MR2 SpyderChat banner
Cancel

Navpod 2023 - Single Din 3D Print

2470 Views 53 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  mztykal, 
FusionMRS
Hey all, new Spyder owner here for about 4 weeks. While doing maintenance and such I found the infamous SpyderChat and saw a ton of people doing variations of different Navpods so I thought it would be a good excuse to finally buy a 3D printer.

I printed out the 3D Navpod scan from thingiverse literally as my second and 3rd print. Went ok, but as we all find, that alone is useless. So I spent the next week learning Fusion 360 and some other things. So here is my 2 week progress.

Printed the original file. Realized its not symmetric and other problems. Made some prototypes to test print pattern, angles, do some scaling/corrections, fitment and such. Although i'm ok with post work bondo/sand but these days i'm lazy and i'll just be ok with spending more time here and working on fixing the print. You can see in the prototypes below, most all have rough edges somewhere from supports or bad angles, but i figured out how to get it better.
Grey Bumper Gas Tints and shades Automotive exterior



Here's basically yesterdays prints, as I'm still tweaking things.

I've designed it to fit a single din JOYING AUTO 7" android screen (no volume knob version).

I was able to figure out a good print angle for quality compromise on all visible sides when printing the front and back cover separately (i had a one point thought it'd be easier as 1 piece but it was always a sacrifice for the front face or back cover in quality). Now smooth at all visible angles.
Rectangle Grey Font Tints and shades Dishware


Instead of redrawing the cover, i thought it'd be neat to just fix the problems with the original scan so I can keep the original wrinkle pattern in the print. And extended the vent holes since the radio will be mounted here now.
Ottoman Fedora Audio equipment Cap Automotive tire


Added the single din bracket at an angle to match the pocket depth.
Grille Bumper Hood Automotive exterior Output device


Added some LCD brackets to just slide in the new 7" LCD.
Here's the Joying auto 7" screen. Fits great, snug.
Office equipment Gas Font Computer keyboard Composite material


Radio with IDE/LCD cable mounted.
Office equipment Output device Netbook Bumper Audio equipment


Radio mounted
Automotive design Headgear Audio equipment Bag Peripheral


I deleted the old latches and redesigned kind of a locking latch that you screw in the the bottom to hide it, and it holds much better now.
Hood Bumper Automotive design Automotive exterior Carbon


All assembled.
Output device Office equipment Bumper Netbook Gadget


I need to clean up that sticky thing from the pocket rubber at the bottom..
Car Vehicle Automotive tire Motor vehicle Hood


I'm still doing a bit of tweaking to refine some things, I'm currently printing a new face cover that completely hides the chrome bezel. But at this point, it's just me being picky about finishing touches.

Everything is print in ABS. I haven't tried any other filament as I may just do a matte UV coating on my own.

I'm probably just going to run pwr/rem/gnd with RCAs leading to the amp to keep wires going up simple for now. The radio comes with GPS, 4G antennaes/wifi and such that you just sticky to the top of the DIN bracket inside. The mic hole isn't covered but you can use a better external mic too.

I know it's my first post, but the Spyder and the Navpod project has been fun lol. I was thinking of selling these, but it seems most the Navpod threads have gone dark so not sure if anyone still is looking for them.
See less See more
10
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
21 - 40 of 54 Posts
FusionMRS
I can see your view, but I wouldn't worry about it coming to market, it's nearly done. I'm just being picky about the LCD position/ hiding the bezel and moved the locking latches to be slightly tighter to minimize the gap between the front and back cover. I'm getting it to the look I want for myself and when I'm happy with that, I'll just reprint several more and get them packed for orders.

I mentioned 1 to 2 weeks because I wanted to pre-print 5-10 units before I offer them for sale and it'll give me time to see how the printer behaves with repeated prints. I think this will be a little different from other navpod threads that have post processes after the print for finishing so it's not going to depend on me having time to do the work per unit. It'll be more like print on demand.

You got to realize, I literally got my MR2 Pink in the mail today, had the car for a month and started this project 2 weeks ago. This week I'll run the wires/amp/speakers and subs and give it a go.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
dev
Nice a Spyder with a system. I am about to install two light weight subs to my system that hit hard for its small size.

ABS is good but for something that will see heat and UV have you considered nylon. They have some very good nylons these days that compete in price to ABS and are easy to print. They offer excellent heat resistance and are temperature stable. They can also absorb dye for good color matching.

Regarding sharing of files. For simple prints fine but for using more complex shapes and materials good luck with that on an easy bake printer you bought online. I would rather buy from a person that has gone though the trouble to get their printer and slicer program to do it right with enough trial and error which is hard. It ends up being cheaper.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
K
ASA is another good alternative to ABS. It would be awesome to share the files, but it's inevitable that someone will steal your design and try to market it. I shared a battery tray design on here and then later found a member of this site trying to sell them on Facebook.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
FusionMRS
dev said:
Nice a Spyder with a system. I am about to install two light weight subs to my system that hit hard for its small size.

ABS is good but for something that will see heat and UV have you considered nylon. They have some very good nylons these days that compete in price to ABS and are easy to print. They offer excellent heat resistance and are temperature stable. They can also absorb dye for good color matching.

