FINALLY installing 10.4" TS and carputer

[tonkadawg]

Well, I am finally getting around to installing my 10.4" touch screen and carputer. I've had the parts for over a year now, but house, getting married, work and a lot of other bs has kept me from actually doing the work.

Goals for the install:

Screen will look factory
Ability to play DVDs, CDs, and mp3s
GPS
Quick boot and shutdown time
Ability to remove CPU as need

There might be some more goals, but it's been so long I've forgotten them. I'm sure as I progress, I'll remember them and will update.

The first part I wanted to tackle was getting the screen installed. I wanted it where the cubby holes and cig lighter are in the center console. So I pulled that piece out and started cutting to fit the screen.



If wanted, I can get a pic over the weekend of what the final dash piece looks like all cut out.

The idea was to use MDF and fiberglass, but after talking with Dad, we decided to go with balsa covered with fiberglass. He builds model airplanes so he has a ton of scrap and knows how to work with the wood.

I used carboard to mock up how I wanted the final product to look like. Once I was sure of the design (this took the longest part - I probably worked on this for 9 months, on and off), we started building. After about 4 hours in the shop, this is what we have so far:













We still need to finish up the top corner on the passenger side and put in the pieces that will hold the screen centered on the back. Once that's done, we'll secure the frame to the dash piece, cover with felt and glass. If all goes well, I'm hoping to be laying glass by the end of next week.

-Matt

[TurboJugend]

i suggest you wear a shirt when laying glass


just a suggestion

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by TurboJugend

i suggest you wear a shirt when laying glass


just a suggestion

yeah you're seeing Dad in the pics, but I'll be doing the fiberglass and definitely will be wearing a shirt

[Smooth05]

Looking forward to seeing the buildup!

[BassBaller5]

subscribing!

[20"silverado]

nice........

[tonkadawg]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Didn't get much done this weekend with family in town. I did manage to get all the computer components hooked up and started for the first time.



Via Epia M10KII motherboard with 512 Ram (may go to a full gig at a later date), 40 GIG HD, stripped version of XP pro (still need to do the stripping), Holux GPS mouse and an Opus 150 watt for power supply.

I'm still debating on using a GUI that has already been written (probably something from one of the guys over at mp3car.com) or writing my own interface.

-Matt

[Mattman24]

40 gigs, cant put to much on therei have like 80 internal and then a 500 external that has all my media on, looks nice though

[///M5]

I love the balsa idea, using whatever you are used to working with is definitely a big plus. I am curious as to where you are going to put the CD/DVD driver as well. My next install will most likely be a carpc as well since the availability of software for running things active off just a pc is getting much better.

[tonkadawg]

yeah, 40 gig isn't much, but it's a drive that I pulled from an old pc for the time being. An upgrade will most definitely be in the near future. The other thing I'm gonna hook up is a back up camera.

I still need to do some measuring and planning but the idea is to mount the pc (along with DVD drive) in the glove box. This of course assumes that there's plenty of ventilation. The other thought is to put the pc behind the center console and mount the drive under the dash on the drivers side.

[Exalted512]

I dont know what kind of truck it is, but you could put it under the back seat with the cd drive in the glovebox, unless youve got really quiet fans...
-Cody

[tonkadawg]

yeah I guess I forgot to mention the vehicle, it's my 2003 Tahoe. I guess worst case I could put the cpu under the rear seats, but I don't really want to run that much cable...

[tonkadawg]

made some more progress tonight - got the passenger side finished up and also fitted the top :





Then decided that before we glue everything up, we should test fit one last time. Turns out on the passenger side the screen sits about 1/4" too high and hits the bottom of the dash piece. I knew this was going to be the hardest part, but I thought I had it figured out. We removed the bottom piece of the screen bezel and replaced it 1/8" balsa, still too high.









Not sure what we're gonna do to solve this problem.

[Mattman24]

looks good man brings back nightmares, although ur install doent involve much destruction to the dash area

Matt

[tonkadawg]

not much build progress was made last night. Spent most of the time figuring out the best way to fit the 10" screen without hitting that upper dash piece. Finally decided the best way was to forget about attaching the screen bezel to the factory console piece. Instead, we'll be building our own that will install using the factory mounting locations. Will have pictures later this morning.

[tonkadawg]

and the pictures

building up the bottom again:


test fitting to make sure the screen clears at the top:


getting an idea on how the sides will flow with the rest of the dash/console:


bottom finished, screen taped in making sure we have enough clearance behind:


the plan today is to finish the sides and top of the new dash piece and if possible, get the screen bezel installed. Then start lining up the mounting points and getting those built.

While I probably wasted most of the time I have invested in this project - first cutting up the old dash piece and then designing and building a prototype bezel out of cardboard, I think building it up this way will result in a much better final product. Not to mention, it should be pretty easy, now that we have the measurements and all.

[thekl0wn]

Lookin' good! I'm getting more parts together to get started on mine...

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by thekl0wn

Lookin' good! I'm getting more parts together to get started on mine...

nice!!! what are you plans for it?

[thekl0wn]

Originally Posted by tonkadawg

nice!!! what are you plans for it?

I'm either going to do a 7" or 8" TS. Can't decide if I'm going to hack the dash, or go with a custom console for that. As of now, I'll probably only run about a 1 gig chipset as MP3/FLAC is the only thing I'm worried about. I'm planning to run into axillary inputs on an HU (something like a Pioneer PRS880) to get my active control. In the future, I'm hoping to develop a nice clean front-end that I can run active, and have no need for an HU other than the PC.

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by thekl0wn

I'm either going to do a 7" or 8" TS. Can't decide if I'm going to hack the dash, or go with a custom console for that. As of now, I'll probably only run about a 1 gig chipset as MP3/FLAC is the only thing I'm worried about. I'm planning to run into axillary inputs on an HU (something like a Pioneer PRS880) to get my active control. In the future, I'm hoping to develop a nice clean front-end that I can run active, and have no need for an HU other than the PC.

sounds good! I was thinking about writting my own front end, but I have a feeling I will pull one from mp3car.com in the interest of time and getting this project working.