CarPC in Jeep Cherokee

**duger** · 02-02-2005, 06:55 PM

I am considering installing a carpc in my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'm quite adept at using computers, but not so much at building them. I really don't know very much about cars either. I'm fairly good at things involving electronics and mechanics, so i'm confident that I could handle the wiring and such.
But I haven't been able to find a very good "guide" or "tutorial" on building a carpc. I've been looking through this forum for a while, and most of you seem to know what you're talking about. I was hoping some of you could give me some ideas as to how I could go about setting up the PC in my car and the basic supplies needed.

Here are a couple of pictures of where I would like to install the screen. I haven't taken the dash out yet, but ideally, I would like to install the computer behind the screen (space permitting) and a DVD player perhaps in the center console.

Also, if anyone has installed a carpc in a Jeep or similar car, I would be glad to hear any ideas you have/troubles you came across/etc.
Thank you all for your help, sorry if this post is a little long.

**marley1** · 02-02-2005, 07:24 PM

hello felll Jeep owner.

I have a 99 Grand Cherokee, and i have been planning a carputer for a while.

Their jsut isn't enough room to place a molded 7inch screeen or a computer inside the dash.

What i plan to do is grab an in-dash lcd touchscreen like so

http://www.digitalww.com/DWW-7VGA.htm

Now the stock headunit size is 1.5 din. So that will take up 1 din of it, the other 1/2 din i think im gonna put a DVD player right their so i dont have to reach anywhere to put one in.

Now i will have the computer under the rear seat, in one of the little cases(on ebay if you type in mini itx their is a nice white or black case) about 80 bucks. In that i will have a 1ghz c3, 512, 60gig and so.

Under the rear seat their is alot of room, if you go to www.wjjeeps.com then audio upgrade and look for the amp install. If you cut the stupid sheet metal that serves no purpose, their is ample room.

It will go under their, and i will run a usb hub up to the front, and usb and power for hte dvd and screen.

For input i was thinkin a IR reciever something simple.

Power i will be doinga M1-ATX from this site.

Alot of people have done some with the Grand Cherokee, do a search here, you will see, another guy is doing one with teh new mac, and will be molding a screen in.

**knubile** · 02-02-2005, 09:10 PM

duger, can you post some pics of what it looks like behind the stock stereo? How much space is behind there?

**marley1** · 02-02-2005, 09:23 PM

this is what i found for a pic

http://www.wjjeeps.com/radio_remove3.jpg

not alot of room

**Distorted_Axis** · 02-02-2005, 09:50 PM

You and I are in the same boat. I’m attempting to do the same thing. I’ve been researching this a lot in my spare time. In my recent

on

and around these boards I've managed to come across these links. Hope these help you.

1.) this is my favorite install here. Looks like this person decided to lose the center vents along with the factory radio. In their place a very well done (I must say) custom made fiberglass / bondo LCD bezel. (this is what I’m hoping to duplicate with an 8 inch TS LCD.)

2.) here. is another install. This person took slightly different approach. Also choosing to loose the center vents, but keeping the headunit intact and bulding in a “pull-out” touch screen. (I’m personally not to fond of this install -- but hey, it works.

)

3.) here. is yet another install. I like the idea behind this… but I think it needed some work.

I had an idea to do something like this instead. but the fact that the TS is too far away to reach comfortably while driving would cause problems later on.

Here are some basic Cherokee installs. These might give you some ideas as well.

1.) Link 1

2.) Link 2

Also, do a search on the boards for "Jeep Cherokee" and see what you find. There are a couple of threads with older installs for some ideas as well. Just takes a little time to read through all the threads is all.

(Edit: Spelling)

**Distorted_Axis** · 02-02-2005, 10:17 PM

Knubile,

take a look at this thread….

Can I still use SW controls with an aftermarket HU? for a picture of what is behind the radio and trim.

**RaVEWHQ** · 02-03-2005, 02:14 AM

Anyone have pictures of a screen inside a regular non-Grand Cherokee?? That's the biggest part that's holding my install up! Dunno where to put the screen!

**phatchink** · 02-03-2005, 02:22 AM

I think the best way is to fabricate your own dash, IE make it taller. The Lilliput was too big for my dash too so I made my dash bigger. It too A LOT of time, but surely u'll be satisfied with the result if u did it right

**Ashlawn Kemling** · 02-03-2005, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by RaVEWHQ

Anyone have pictures of a screen inside a regular non-Grand Cherokee?? That's the biggest part that's holding my install up! Dunno where to put the screen!

If you wanted to mess with the AC/heater controls and the vent below it, you could shift them around to gain enough space to mount the screen there.
http://www.experimentalinsanity.com/case/nova/wire1.jpg