PC for the truck (MP3's-GPS-Weather-dvd's)

[Shagnasty]

I'm new to the forum, and have learned a lot from ya'll. I just purchased some spindles for my 2x explorer, and will perform a TT and SOA conversion shortly. But the real deal is I want to take out the stock sound system, and build up a pc for the X. I'm a networking engineer for VERIZON and figured it'd be a great use for the extra pc junk my girl wants out. My question is: the Double DIN is a little too short for the touch screen lcd I wanna buy, and I was wondering if I could cut out the plastic below it (just above the air controlls) and mount it a little deeper than flush; then fab some type of adapter to fill in the extra space. What I'm really getting at, is who has taken that facia off and is there something right behind that area that would prevent me from doin that?

 

[Shagnasty]

No ideas?

 

[yob_yeknom]

There is a piece that the radio sits on, but it's just screwed in there. Nothing else besides empty space.

 

[Shagnasty]

Sweet! I may be getting a 10 in sceen to do it though.. in which case it'll be custom overhead console time.

 

[Mp3SUV]

hey there. i have a 93 with a carputer in it. ive been doing this stuff for 4 years now and i love having thousands of songs at my fingertips. if you havent already, go to Dead Link Removed and learn about the whole mp3 car process, search and you will find all the info and there are a few articles on dash mounting for lcd's. i have mine sitting on the floor, but i am thinking about moving it to be overhead (still weary about due to security reasons). i go by RaZor on the mp3car forum. check out my sounddomain site for pics. if you need anything, give me a holler! i would be more than happy to help!!

 

[X24]

can you guys with the computers tell me some of the ways to hook something like that into your deck? Do you need a special deck with inputs or are there other ways of doing it? I have an EQ that has an input but that will only play on the speakers that are hooked up on it which is only my subs so that wont work and I would like to have more control over everything by using he radio Also, those touch screens... what do they go for and i'm assuming you need special software to make them work. Will the work on any OS? What are some of the major things I need to do to hook one up? Ive got a 350mHz AMD K6-2 IBM aptiva with 6GB HD laying around. It has a network card so I will be able to hook it up to my home network to transfer music. I really want to do this but I dont really know all the details yet. Thanks.

 

[Shagnasty]

The touch screen lcd I found was $650. However, I've got a new plan. I have a duron 1ghz w mobo that I got for 79 a week ago, and I've also got an ATI all in wonder with tv out. Any car audio shop has the cheaper lower res tv lcd's for around 100-150. Even though the res. is crap comparitively speaking, I think I can still manage pretty well. I don't really need to be able to read the icon to select it. I've also bought a cheap roller ball mouse to take apart and flush mount inside my center console, and a smaller keyboard that I will mount into a visor above me (I will never really need it.) I will be booting from linux on cd, and saving mp3 to DVD (New dvd burner only 450). This way I don't have to worry about buying a laptop drive that can handle all the bumps. Audio is a phillips card with 4 channel ouput. Then two blaupunkt amps I have left over from my high school jungle drums days. (I call it this cause a girlfriend of mines father used to "ask" me to "turn down those jungle drums!!!" From there I'll be driving polk speaker plates all 'round. Look for a webpage to be posted late summer with complete pics and "how to"... that is... if the whole monitor thing works out. If not... I don't feel like throwing 650 at a hobby.

 

[espnfreak]

Thanks for mp3car.com, thats a awesome resource. i'm gonna snoop around it awhile and get some ideas.

 

[Mp3SUV]

98FordX24: i have my carputer hooked up through my deck using aux. input. Its a Pioneer Premier deck. From the carputer, i got a Gold Plated 1/8 plug to 2 RCA from Radio Shack to convert the sizes, then ran monster cable to the aux. input on my deck.
With the computer that you already have you will need a few things...a.) way to control changing songs (IrMan, key pad, keyboard, etc) b.) visual (LCD, or character LCD) c.) power to the computer (power inverter or dc-dc power supply) d.) software to play the music (Winamp). I am using a NIC to upload songs to the carputer, i love networking!

 

[X24]

Thanks mp3suv. I just have a few more questions. I have a JVC deck. How would I hook it up to that, though the antenna? How is the quality of that? I already have a 400/800 power inverter installed, will that be enough? I really like the idea of a touch screen. Where would I get software or a driver to use the touchscreen, or is it plug and play (wishful thinking)? What is IrMan? The computer has Win98, music software, and already has a NIC, I will just run another line off my router into my garage to upload songs.

