Thread: Where to store the carputer at

chopstick - for the same reasons as you (wanting to keep the back area for equipment, glove compartment for manuals, etc), i chose to put mine in the dash. i only got it put in a couple of weeks ago, and my dash is still in pieces while i figure out the last details, but so far it seems to be working great. and with it in the dash, i still have all the functionality of the rest of the car.

i'll post more pics soon of the final install (probly next weekend), so keep an eye on this...
2004 4Runner #2

late

The trunk is eliminated?!? Why on earth would you do that? I drive a hatchback (alright, its a station wagon), and built a custom enclosure with a lid and everything. I lost maybe 1.5 cubic feet, which translates into a 3" rise in the trunk space. And I'm a college student which drives back and forth to school, too.

But you know, if you wanna take the easy way out and wedge it into the dash...be my guest... (I'm kidding, seriously!)

There is no place better than under the seat!
Reasons:
1- If something goes wrong, you can reach in and lets say unplugg or something.
2- the wires are easier to run - i think -
3- DVD player can be attached inside the compartment between the seats. and if you want you can actaully run the IDE cable to it (but usb is cleaner)
4- put a neon light in the box and make a window, so if anyone asks "what is this"!!! roll up the seat and TADA...trust me happens quite a bit
5 - Easier to remove
6- good ventilation, cold air is usually closer to the floor in the cabin

BTW we will soon release a box that is design only for mini ITX and opus and 3.5 hD, so you might want to get all your parts from MP3CarSTORE of course, and wait for like 2 weeks wehn we release...if u wnat to wait, good luck

BTW remove the four screws that hold the seat in, it makes the job SO much easier..

hope you decide to do this
In dash is cool, and fun, but have limitations, like upgrading...unless anyone thinks otehrwise, i would like to know why

Chopstick - I have a 2000 Pathfinder and installed my carputer in the dash. It is VERY tight and I would not recommend it. There were some benefits to the dash, but they are outweighed by the problems with servicing the computer. In fact I am now looking to move it to a more accessible location since it requires about 1 hour of work for install and removal.

There are several places that seem to be candidates. There is a compartment in the floor under the carpet near the tailgate. It is out of the way, but had no ventilation - so is not a good option - though it could be vented outside or inside with some work.

The second option is the compartment in the rear passenger side. This seems ideal since it has plenty of room for an ITX board and power supply, the only con is that it is far from the front, so cables will need to run further.

Another possible option is the front center armrest console but that will require more hacking that I want to do (don't want to ruin the resale). Under the seat would be too tight IMHO.

I am currently investigating the compartment in the passenger side rear quarter. Potential problems with this for me are that I want the CD up front and therefore will need to convert it to USB, and the cables will need to be extended and run to the front where the LCD is mounted. My goal is to make the whole thing easy to remove and service.

If you come up with a solution that I did not mention, please let me know since I am going to re-install my system soon.