Regarding sharing of files. For simple prints fine but for using more complex shapes and materials good luck with that on an easy bake printer you bought online. I would rather buy from a person that has gone though the trouble to get their printer and slicer program to do it right with enough trial and error which is hard. It ends up being cheaper.
Click to expand...
Nice! yeah doesn't seem right to have a project car without upgraded audio lol. I have a lifted Dodge Ram Hemi project truck that has two 10" kicker comp subs from early 2000s that I've passed from car to car. The Joying android unit I bought for the MRS is basically just a smaller version than what I have in my Dodge. Pretty decent radio units. Even connected a 360 camera system in the Dodge to the Joying Unit.

Ah I had just ordered an ASA 3KG spool, should be able to test with it next week. Hopefully prints like ABS. I had tried PETG when I first got the printer, but I didn't like how it printed. It seemed to not flow as well and was kind of this elastic glossy texture. I'll lookup some Nylon info. ABS is nice because it has good flow and prints fast. I just figured i'd give it a UV coat and it'd be fine.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
dev
k_swap_it said:
ASA is another good alternative to ABS. It would be awesome to share the files, but it's inevitable that someone will steal your design and try to market it. I shared a battery tray design on here and then later found a member of this site trying to sell them on Facebook.
Click to expand...
Which is what people don't understand. I have shared files with owners that I know are not in the business of taking my work and then selling items. I let them know that even though you have the file it doesn't mean that the print will give you the same results once you put in the machine as there is a whole lot of other things involved unless you want Micky Mouse trinkets made of PLA from an easy back oven. Sadly a lot of non printer people are under the illusion that it just happens with a file and a machine.
Reply
Save
Like
dev
FusionMRS said:
Nice! yeah doesn't seem right to have a project car without upgraded audio lol. I have a lifted Dodge Ram Hemi project truck that has two 10" kicker comp subs from early 2000s that I've passed from car to car. The Joying android unit I bought for the MRS is basically just a smaller version than what I have in my Dodge. Pretty decent radio units. Even connected a 360 camera system in the Dodge to the Joying Unit.

Ah I had just ordered an ASA 3KG spool, should be able to test with it next week. Hopefully prints like ABS. I had tried PETG when I first got the printer, but I didn't like how it printed. It seemed to not flow as well and was kind of this elastic glossy texture. I'll lookup some Nylon info. ABS is nice because it has good flow and prints fast. I just figured i'd give it a UV coat and it'd be fine.
Click to expand...
I wished those android units could play 24bit Flac files but they dont. Most of them have optical outs which is great so I could feed it into a DSP amp from Audio control.
Most of my collection is now Flac and high resolution so I am stuck with a JVC unit that does not have a parametric EQ and very poor UI. This is why it is frustrating to see and operate the screen being so low.
Good to hear the kicker subs are working. A lot of the old stuff is very good before you got a lot of questionable budget stuff from China that is poor quality.
Reply
Save
Like
jcX4ever
k_swap_it said:
It would be awesome to share the files, but it's inevitable that someone will steal your design and try to market it. I shared a battery tray design on here and then later found a member of this site trying to sell them on Facebook.
Click to expand...
This ^ . I fully understand this. Creators deserve to make money from their designs.

I do share my designs on thingiverse but around 3 years ago, there's this one part that I needed and I cannot find this part anywhere (amazon, ebay, thingsiverse etc) so I designed my own. I wanted to share my 3D design as usual but I tried selling it on ebay first and to my surprise, it was selling like hotcakes. I made around $20k to date.. lol. and people still buy it. Sales slowed down this past few months because finally, there's an OEM part that came out.

I appreciate for sharing the idea and maybe if I have time to burn in the future, I will try to design my own Navpod too.

Things I will change basing from your design:
  • I will try to make the screen closer to the driver so my T-Rex arms can reach it. Screen will be closer to the AC vent. I don't know if this will look good but I am trying to cater my own personal needs. lol
  • Now that the screen is closer, I will make the rear slope gradual so it flows naturally. Newer head units do not have long rear anymore. The Atoto S8 I bought for the RAV4 is only 3 inch thick so it is possible to slope the rear early on.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
FusionMRS
Latest print with ABS, closed the gap a bit more between the front and back cover, also adjusted lcd height and front lcd frames to hide the chrome bezel more. Just got in some ASA filament, so will start new test prints with the new filament.

Car Vehicle Automotive side-view mirror Hood Automotive mirror
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
FusionMRS
ABS left, ASA right. ASA does not print as dark as a black even though filaments are from the same vendor. On the ASA print you can see I've filled in the gap between the front and rear sections in the top corners. Even though the 3D model there is no gap, I had to over exaggerate the corners for it to print correctly. The ABS was printed before I made the corner correction. These gaps you wouldn't notice either way once installed.

I don't know if I like the ASA black color so I'll be running the ABS myself, maybe with just a UV coat or just leave it as it is. I think I'd rather have the darker ABS filament and over time maybe it fades to where the ASA black is now? lol. I'm still looking for a darker ASA filament, right now the current ASA is polymaker. ASA tends to be more finnicky? Still playing with settings for ASA, but I guess until I get it perfect, so far ABS still looks better to me.

