Carputer In Dash Double DIN cases - exist?

**BFarm** · 09-08-2005, 12:33 AM

Hi,

I am new to the forum but not to the carputer concept. I have been planning one out since I started building PCs for myself, family, and friends several years ago. Anyway, I am close to being ready to start on this project in my new car (05 STi).

The main question I have right now is whether there are generic cases or even just metal frames for Double DIN slots? I did indeed search but didn't find what I was looking for.

I feel like I need some kind of backbone to start framing up this computer. I plan to put a 7" Xenarc in double DIN slot with the computer hardware mounted behind it. I'm not afraid of a bit of home fabrication, but I'd like to be able to pull out my carputer with relative ease (remove the monitor, release the double din screws, pull out carputer chassis).

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
BFarm

**Maximus** · 09-08-2005, 03:32 AM

Cases, no.
Frames, sort of, but probably useless.

I know it's not what you're looking for but it's sort of the type of frame you could get. http://www.elkparts.co.uk/product_in...oducts_id/2031

I'm working on doing the same thing as you, it's going to be tight, and I might even have to make the case a bit larger (last option) than double DIN, but on the other hand it will make the unit "impossible" to steal without taking half of the instrument panel to bits.
But the main goal is still a case that fits in the double DIN slot instead of the OEM unit.
Commell LV-671..
Posts #320 & #322

You probably wont be able to have a removable monitor with ease since you'll have to strip the LCD panel from the Xenarc casing and somehow put it in your own frame, but either you'll have tons of wires going from the controller board to the rest of your carputer and/or you'll at least have the flexible ribbon cable going to the screen and the wires going to the backlighting, so I'd say that it's a no go.

Instead you'll have to build it as a single unit, but that'll also make it a lot easier to steal.
One possible solution would be to use servos that flips out their little "arms" in normal mode and when entering the top-secret password they retract, making it possible to remove the case.
But it's tight enough in there so start of with the basics

I had to ditch my 3.5" 200GB "media disk" for space, now I'll have to get a second laptop drive for media.

/M

**BFarm** · 09-08-2005, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the detailed response. I went through most of that thread you linked and found the TMZ Car PC kits. Awesome. Looks like I can order an Al case with monitor installed and it looks quite OEM:

http://www.mechatroniks.com/wrx/ordering.html

Right now, this is definitely what I am leaning toward. I'll probably wait a little while and try to use the new nano-Itx Epia board. That should allow me to fit most of the carputer in that one Al case. We'll see...

**Wiredwrx** · 09-08-2005, 03:31 PM

If your putting it in your WRX/STI, you should check this out

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...bd39c8726b6592

Michael

**johnnywu005** · 09-08-2005, 07:31 PM

wiredwrx, i dont think that will fit the 05' ... well... let me rephrase that... the 05's have a different bezel.

i just did my carpc in my 05wrx (read: not sti)
theres some room back there. i didnt think about modding BEHIND the bezel but the things you will need to consider before fabing is that the HVAC controls leave little to no room UNDER the screen. the lilliput fit well minus the buttons.
i would think... and i stress would think....
that the biggest issue with your idea, not hard but inconvient. is that you'd have to pull part the middle console to access the pc. that would include pull off the shift boot popping up the shift bezel, and prying off the bezelw/screen only then can you access the pc..

just a thought...

if theres a site i can host pictures i'll do it, or just PM me and i'll send you some pics of finished product.

best of luck...
remember www.nasioc.com and www.scoobymods.com are your friends

jwu

**BFarm** · 09-08-2005, 09:57 PM

Wiredwrx, that listing on the mp3car.com store is actually the same product as I linked earlier. It's the same guy, same price, just different resale channels. I emailed the guy from the TMZ car pc kits site and he directed me to the mp3car.com store as well. There are some interesting options you can add to the kit via his site...

I am concerned about the kit not fitting an 05 model STi though. I'll have to do some more research.

**johnnywu005** · 09-09-2005, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Maximus

but on the other hand it will make the unit "impossible" to steal without taking half of the instrument panel to bits.
But the main goal is still a case that fits in the double DIN slot instead of the OEM unit.
Commell LV-671..
Posts #320 & #322

You probably wont be able to have a removable monitor with ease since you'll have to strip the LCD panel from the Xenarc casing and somehow put it in your own frame, but either you'll have tons of wires going from the controller board to the rest of your carputer and/or you'll at least have the flexible ribbon cable going to the screen and the wires going to the backlighting, so I'd say that it's a no go.

Instead you'll have to build it as a single unit, but that'll also make it a lot easier to steal.
One possible solution would be to use servos that flips out their little "arms" in normal mode and when entering the top-secret password they retract, making it possible to remove the case.
But it's tight enough in there so start of with the basics

I had to ditch my 3.5" 200GB "media disk" for space, now I'll have to get a second laptop drive for media.

/M

nothing is impossible to steal, and those that are impossible to steal end up broken in the process. people dont take panels apart anymore they tear them apart. i know my install stolen will be messy for all partys involved. *shivers*
if people want it they will take it or break it in the process.

if the xenarc is anything like the lilliput then you will have to dremel out the casing. well you will need the in slanted part of the bezel due to the fact that the screen is a bit too small for the double DIN slot. (asian guy said "slanted" heheheh) thats for sure and then you will need a point of contact bezel to bezel to hold the screen. the lilliput isnt that bad for wires... two ribbon cords (buy extended/replacement from www.wwdigital.com <--- plug plug) touch screen and something else i think is audio.
dremel out the casing bottom and keep the screw holes in contact so that you can screw and unscrew the case together when needed (protection and convience.)

im not sure if this helps but that what i did...
oh yeah, hot glue and plastic puddy is your friend..
dont fear hot glue!!

JWU

**Wiredwrx** · 09-09-2005, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by BFarm

Wiredwrx, that listing on the mp3car.com store is actually the same product as I linked earlier. It's the same guy, same price, just different resale channels. I emailed the guy from the TMZ car pc kits site and he directed me to the mp3car.com store as well. There are some interesting options you can add to the kit via his site...

I am concerned about the kit not fitting an 05 model STi though. I'll have to do some more research.

At one point TMZ was working on an indash case for an Mini-ITX. I tried finding the TMZ site again (I got rid of my WRX about a year ago, so I haven't been keeping up as much as I used to) but the site is gone. If he completed that, that would be tight. I would then look into modding the case, so that the screen would move up and down so I could access a DVD drive.

Michael