Thread: Complete bolt in Screen/CPU/HD/PS - indash

I'm getting a 2005 or 2006 GT in the next 4-6 weeks (currently have a 2000GT) and am already in the early planning stages and I'll be ripping off your design for the most part... hope you don't mind =). I will however be going with Microsoft Windows Media Center rather then XP simply because I am a Microsoft fanboy and love Media Center. I have a couple of questions that I'd like answered if you don't mind so I can get a head start on my build before I even settle on buying the car.

So you used THIS Metra kit from Circuit City and cut out the middle piece of the Double-DIN? Is THIS the Super LCD that you used? I looked for the eBay seller that you mentioned but didn't find one recently active with that name but I am guessing this is the same monitor as yours? Do you happen to remember the exact measurements of the enclosure for the PC by chance? I'd really like to start pre-fab on the enclosure and order an LCD so I can have this puppy up and running a day or two after I get my new ride. Could you also let me know what degree angle you have the Hard Drive sitting on?

I work in IT and have for nearly a decade now and I am a PC whiz but I am sadly inept when it comes to the electrical side of things... I know just enough to get myself into trouble. Would you mind going into more detail about how you did the powering for this project, I know you said you used the stock power to the stereo along with the power supply you bought from the store here... is it really tha easy to just plug each end and go? I also noticed you ran a USB cable to the console and was wondering if you think a slim DVD drive would fit in the console in a mounted positions?

This is currently my 3rd generation Mustang and the new one will be my 4th (1967Vert, 1998GT, 2000GT, 2005/6GT) and all of my rides have been stick. I've noticed that the center console by the emergency break can get pretty hot at least here in Houston... when you ran the CAT 5 and USB cables do you just run those directly under the entire length of the console or did you go under the carpet? My only worry with extending cables there would be overheating... as I mentioned I want to mount a DVD drive into the center console via USB so any extra feedback will help out a lot.

I'm sure I'll come up with some more questions in the future but thanks again for your great post and any and all feedback you can give me...

I know you mentioned in an earlier post that you were interested in the push to start button where the power outlet is by the hazard lights... what I was thinking about was putting a USB outlet behind the little flap, would be a pretty quick and easy way to access the system for file transfers and such. Anyway, just a thought. Also, if you don't have access to the measurements for the enclosure you built could you measure the OEM stereo and give me the numbers for it instead? Thanks!

Hey Brad,

Thank you for the nice compliments! Im glad you found this information useful, thats the reason I posted it. Your links are the correct pieces that I used in my install. (im actually working on carPC version 2 for the wifes car and have been looking for another super touchscreen, so thank you for the link!) I would go ahead and order those two items because I know they work for the stang. The power supply is pretty straight foward, Its much like a car radio the inputs are 12v positive switched, 12v positive constant, and 12v negative. The PS I went with is the M2-ATX because it has a built in startup/shutdown controller. You need to run the standard ATX cables to the mobo and then a little 2 wire push connector to where the on/off swith is usually hooked to. Then the m2 will control the PC based on ignition status. The max draw of the P.S. is 15 amps and the OEM power circuit for the radio in the stang is 20 amps so it is a perfect source to tap into. Ive got my highs amp running off another OEM 20 amp circuit that was once the power outlet in the center console. No noise, still works great. So far all my cables in the console have been fine, still work perfect, not the cleanest solution I know, but its working for now time is being devoted elsewhere. I really like your USB plug idea though. I may have to look into that one. Ill post later with the dimensions of the chassis, im at work right now and will measure it when I get home. Any more questions I will be happy to help you out, congrats on the purchase of your new car - your going to love it! I know i do!

Good luck on the fabbin. Here is the OEM dimensions. I made my case a little bit deeper, mayber 7" total. Thre is a lot of room in the dash.

Thanks for the replies! I'm going to get started on the fabrication this weekend and hope to have the project complete and ready by the end of July when I plan on purchasing the new Stang. I'll hit you up with more questions along the way I'm sure...

wa carputer software is that

wa software is that?!?

wa software is that?!?

srry my bad