'08 Dodge Dakota, Console Fab, Install Pix

Got a lot more done today including mounting the PC to the center console and installation of the HD tuner. It's starting to take shape, I think am going to run a fused and relayed 10 gauge wire to run the PC, HD Tuner & Screen.

I cannot believe how perfect the PC fit into the console considering I built the PC before I even bought the truck. I built it on a solid piece of aluminum for testing but it turned out to be part of the chassis. I fabricated the bar that spans the console to hold it in place. All the wiring will come out at a perfect spot right under the radio.

I also found a good spot for the tuner as you can see in the pic, all the ports are accessible if I pull the dash trim. I ended up using silicone beads to mount the tuner so it remains rattle free.

looks good but I'm wondering how come you didn't move the HU down to where the screen is and the screen to where the HU is?

Lookin' nice, d0tech, scroll up a bit for your answer ;)

I like the location, its glare free and out of sight.

I decided to take apart the OEM radio and it looks like it's going to be a rather simple process to tap into the AUX input cleanly and drop a signal wire out the back to the PC.

Also there are 2 buttons on my radio that are options the radio is not equipped with. I may try to convert them to power / reset buttons for the PC :)

Looks like a LED swap would be pretty easy too, although I think I am going to swap out the LED's in the lilliput to match the OEM lighting.

I was also tossing around the idea of gutting the OEM six disk changer and putting a standard slot load DVD player in there that would interface with the PC. This way I could use it for DVD movies and It would operate like the original radio.

So many brainstorms, so little time..

Finished tapping the AUX input, traced the solider pads with a multimeter and hooked up an extension mini-plug that will be run to the output on the motherboard. The radio has "auto sensing" that automatically knows when something is plugged in. Well without a miniplug in the slot my piggyback wire would not be sensed by the radio. I found that sensor circuit and just bridged the terminals together with solider, so now the radio always thinks something is plugged in and will allow me to go to AUX input even though nothing is physically plugged into the front. The front input also retains full functionality as long as I mute the PC. No wires showing for a clean look.

Here is my solider job (cannot wait to buy a new camera and stop using my phone!)

looking good!

found the antenna adapters today to convert the factory German style antenna to the HD radio module. Bought them from ABC warehouse for $20.

Any new progress?

Oh yeah, I have the system installed, up and running. I took apart the dash and mounted the GPS receiver under there in a little cavity pointing out the windshield. I purchased an antenna splitter so I can use the OEM radio or the HD radio, and did my first live road test yesterday. I still need to add some more hardware like the wifi card, USB hub, storage drive and HDTV tuner. Also still debating on how to finish the bezel.

Only problems I ran into are some ground loop and noise issues, but I am not surprised since I just hooked up everything to an OEM 20 amp power circuit for testing purposes. I am pulling everything back out today to wire properly, add hardware and further tune the system. The HD radio does sound phenomenal compared to the OEM tuner even with some low level noise present, I forgot how good and clear this tuner is.

Anyway I'll have some more pics up soon! Going to find a spot to mount the HDTV tuner (stand alone using lilliput video input) and think about how/where to add a physical input device.

I know you've already made hug headway on your setup, but I think it would be better to swap the HU and the PC screen. Put the PC screen at the top and the HU at the bottom. You'll be using the screen alot more then the HU so might as well put it out the way. Unless your trying to avoid heavy modding. Does look good though. I love your metal work skills.