Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Car PC

  1. #1
    "FNG"
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    63
    Points
    7,367
    Level
    57
    Points: 7,367, Level: 57
    Level completed: 9%, Points required for next Level: 183
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Car PC

    I been debating on building myself a Car PC and putting a screen in the dash. My friend has a pretty cheap setup, and it sounds like a fun project. Main goal is NAV and OBDII and of course having gigs of music would be nice.

    First idea was to move the HVAC stuff somewhere else, put the headunit up top and screen in the double, but moving the hvac i am sure is hard. I need info on this if you have any. I am not sure how the back connects and communicates with the rest of the car, either with linkages or just electronics.

    Then I thought of completely redesigning the dash, put the screen under the vents, taking out the cup holders and all that jaz, headunit in the middle and putting the hvac on the bottom. But 1) the modification is pretty large, and 2) hvac moving again. I like this cause the screen will be the highest item, where it should be. Why should the ugly hvac get the top spot, i barely use it.

    Third idea is kinda hard too. Copy xcntrk75's headunit relocation idea (hide the headunit itself behind the screen, but have the cover located somewhere else, and wires connect them), but instead of below, move it infront of the hvac, and recess the hvac if i could. Somehow keep the headunit detatchable to access the controls. This would be a super slick if i could get it to work.

    I need some ideas and comments with this.

  2. #2
    t3h ub3r m3mber shazapple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Eastern Canada
    Posts
    1,350
    Points
    14,099
    Level
    77
    Points: 14,099, Level: 77
    Level completed: 13%, Points required for next Level: 351
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Theres electrical with one linkage for the heater control. Im sure you could move it a bit lower though. Either that or make up some sort of electric control

  3. #3
    SLi Resident redlegacygt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Danville, Pa
    Posts
    932
    Points
    12,321
    Level
    72
    Points: 12,321, Level: 72
    Level completed: 68%, Points required for next Level: 129
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    xcntrk75 has an awesome car pc setup in his equally sick car, check his out for ideas. IMO its one of the sweetest setups around
    97 Legacy GT

  4. #4
    "FNG"
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    63
    Points
    7,367
    Level
    57
    Points: 7,367, Level: 57
    Level completed: 9%, Points required for next Level: 183
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Quote Originally Posted by redlegacygt
    xcntrk75 has an awesome car pc setup in his equally sick car, check his out for ideas. IMO its one of the sweetest setups around
    Yep, I mentioned him in the first post. His setup gave me the idea.


    Quote Originally Posted by Shazaaam
    Theres electrical with one linkage for the heater control. Im sure you could move it a bit lower though. Either that or make up some sort of electric control
    Maybe I will have to take a look. The slider is definately mechanical, you can just feel and hear it move, Maybe it can be moved. If I could move it where the headunit is normally, and have the TV rotate out... hrm...

  5. #5
    Administrator Huffer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Eastlake, OH / Wellington, NZ
    Posts
    13,377
    Points
    44,297
    Level
    100
    Points: 44,297, Level: 100
    Level completed: 0%, Points required for next Level: 0
    Achievements:
    25000 Experience PointsO.G.SocialOverdrive
    The HVAC unit has a slider mechanism that sits (like a loophole) on top of a metal arm, and that changes the temp. Everything else is dial or button controlled, electrically.

    How big of a screen are you planning to use?
    - Roger - Site Admin
    My signature is now a shout-out to the SLi veterans who keep this site flowing with good knowledge and informative opinion. You KNOW who you are, so keep it up!
    USDM 04 LL Bean H6 Wagon - TANK
    USDM 98 GT Wagon - Pandgrish - RIP; USDM 98 GT Sedan - 216k RIP; NZDM 99 GF8 - retired
    USDM 07 Honda Odyssey - Mrs Huffer;
    Live Like No One Else - Debt Free

  6. #6
    SLi Resident redlegacygt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Danville, Pa
    Posts
    932
    Points
    12,321
    Level
    72
    Points: 12,321, Level: 72
    Level completed: 68%, Points required for next Level: 129
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    sorry i skipped right over it, guess i should try reading with my eyes open... :?
    97 Legacy GT

  7. #7
    "FNG"
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    63
    Points
    7,367
    Level
    57
    Points: 7,367, Level: 57
    Level completed: 9%, Points required for next Level: 183
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Quote Originally Posted by Huffer
    The HVAC unit has a slider mechanism that sits (like a loophole) on top of a metal arm, and that changes the temp. Everything else is dial or button controlled, electrically.

    How big of a screen are you planning to use?
    How fixed is the position of the metal arm? Is it something that can be moved (like where the headunit is).

    Screen? Not sure, but standard indash, 6.5 or 7.

