This is EXACTLY what I am currently planning on doing the the same HU! except that I was planning on using the 9.7" horizontal version:
https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-9-...-4gb-64gb.html
Can you please post some pictures of how the screen fits in the horizontal position where the cubby used to be?? Based on the dimensions online and the measurements I took of the room I have after everything around the vents are gutted, it seemed like i could get it to fit horizontally if some of the bezel was covered. I also planned on making a custom bezel around the screen. It would be great to see a real fit check!