Blue Chip FMS ???'s

[RabidRam]

I've had my Blue Chip box for a while now and love it. The only thing I don't like is the box/wires sitting on the dash. Has anybody done any type of custom install with this box? Can you take the guts out of it, or does the unit have to stay intact in order to function properly? I've seen one post on the TDR where someone did an install in their over-head console. It looked sweet. But I never got a reply as to how he did it.



I've thought about taking out the black plastic insert piece in the bottom right corner of my dash and seeing if the display will fit in there. Only problem is I KNOW the whole box won't fit back there, so if I go that route, I've gotta figure out how to make it work "outside the box" (pardon the pun).



Any thoughts/ideas/pictures are highly appreciated.



Dave

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Sorry for the crummy dirty truck pic but This position allows the ash tray (Remote controll / cologne holder) to function , and I can get her into 4 Lo with the lever juuuust not touching the box.



#ad

 

[NPloysa]

Good job Tim. Did you have to lengthen any of the wires?



I, however, decided to leave it on the dash. I like it being right in my line of sight. I will probably just customize a 3 guage dash pod and leave it up there, just a bit more concealed.



As for actually dismantling the box you can. I did a few times during install. Chip said it would probably screw something up, kind of a way to get the users not to mess with it, but I put it all together and it works fine. The LCD readout screen, glass, and board and wires are all one unit. It then fits in the box with the front and back faces.



The wires may be a little tricky to fish through the rear plate but

I am sure it can be done!



I think it would look good intergrated into the dash, I may do that someday!

 

[aharrow]

I put mine on the steering column next to the four way switch and it doesn't't interfere with any of the dash display and its easy to get to while driving Aaron

 

[RabidRam]

Guys,



Thanks for the feedback. I ended up installing the LCD screen in my dash. If you look at the picture above, my screen is right where the PRND21 is. I've got a stick, so there was just a black plastic insert that had to come out. Given the tools I had on hand (a pocket knife, screwdriver, and multi-pliers), I am pleased with the result. I'll try to post some pictures as soon as I can get my hands on a camera.



Thanks again for the input.



Dave

 

[NPloysa]

Good thinking. I would like to see pics! Where did you mount the menu/program buttons? Are they seperate from the screen now?



Nick

 

[RabidRam]

Originally posted by NPloysa

Good thinking. I would like to see pics! Where did you mount the menu/program buttons? Are they seperate from the screen now?



Nick

Yes, the screen is completely seperate from the box. The best way I can describe the position of the box is by looking at the above picture. If you were to flip the box upside-down and put it underneath the dash (and a little to the left), that is where I've got it (more accurately... after tonight, that is where I hope to have it). The box still contains the buttons, computer card, and little red light. The buttons will be flush with the bottom of the kick panel (is that what it's called?). I thought it would be cool to detach the little red fueling light and somehow amplify the signal so that my whole interior would glow a brighter and brighter red the more I stepped on it. You know... to make my Ram look like it's got rabies. We'll see if I ever get around to doing that (probably not).



This way, if somebody drives my truck and I don't want them to have all the power... I simply reach under the dash, hit the button and turn off the box. They have not idea where the button is, so I don't have to worry about them turning it on. Or at least that's how I invision it happening...



Dave

 

[RabidRam]

Pictures

Here is the finished product. I'm tryin' to figure out how to post pics, so here goes...

 

[RabidRam]

Another pic:

 

[HoleshotHolset]

That's a slick install !!



Makes me wish I had a VP-44... .



Matt

 

[csevers]

That is very good thinking I like the FMS but it is to ugly to have sitting on the dash or some where. If I get an FMS I wll look at installing it like that.



Craig

 

[Amianthus]

DUDE!

That is one very cool install! I am so jealous.



Just one more thing I'll have to do. Very cool idea.

 

[RabidRam]

Guys,



Thanks for the feedback. It was a MAJOR PITA to get that thing in there. The best part is, if you don't count the time it took me to do it, the install costs a whopping total of 3 bucks. Of course, it would have gone a lot faster if I had the proper tools (story of my life).



Thanks again,



Dave

 

[Amianthus]

RabidRam,



It has been said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. I hope you don't mind.



Please forgive the rotten pics.

 

[Amianthus]

Another view.

 

[RabidRam]

HECK NO!

I don't mind at all. Congrats on a great looking job!