Automotive tire Hood Automotive design Comfort Automotive exterior
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
K
FusionMRS said:
ABS left, ASA right. ASA does not print as dark as a black even though filaments are from the same vendor. On the ASA print you can see I've filled in the gap between the front and rear sections in the top corners. Even though the 3D model there is no gap, I had to over exaggerate the corners for it to print correctly. The ABS was printed before I made the corner correction. These gaps you wouldn't notice either way once installed.

I don't know if I like the ASA black color so I'll be running the ABS myself, maybe with just a UV coat or just leave it as it is. I think I'd rather have the darker ABS filament and over time maybe it fades to where the ASA black is now? lol. I'm still looking for a darker ASA filament, right now the current ASA is polymaker. ASA tends to be more finnicky? Still playing with settings for ASA, but I guess until I get it perfect, so far ABS still looks better to me.

View attachment 97614
Click to expand...
They both look pretty good in the photos to be honest. You should probably be painting them either way to give it some UV protection.
Reply
Save
Like
FusionMRS
k_swap_it said:
They both look pretty good in the photos to be honest. You should probably be painting them either way to give it some UV protection.
Click to expand...
Thanks! The reason for ASA is because it already has UV protection vs abs. I will be offering both abs or Asa and whoever buys can do what they want.
Reply
Save
Like
M
If you print one for 3 gauges plz let me know asap. I’ll order it. Looks fantastic!
Reply
Save
Like
FusionMRS
Ran the new wires for amp and radio. Compenents and subs next. Happy with how it turned out.

Also printing up some navpods in Asa and abs. Will post a link for purchase when ready if anyone is interested.

Plant Vehicle Car Automotive lighting Automotive design
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
M
if you make the gauge pod version or find a way to make an adapter for your current for gauges lmk!
Reply
Save
Like
SpyderPBM
FusionMRS said:
Ran the new wires for amp and radio. Compenents and subs next. Happy with how it turned out.

Also printing up some navpods in Asa and abs. Will post a link for purchase when ready if anyone is interested.

View attachment 97619
Click to expand...
Looking forward to this and will buy one when you are ready to post!
Reply
Save
Like
FusionMRS
SpyderPBM said:
Looking forward to this and will buy one when you are ready to post!
Click to expand...
Soon! I'm setting up a link for purchase and also printing out copies of the navpod now. Just got a second printer in today to help speed up production.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
dev
I know you got your hands full but I have started some research for you for the relocation of the double din navigation .

Here is the Midship Garage version.
Midship Garage - 00-05 Toyota MR2 Spyder, MR-S - Center Console

I know some people would be interested in that style but I feel its over the top. A simple swap would look a lot better in my opinion.

The HVAC face plate has insert tabs that push in and I think that could be the basis of making the face plate. Double dins are universal so it can work but if not then the floating screen would also be a good option.

I have an extra HVAC face plate that I can donate to you so you can cut up and measure to make this project viable.
Reply
Save
Like
FusionMRS
dev said:
I know you got your hands full but I have started some research for you for the relocation of the double din navigation .

Here is the Midship Garage version.
Midship Garage - 00-05 Toyota MR2 Spyder, MR-S - Center Console

I know some people would be interested in that style but I feel its over the top. A simple swap would look a lot better in my opinion.

The HVAC face plate has insert tabs that push in and I think that could be the basis of making the face plate. Double dins are universal so it can work but if not then the floating screen would also be a good option.

I have an extra HVAC face plate that I can donate to you so you can cut up and measure to make this project viable.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I was originally going to order from Midship until I did more research and it seems wait time was massive if customers got it, and hear the finish wasn't great, that's why I decided to try it out on my own.

Ah dang, thanks for the offer on the hvac plate but i had already ordered a face plate and extra controls for me to take measurements since I didn't want to disconnect mine since I still want to drive it lol.

I may try to make it so you can just relocate your existing climate controls, but it depends on what options I find or go with for new climate rings around the knobs.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
dev
FusionMRS said:
Thanks! I was originally going to order from Midship until I did more research and it seems wait time was massive if customers got it, and hear the finish wasn't great, that's why I decided to try it out on my own.

Ah dang, thanks for the offer on the hvac plate but i had already ordered a face plate and extra controls for me to take measurements since I didn't want to disconnect mine since I still want to drive it lol.

I may try to make it so you can just relocate your existing climate controls, but it depends on what options I find or go with for new climate rings around the knobs.
Click to expand...
I wish you the best of luck on whatever solutions present themselves. I am certain that they will sell well and I would like to be first in line when they are ready for sale.
Reply
Save
Like
psipwrd
I'm torn between the nav pod and gauge pod. How securely does it attach? Is it rattle-free while driving? What are you doing with the original stereo location?
Reply
Save
Like
21 - 40 of 54 Posts
MR2 SpyderChat
SpyderChat Forum is a community for Toyota MR2 Spyder Enthusiasts to discuss specs, reliability and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Performance Modifications Care, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting MR2 Spyder Main Forum Appearance Modifications Parts and Miscellaneous for Sale
Top