G3X RV-4 Build Complete

Hello all, I'm a bit of a lurker on here, but just wanted to post up my recently completed G3X install in my RV-4 in case it might help anyone else out.

I went a little down the path less traveled, installing a GTN 625 for GPS only IFR nav and dual coms with dual push-to-talks in lieu of an audio control panel. I know some folks don't understand the utility, but my military and formation flyers will. I plan on flying IFR in it, and I feel like the only non-redundant thing left in the system is the engine. Once I get my G5 installed I can't see a single failure mode that could take out the ability to keep it greasy side down.

Big thanks are in order for a number of people that made this possible. Jim Beyer for millions of little parts and countless hours, Paige (PaigeHoffart) also for countless hours and his electrical wizardry and advice, UpNorth Aviation for great CNC panel cutting service, SteinAir for their time in tech support and random questions that they fielded, and Garmin and the G3Xpert folks who also answered countless off-the-wall questions and built a phenomenal product!

Without further adieu...
Before:

After:

And the wiring schematic and some notes on how I did things:


Album for full-res legibility https://goo.gl/photos/ibs51J34TZsdfboP8

Can't wait to install the G5 and get out there and do some real IFR flying! Thanks again to all involved, and thanks to VAF for all the good info on here!

Jon

NICE! We have the GRT sport and after 20hrs behind the panel I've determined that the navigation page is not very user friendly and is lacking on map details. The Garmin looks way better.

I really really like the way the Garmin stuff is layed out. Very intuitive and very nice for IFR flight. To top that off the G3Xpert guys were a huge help, as was Stein and his crew.

As nice as the Garmin layout is, I still think your plane has the upper hand. Yours has got to be one of the best looking -4 cockpits I've seen, such awesome work there!

Finally adding an updated full panel picture. Don't think I could have added anything else if I wanted! Love my G3X!!

@FitzRX7 Your last photo doesn't show...

If you mean the schematic, shows fine here in the USA.

He means post #4.

How about now? Google photos is kicking my butt.

Good to go!

Looks great and i like your miniature checklist location, i may have to copy that.

The pic in post #4 for me is gone again now...

Reviving a dead thread, fixed the pics, fixed the oil pressure (thanks!), fixed the link in post #1 to take you to the shared album with better res versions of all the pics, and here’s another slightly better pic.

What is the very nicely welded aluminum box (tank?) between your legs? Smoke?

sblack said:

What is the very nicely welded aluminum box (tank?) between your legs? Smoke?

Click to expand...

Yessir! I moved the battery (PC680) firewall forward and put the smoke tank there to help fix some of the rear seat and baggage CG issues with a light-nosed -4. If I had a CS prop it probably wouldn?t matter, but with the wood now Catto I didn?t have much usable luggage with a normal human in back. Now I?ve got room for 50lbs with a 160lb backseater!

+1, for me too.

I like it. If you had put the A.P. on top of the stack you would be right at home in our 8. You will like it, good work. Yours, R.E.A. III # 80888

Robert Anglin said:

I like it. If you had put the A.P. on top of the stack you would be right at home in our 8. You will like it, good work. Yours, R.E.A. III # 80888

Click to expand...

Yeah, due to the design of the bracing behind the panel the AP had to go at the bottom. I honestly don’t think I’d change a thing, it’s been an awesome panel!

Fitz