 

[DarkFox1]

mp3car.com is a great site.. mp3suv, I've been looking at your ride for a LONG time.. I just now finished installing a 5.6" LCD in my upper console, and I have an afermarket deck with aux input, not to mention a creative nomad for my mp3s. I'm slowly working multimedia into my ride, I must say you were sort of an inspiration mp3suv heh

indeed, behind the deck theres nothing.. you could EASILY put a screen there. but if you want to modify the belzel.. fiberglass might be the best way to go

 

[Cybrmartian]

I have been pondering the construction of a PC for my truck for a few months now. I am also a network Engineer and have had the thoughts going through my head to build a small system myself to hopefully take the place of my RF MP3 Player and my DVD player since it could do all these functions to include many others. I also had a thought of putting a wireless NIC in there so I could transfer MP3's to My X from home or work since I have a WAP at both locations. I have info for a DC-DC power supply and plan to purchase one but was just wondering if anyone knows how Engine Diags work on the 2001 X Sport? Well let me know how the PC goes for you. It will probably get around to it in about a month when I get some time.

MCA

 

[DarkFox1]

just got my screen install in... heres a pic

http://www.redplanetsolutions.net/picdump/DCP02066.JPG

standard 5.6" LCD screeen in a fiberglass case (thanks to bigtigexplorer for alittle help)

in that pic I'm using the Gesis winamp plugin via my laptop

I haven't gotten everything settled in yet, but.. so far I like it.

 

[Shagnasty]

That is sweet! I just can't do it cause I've got a manual. I can't think of another location for the thing...

 

[Mp3SUV]

Originally posted by 98FordX24
I have a JVC deck. How would I hook it up to that, though the antenna? How is the quality of that? I already have a 400/800 power inverter installed, will that be enough? I really like the idea of a touch screen. Where would I get software or a driver to use the touchscreen, or is it plug and play (wishful thinking)? What is IrMan? The computer has Win98, music software, and already has a NIC, I will just run another line off my router into my garage to upload songs.

If the JVC deck has aux. input, that is the best way. the second best way is to use an amp which is hooked up to all your speakers. they do make tape and fm adapters but i have heard bad things about them and i dont think they are worth your money at all. Secondly, the 400/800 inverter will be fine. I use a 150 watt inverter and dont have any problems. If you hard wire it to the battery, make sure it is grounded very good. Thirdly, i dont know touchscreen stuff that well, you may want to check the mp3car.com forum, i know you can find the answer on there. Fourthly, the IrMan is a IR sensor made by Evation (www.evation.com). You can program any remote and control windows, winamp, etc. I use it to control Winamp for functions like popping up visulizations, changing songs, fast forward, rewind, shut down, etc. Its $35 and i really like it. Lastly, i like the router idea, my friend did that and it sounds nice. heh, upload songs from the garage...so convienent!!

 

[Cybrmartian]

I was thinking of using a wireless NIC in mine since I already have a WAP in the house and at work, I could just pull up in the driveway and be connected to the network at home or at work. No Wires, No Mess and the only downsides would be Yes it will cost a little more and would only be capable of 11MBITS but to not have to mess with any wires and to be able to go anywhere with a wireless network and be connected is a plus.

Matt

 

[Mp3SUV]

yeah, i know a few people on the mp3car.com forum that have done that. there used to be a ton of interest in wireless networking with mp3car's, but its kind of expensive for most people. but if you want to do it right and have the cash, wireless networking is the way to go.

 

[DocVijay]

Check Maximum PC magazine.

In the latest issue (June 2002). The mag always ends with a crazy mad system that's been modified to the extreme. I this issue, some dude mounted a 15" NEC flat screen on the dash of his Mustang. Pretty crazy. Pretty cool. He watches movies and listens to mp3's on the computer. He also has a GPS unit in it.

 

[falconace]

I have a mp3carputer in my explorer too. I did it after accidently finding mp3car.com and was determined to build it. I have 1000's of mp3s, divx, recorded tv shows, music videos, etc. I am about to reformat and reinstall to increase speed and while im doing that, i will add gps, dvd, and wireless network. I really like it, it is awesome. I turn it on w/ switches in my console and have a 5.6" screen. I am debating on the future of my truck, lift or 20's, or save the money. If I get the 20's I'll add more monitors in the back but if I lift, I wont. I will have pics up in a few days.

 

[DocVijay]

falconace:

Sounds pretty cool. Definitely post some pics, I'm sure many of us would like to see. Also, post some technical details. I'm sure there are some that would like the info.