Thoughts on building a carputer on a ford focus 2005

**Gizon** · 01-20-2005, 07:06 AM

Hey,

I'm asking for your help in some trouble I ran into.
I'm thinking for a few month now to build a car pc (laptop based) but my biggest problem is connecting to the car stereo.

The car is a ford focus 2005 (I don’t know what model yet) and it has a built in blankpunkt radio. The radio has no aux in inputs, and the only visible way to connect directly to the radio is buying a adapter that nobody can tell me for sure if it works and it costs 79$(!).

So I need to find a alternative solution, I must say that that I'm getting the car from my company via leasing,
I cannot really make big changes in the car, even replacing the radio is a big deal.

So here are the solutions I have:

- Replacing the radio with one that has built in aux inputs.
- Using a adapter tape directly to my laptop
- Buy a amp that supports 4 speakers and 2 inputs(one from the radio and one from my laptop)
- Use a FM adapter

My project has a very low budget, the only thing I spent money on is the docking station for the laptop (allowing me to connect a video card with a v-out to my lcd screen)

Can you guys help me find the best solution?
I don't mind spending some money (no more than 100$),
But I also want something with a decent quality.

Btw, anyone here with Ford focus?
Im also looking for a good place to put the lcd screen.

Thanks,
Gideon

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-20-2005, 07:58 AM

how long have you been looking on this web site? I believe there are like a BAGILLION threads on this very subject.....and a few people with Foci

=]

**Scouse Monkey** · 01-20-2005, 09:52 AM

Red, i think we need a head 'banging on wall' image!

EDIT: dude, we all start off as low budget but eventually it will take over your life and your wallet! I would suggest reading this forum a lot more than you have. At this stage of your project all the answers are out there....

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-20-2005, 10:02 AM

one thing I am a little confused on is that you were complaining about a part being $79 but then you say that you are willing to spend no more than $100?

yes - I agree Scouse....that would be a nice smiley to have....lol

**Scouse Monkey** · 01-20-2005, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

one thing I am a little confused on is that you were complaining about a part being $79 but then you say that you are willing to spend no more than $100?

Ditto that! And besides, $79 is not bad by the time you look at buying an amp, a new headunit or if you had a capable HU building a link like the alpine or sony ones.

**MatrixPC** · 01-20-2005, 10:09 AM

Cheapest solution without really doing much and OKay sound quality: Tape adapter.
FM Modulator: don't get it.
Aux input adapter: best sound quality and you have to get to the rear of the radio.
Anything else will cost you over 100 buck.

**Gizon** · 01-20-2005, 10:34 AM

Thanks Matrix,

The Problem with the tape adapter is that the car comes with a built in cd, no tape. )-:

is the FM Modulator that bad? i can get a heavy duty (not portable) one, manufacterd by lanzer (pic:http://www.netaction.co.il/Files/Pro...mage/32091.jpg)

is it possible to connect my speakers to a amplifier and the laptop directly to it?

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-20-2005, 10:37 AM

FM modulation sound quality sucks...it's about as bad as it can get.....but then again, it all depends on what type of system you are listening to it on, not to mention the quality of your mp3s

Lanzar doesn't exactly make the best quality stuff either, BTW

**Gizon** · 01-20-2005, 10:42 AM

Damm ):

So the only options left is buying an amp or replacing the head unit.

is it possible to use the amp for my needs?

**Gizon** · 01-20-2005, 11:31 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...948028865&rd=1

What about this amplifier (PYRAMID PB442X) ?
it has 4 channels output, but does it have rca input for my carputer.
how can i connect the headunit and the carputer together?