noticed you wanted to drop in the XBOX dvdrom drive in there. Those drives have a particular firmware that allows them to play games. so if you swapped out the original XBOX dvd drive for any other brand one, your games wont play anymore, and possibly other media as well.

i have seen what youre taking about, and honestly, you dont really want the xbox dvd tray sticking out of your dash. thats 'negro-rigged' hook up the xbox proper and mod it, then drop in a hard disk and keep all your media stored on that..and you wont need to hack up your dash.

i think you should consider a car pc instead of XBOX so you can do the slot loading drive idea. why play games when you got a Z to drive?

 

it could be done. just have the dvd box hold up the white ac thingy