Replace Central Speaker Grill with Sat Nav?

Ok, this is what I'm thinking of doing:

My 2001 V70 has the centre speaker grille which I think doesn't have a
speaker behind it.
I would like to use the space to install a sat nav.
I'm not thinking about the vertical sliding arrangement of a factory
fitted unit, more of a rear-hinged pop-up lid which will reveal a
cubby hole in which will be a (removable) Garmin Nuvi.

My current plan is to simply cut a rectangular hole in the grille
(from above) as big as possible, neatly fold the edges of the grille
in (so that there's a neat edge), and then build a (wooden) lidded box
that would go inside this.

The lid of the box would be covered in leather/vinyl, and when closed
would be flush with the grille / dash.

Ideally the lid would open on a motor connected to the ignition.

My aim is to have a SatNav which wouldn't be visible when the car's
parked, but wouldn't need removing every time I park, but could be
removed if I wanted to use it in another car / bike, and wouldn't have
any of that cigarette lighter nonsense. So all the advantages of a
factory fitted unit, but without the ludicrous expense, and with the
added advantage of beiung able to take the unit out.

Has anyone else done anything similar, or is there an aftermarket
product that I could buy?

Dz

 

Ok, this is what I'm thinking of doing:

Nice idea.

Take some pictures and do some drawings. Then post them here.

I have my satnav clipped to a braket on the cup holder next to the radio on
a S60.

John.

 

I've think I've just seen a picure of what I need: Police Volvo come
with a cubby to install a police radio or a Tracker (Lo-jack) tracker
unit.
It can be seen on page 5 of the Police Volvo brochure:

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/pdf/brochures/PoliceCarRangeBrochureUK2002.pdf

(I can't tell if it retracts or not.)

Anyone know where I can get one of these?
TIA
Dz

 

Sounds interesting, but a couple of points.

If I understand the installation correctly the display would pop up
from that box when needed. If so, check whether the display would
obstruct the view and whether that obstruction would attract the
attention of the local police. Also, since the unit will be in direct
sunlight will it handle all the heat build-up in summer. And finally,
will the display be bright enough to work in direct sunlight.

 

Do you mean I might get pulled over by the law, and given a ticket,
probably by a copper in a V70 with the same unit on his dashboard?

as above, if its good enough for the Old Bill...

Anyone know where I can get one?
(I've emailed Volvo UK and haven't received their 'can't be bothered
to find out' reply yet.)

Dz

 

If you want to get into an argument about whether police equipment is
correct or legal or violates your rights, please take that nonsense
elsewhere.

If you want advice on what will work and what potential problems are
seen with your installation then feel free to ask.

I have no idea what you are talking about. If you want to take some
consumer grade GPS unit that may not have enough brilliance to be
visible in direct sunlight and bake in in the sun, then feel free.

But take your libertarian nonsense elsewhere.

 

This is exactly where Volvo puts their factory installed sat-nav units. Some
slide up vertically out of the dash and others (like the one in my C30) lie face
down in a recess in the dash and then flip up when turned on.

 

True. But their units will be designed for operation in the sun. An
after-market unit may not be. My point is that he should look into
these issues before performing permanent surgery on the very visible
dashboard.

 

Yeah, but come on... Just about every single one of those after market units
comes with a *suction cup mount*. That pretty much dictates sticking it to the
windshield and on the dashboard.

There's very rarely any other surface inside a car smooth enough to use a
suction cup besides the windows and sunroof. The fact that they retract or are
attached to moving doors pretty much rules out the side glass and sunroof so all
you are left with is the windshield.