  8. #8
    t3h ub3r m3mber shazapple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Eastern Canada
    Posts
    1,350
    Points
    14,099
    Level
    77
    Points: 14,099, Level: 77
    Level completed: 13%, Points required for next Level: 351
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    the metal arm is fixed to the HVAC, but it connects to a metal cord, which should be able to be moved a bit

  9. #9
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Boulder, CO
    Posts
    937
    Points
    10,682
    Level
    68
    Points: 10,682, Level: 68
    Level completed: 58%, Points required for next Level: 168
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Are you gonna run a laptop and remote the screen and inputs or are you running a desktop? Desktops are heavy, but generally easier to wire up.
    [url=http://www.EastCoastBoost.com]East Coast Boost[/url]

    "Arguing on Nasioc is like wrestling with a pig. The pig has fun and you get dirty" -- Sha_zapple

  10. #10
    "FNG"
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    63
    Points
    7,367
    Level
    57
    Points: 7,367, Level: 57
    Level completed: 9%, Points required for next Level: 183
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    It is all pretty much me learning about all that. A lot of stuff I have still yet to learn. (why am I speaking like yoda all of a sudden....) Anyways, I would like to run a laptop due to it being smaller, integrated keyboard and all (for typing in addresses), and the fact that it probably handles the weather extremes better (or If i want easily remove it). I figure if I just buy one with VGA out ill be set.

    I am starting to look at flip up screens. I figure they would be easier to do. I could always put it up top, and put the HVAC in the bottem din. Decisions...

  11. #11
    t3h ub3r m3mber Perdue's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Barboursville, WV
    Posts
    1,084
    Points
    13,062
    Level
    74
    Points: 13,062, Level: 74
    Level completed: 53%, Points required for next Level: 188
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Awards:
    Activity Award
    If I ever get an SAFC and XM for my car, I plan on getting an OEM triple gauge pod from the WRX's (the one that goes above the center vents) and mounting my headunit there, leaving me with a Double DIN area to mount the XM, SAFC-2, and my siren controller. I believe someone else here has used the WRX pod to move their head unit, but I can't remember who.
    John Perdue
    1998 Subaru Legacy GT
    2004 Subaru Outback
    2013 Ford F-150

  12. #12
    "Proby"
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Ontario CANADA
    Posts
    273
    Points
    10,706
    Level
    68
    Points: 10,706, Level: 68
    Level completed: 64%, Points required for next Level: 144
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points
    Ah , Carputers are something I've been meaning to do for a while. I do a lot of auto-x and have been filming it lately using a camcorder. 90 minutes worth of tape is lame so I figure digital is the way to go. I've done some research on nasoic and seen some pretty amazing setups :










  13. #13
    t3h ch33se Wiscon_Mark's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Plover, WI
    Posts
    9,857
    Points
    43,397
    Level
    100
    Points: 43,397, Level: 100
    Level completed: 0%, Points required for next Level: 0
    Achievements:
    25000 Experience PointsO.G.Overdrive
    http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=22736

    My inspiration to do this

    It would be sweet

    I have enough left over parts to do it too
    ~Mark [SLi Admin]
    2015 Dodge Charger AWD
    2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited, 7 passenger w/ Navigation

    Former vehicles:
    03 Forester
    95 Legacy Outback

  14. #14
    Administrator Huffer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Eastlake, OH / Wellington, NZ
    Posts
    13,377
    Points
    44,297
    Level
    100
    Points: 44,297, Level: 100
    Level completed: 0%, Points required for next Level: 0
    Achievements:
    25000 Experience PointsO.G.SocialOverdrive
    That is a great thread Mark... an ingenius design and thoughtful way of using the silly bin.

    You'd have to cut some slots in the base and "rear" for heat venting...
    Maybe rig up a laptop battery or similar to keep the computer in standby for quick startups? Dunno really!

    But a great place to mount one.

    I'd use a 2.5" drive with a SATA DVD hookup and a wireless keyboard stashed under the seat.
    - Roger - Site Admin
    My signature is now a shout-out to the SLi veterans who keep this site flowing with good knowledge and informative opinion. You KNOW who you are, so keep it up!
    USDM 04 LL Bean H6 Wagon - TANK
    USDM 98 GT Wagon - Pandgrish - RIP; USDM 98 GT Sedan - 216k RIP; NZDM 99 GF8 - retired
    USDM 07 Honda Odyssey - Mrs Huffer;
    Live Like No One Else - Debt Free

  15. #15
    t3h ch33se Wiscon_Mark's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Plover, WI
    Posts
    9,857
    Points
    43,397
    Level
    100
    Points: 43,397, Level: 100
    Level completed: 0%, Points required for next Level: 0
    Achievements:
    25000 Experience PointsO.G.Overdrive
    You could probably use the ashtray (standard equipment in post-95s?) to create a vent

    I'm gonna seriously consider this, I'd just need an LCD monitor
    ~Mark [SLi Admin]
    2015 Dodge Charger AWD
    2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited, 7 passenger w/ Navigation

    Former vehicles:
    03 Forester
    95 Legacy Outback

  16. #16
    Drama Queen 2.0
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Not here! :-)
    Posts
    611
    Points
    9,856
    Level
    66
    Points: 9,856, Level: 66
    Level completed: 52%, Points required for next Level: 194
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Been there...done that.

    I had (2) 12's in my first legacy wagon in a homemade box so I made another box that that sat just to the left of it and looked like the speaker box and it actually was hooked to the box. All you saw was a DVD-CD-RW drive in the front. I had a wireless mouse/keyboard combo and GPS unit as well. The picture was routed to (3) 8in monitors mounted throughout the vehicle.

    The inverter was mounted out of sight along with the Wi-Fi antenna.

    I still have it. I use it as a back-up server. It's just not in my car...

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •