Starting from scratch on a highlander, parts advice wanted

**Parakie** · 11-21-2009, 04:21 PM

Hi all,

I'm rather new to the carpc scene, and have been reading various information on the interwebs in an attempt to get a better grasp of what is needed. I'm not concerned with the computer aspect part of it as I have plenty of experience in that area, but everything else (the hard bits) are still rather hazy. I will be buying a 2010 highlander in the next month-ish, and I was hoping to have everything ready by then; so any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

So here goes:

1. I will not be buying the gps/jbl option exactly for this reason, as it would essentially be a waste of money when the carpc goes in. Cost is therefore not really an issue, as the option was originally in my budget.
2. Wiring. I'd like to run everything once and not have to redo things later, so I'd rather overdo it. Assuming that I want everything and the kitchen sink, how could I compile a list of connections, cables and lengths involved?
3. LCD. 7" should be fine for the highlander, but my main concern is with mounting it for at least a clean-ish look. If anyone did mounting in a highlander, their feedback would be very appreciated. Would this work? Another option is to go to a shop to have both this and #2 done for me, but I have no idea if anyone does this sort of thing (I provide the parts, they do the install). This would also probably be the lilliput transflective, though I'd like an auto turn on option..
4. Case. The majority of cases that I see are miniatx, mocoso ones being the most appealing. However I generally dislike the miniatx format due to the lack of decent motherboard choices, and would much rather prefer microatx - yet there is an apparent lack of car cases (read: sturdy).
5. PSU. I'd prefer a balance of power, temperature durability and features for suspend and such. DSATX?
6. Other bits and pieces like obd2, external antenna, connecting the rear camera, connecting the steering wheel audio controls (swi-x)?

Thanks!

**soundman98** · 11-21-2009, 05:52 PM

for the cables, use cheap usb cables, and just run a bunch of them--my local frys has 3.99 gold plated 6 ft usb extensions(2.99 for non gold plated)-- so my install is full of them.

for the screen, try looking at bybyte.com they have a lilliput double din screen kit that might work with teh mount atht you are looking at.

for wiring-- that is personal preferance-- if you do not feel comftorable pulling panels off of a brand new car, than a shop might be better.

some shops will run wire for you-- but this does vary with what you want them to install, and how busy the shop is on that day/week. most will also recommend using the wire that they stock, so if you want them to install everything, don't bring any power wire.

i am not too much of a fan of micro atx systems in the car environment, just beacue the cases are so large, but to all their own...

you will really need to determine where you want the computer and everything else to go in the car and then determine what you can fit and how much wire you need.

for instance--my computer is installed under my passenger seat, so i only needed 6 ft usb cables, and a small length of power wire, but some choose to install the carputer in the back, but then use longer usb cables...

install choice is all personal preferance-- the only rules are that it must be bolted down securely, and power wire fused properly, so that in the event of a crash, nothing worse happens(like having a 20lb computer case become a projectile, and/or starting a fire...).

for the power supply, i like my dsatx, and would higly recommend it, but there are less power hungry dc-dc power supplies yet.

**Parakie** · 11-21-2009, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by soundman98

for the cables, use cheap usb cables, and just run a bunch of them--my local frys has 3.99 gold plated 6 ft usb extensions(2.99 for non gold plated)-- so my install is full of them.

What about the power and lcd connections? Audio?

Originally Posted by soundman98

for the screen, try looking at bybyte.com they have a lilliput double din screen kit that might work with teh mount atht you are looking at.

Aha, that looks like just what I need in combination with that mount. I noticed that mocoso has GL629-70NP already mounted with the kit, and has transflective options - any idea how that compares to the current front page group buy lilliput?

Originally Posted by soundman98

i am not too much of a fan of micro atx systems in the car environment, just beacue the cases are so large, but to all their own...

I'm starting to rapidly change my mind